2024 was a very interesting year in Country Music as we saw many newer artists have great success and others hit their prime stride – recording their best music yet. There were breakthroughs, and a couple of the biggest hits of the year for any format were connected to country. But in the end, for me these are the songs that really cut through.
Here are my Top Five Of The Year 2024!
#5 – Pour Me A Drink – Post Malone / Blake Shelton –
Many were wondering what Post Malone’s Country based album was going to be like, and it didn’t disappoint. For some, he’s not a traditional country artist, and that’s accurate. But this song and album are right on target. If you’re skeptical, play this and listen honestly. Now imagine Luke Bryan and say, Justin Moore singing this exact same song over this exact same track. Yeah, it’s a country song through and through. Well done by Post and Blake as this sounds great in your pickup truck or your Mercedes. Great song!
#4 – The Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
Every now and then a song comes out and dominates the musical landscape in every way. In 2024 it was this song. It’s literally everywhere. Bars, TV, radio, commercials, clubs, streaming, party’s, and about anywhere else. And regardless if you’re a fan of this song or not, it’s without question the musical hit of the year for all genres of music. And lucky for us, its written roots are in country, bringing us many new fans. This makes you happy and is just plain fun, honest, simple and real.
#3 – Tuscon Too Late – Jordan Davis
This song for me is the perfect mixture of today’s country and yesterdays as well. It’s remarkable story telling, and that’s what country is above all others – and all else. We do it better than anyone. This puts a person, in a place at a time and proves that many times a traditional song and approach, with a contemporary arrangement is terrific. This is certainly award worthy. Also, I feel many old-school artists, both those alive and those who have passed would sign-off on this and love this song. This is just great!
#2 – You Look Like You Love Me – Ella Langley / Riley Green
It’s been a while since country had a spoken/sung hit like this. Spoken verse songs have been a part of us for generations, but most of the time they are sad, or powerful, like Kenny Chesney’s A Lot Of Things Different, or Alan Jackson’s, I’ll Go On Lovin’ You. This is uptempo, traditional, more than honest and just great in every way. In many years this would be my number one song of the year easily. Wonderful song in every way a song can be, and man did this cut through, as it was a big gamble today. But mission accomplished, as from here on in you will absolutely know when Ella Langley is on the radio.
#1 – This Is My Dirt – Justin Moore
This is about as good as country songs get. You believe every word here from Justin. This wonderful story song of family and the modern world we all live in is powerful and moving and he has never sounded better. I knew the first time I heard this song, it was going to be one of my all-time favorite country songs, and it is. Everyone on earth can relate in one way or another, as we try to hold on in an every changing world. Incredibly well written song with a sensational performance wrapped in an astonishing arrangement. This entire song, is simply country perfection.
