English Encyclopedia
Music charts
Country Song John Denver This 1971 ode to West Virginia became Denver’s best-known opus and his signature song. Nowadays, it’s the perfect Instagram caption for snapshots of any old winding road, but in its prime it reached the second spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and inspired dozens of covers in homage.
Country Song Kenny Rogers Though the lyrics written by Don Schlitz were recorded a few times, Rogers’ rendition outlasts them all. The singer's smooth vocals are a fine fit for the thoughtful lyrics about a chance meeting on a train and how meaningful moments are shared in the smallest and most insignificant of places.
Country Song Johnny Cash Cash’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard chart managed to keep itself on the radar for 43 weeks. Cash said the song was his ‘pledge of devotion’ to new wife Vivian Liberto, and, oh, it was written backstage in one night. NBD.
Country Song Patsy Cline Ironically, Cline wasn't a big fan of this song written by Alan Block and Donn Hecht at first, yet it went on to become her first chart-topping hit in 1956. Cline’s held-back vocal performance is a poetic complement to the sorta-somber lyrics about a lonely woman’s search for the real deal.
Country Song Alan Jackson Few Americans don’t have an answer to the question Jackson poses in this song: Where were you on September 11, 2001? Jackson reportedly felt conflicted about profiting from the tragedy but wrote the song in an attempt to process his associated emotions – and survivors and listeners thanked him for doing so.
Country Song Brad Paisley Famously recorded as a duet with singer Alison Krauss, Paisley’s tragic opus about a heartbroken man’s last resort and the sad conclusion to a one-time love story was certified twice Platinum by the RIAA – a four-time accomplishment for the country superstar.
Country Song Mindy McCready This song was originally written by Ohio singer-songwriter Kim Richey and Angelo Petraglia in 1995. A tragic peaen to one woman's lingering lifelong heartbreak, Mindy McCready's 1997 cover adds a glittery pop sheen to the original's iconic dusky yearning.