worlds greatest dad just released their excellent sophomore album (and SideOneDummy debut) Better Luck Next Time, an album that combines the band’s already-established emo/pop punk sound with some influence from the country music they grew up around in Georgia–bandleader Maddie Duncan calls it “redneck emo.” For the occasion, Maddie has made us a list of 13 of their favorite pop country songs.
“Growing up, the radio STAYED tuned to the local country station,” they tell us. “It sounds very silly, but I feel like pop country music raised me to an extent. Fourteen year old me would probably vomit if they knew this, but it’s now my go to ‘feel good’ music. Whenever I feel down or lonely, I go to youtube dot com and read the comment section under *insert any pop country song here*. I think it may be my favorite place on the internet.”
Maddie’s list includes songs by Garth Brooks, The Chicks, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, and more, and Maddie’s commentary is very worth reading. Read on for what they had to say…
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13 of My Favorite Pop Country Songs (by Maddie Duncan)
“That Summer” by Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks was my moms “hall pass” when I was a kid (yeah, idk), but it meant that I listened to A LOT of Garth Brooks. This song probably wouldn’t get written today, it’s about a young farmhand losing his virginity to an old widower. But even then, it’s nothing like the “she was just seventeen” weirdo rock songs that ruled the radio for so long. His wife helped him write it and skewed the story from being about a married woman having an affair, to a song about a lonely woman learning to love again. It’s sexy and a little dangerous, but there’s an undeniable wholesomeness to it, that when paired with Garth’s voice, gives me chills every time I hear it. Garth is arguably the god of pop country. Even people that don’t fuck with country music sing along to “Friends In Low Places.”
“Goodbye Earl” by The Chicks
Should I have been singing along to this as a seven year old child? Probably not, but who doesn’t love a song about killing your abusive husband. Country music is no stranger to a murder ballad and this one is upbeat, bouncy, and has a cowbell??? Also let’s be real, were Mary Ann and Wanda really “just friends?” Because I think it’s fair to say that two women buying land to sell jam on the side of a country road together sounds like the lesbian dream. The Chicks have always been unapologetic in a genre where other artists make it a point not to stir the pot, which I appreciate. One of my first concerts was The Chicks in 2003 after singer Natalie Maines made her anti-war statements and I remember the people protesting outside the venue (this was in Florida so you can imagine what that was like). I didn’t really understand it then, but looking back now I have so much admiration for them.
“Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn
This is one of those inexplicably “great” songs that no one can deny. It’s the simple and timeworn theme of nursing your broken heart down at the bar, but that simplicity and familiarity somehow doesn’t feel redundant at all. Most of the Brooks & Dunn catalog is pretty “country” but I think this song surpasses the genre in a way that anyone could relate and feel a personal connection to.
“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter
One of the best “first love” songs I’ve ever heard. It’s about growing old and looking back at that time in life when hormones had complete control over you. Deana sings the shit out of it and belts a chorus that you can’t help but sing along to. It’s soft and sexual, but in a safe, innocent, “I’ll let my kid listen to this” sort of way. (A LOT of bare feet in the music video though fyi).
“Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis
“As long as old men sit and talk about the weather. As long as old women sit and talk about old men.” This may be the most wholesome song ever written. I don’t even believe in marriage, but this song has me planning my wedding. It washes every crappy thought out of my head and makes life feel so simple. It was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz who are behind a lot of wholesome country hits.
“Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina
A consistent tour song for me (maybe to the dismay of my band). This may as well be a pop punk song, it’s about gettin the hell out of your hometown and hitting the road with your homies! And it’s got a sing along chorus!! I straight up do not understand you if you don’t dig this song.
“Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw
I get pissed when my partner puts this song on because I cry every time. It’s about putting your loved ones first without regret, even if it doesn’t align with what you want. It’s an uncomfortable and honest truth that the “good guy” doesn’t always win, and he should be okay with that. There’s also a sort of “call and response” steel guitar in this song that I’ve always loved.
“When You Say Nothing At All” by Alison Krauss
This one was also written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and originally performed by Keith Whitley, but the Alison Krauss version was the first I heard as a kid and definitely has more of the pop country treatment. Her voice is so incredibly beautiful and this song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson
A song about the tradition of letting your kid take the wheel for the first time. Pretty damn cheesy, but I grew up riding motocross and it takes me back to learning how to use a clutch and the smell of race fuel. It was incredibly hard to pick an Alan Jackson song, the man’s a hit machine.
“Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” by Shania Twain
I don’t know whose idea it was to hire a bunch of male models that didn’t know how to play an instrument for her backing band in this video, but I am here for it. Everyone loves this song, as well as they should. It’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” the pop country edition.
“How Do You Like Me Now” by Toby Keith
This song is dedicated to all my haters. It’s petty and even has a “na na na na na” organ. It’s about the people that didn’t believe in you and maybe made fun of you for having a dream but now you’re doing a top ten pop country song list for Brooklyn Vegan so how do you like me now, Sean.
“Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson
This is a straight up RIPPER about being “trashy” and proud. It is ignorant and it does not care. This song was on repeat in my moms car and I can’t help but sing along every time I hear it. There’s an unquestionable freedom in knowing who you are and not caring what people think about it.
“It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt
A lesson in self-care; this song is about taking the time to appreciate the little things, even when life gets hard. Make yourself some soup, go get a new tattoo, take your harley for a cruise, do the things that make you feel good. I throw this song on when I’m sad and feel like nothing’s working out, you can only do your best and hope it’ll be alright.
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Listen to a playlist with all 13 songs: