#3 - Jake Owen - Startin' With Me - 2006
The first time I heard this song I loved it, and I love it more today than in 2006. This is a very powerful, adult song that cuts deep. This struck me right in the middle, as I too have felt there are times in my past I would have made different decisions. But I don't think I'm different than you or most. Years ago, I learned the benefit of honest self reflection, and it helped me greatly. I remember telling Jake at the station here years ago when he did a show for us I felt this was one of the best country songs of the last 30 years. This is one of the few songs that can make me tear up slightly, and does most any time I hear it. This also has the exceedingly rare ability to grow with you and it hits you differently as you go through life's circumstances. It's about as honest as a song can be. This was very early Jake Owen and that gave this song credibility and him too as it helped us get to know him, letting us way in. Peaking at #6 on the charts, but pay no mind to that, this is about as good as written country songs get. As I put this list together, this was one of the first songs I thought of. Jake is the second artist to appear on my list twice with two in the top 20 (Down To The Honky Tonk #17) Darius Rucker is the other at #15 and #47. This is about perfect.
