Best Country Songs of 2023: Staff List

Brittney Spencer, “Bigger Than the Song”

Reba, Aretha, Queen Latifah, Dolly, Maren, Johnny & June. They (and many more) are all namechecked by Spencer here in a languid song that reminds us of the bigger-than-life feels that listening to great music always brings. As Spencer and her glorious voice express, for most major moments in our lives, there’s a song that whenever we hear it — no matter how many years have passed– instantly takes us back to that time and exactly how we felt.  — MELINDA NEWMAN

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

His love may have driven away in a huff after a night of angry words and drunken passion, but Wallen is quite sure that last night wasn’t their final night together in this cleverly constructed, slyly catchy song that spent a record-setting 16 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, snagging top Hot 100 song of the year and also Billboard’s Country Airplay song of the year. Wallen’s laidback, yet confident delivery complements the swaying, finger-snapping track perfectly.  — M.N.

Stephen Wilson, Jr., “Father’s Son”

Wilson Jr. showcases a life arc of trying to escape from — and then recommitting to and finding pride in –his family name. “Father’s Son” is one of a trio of songs on Wilson Jr.’s sterling album Søn of Dad that focus on maturing perspectives on fatherhood. “I used to hate being called Jr./ I don’t mind any longer,” Wilson Jr. sings, his gruff vocal pulling out all the anguish and honor of being connected to his namesake on the lush, string-driven track. — JESSICA NICHOLSON

Dan+Shay, “Save Me the Trouble”

It’s a given that Dan + Shay do happy love songs really well, but duo also really excels at heartbreak songs, especially the kind where they are dreading the pain that’s coming before it even happens. Here, Shay Mooney works up a good head of steam over a woman he knows is going to be trouble before they’ve even kissed. Dan & Shay’s harmonies are among the best in all of music and Dan Smyers’ production with Scott Hendricks shines. Who knew Angry Dan would be so compelling?   — M.N.

Tyler Childers, “In Your Love”

Though Childers has been releasing music for over a decade, he made his Hot 100 debut in 2023 with this tender love story, from his Rustin’ in the Rain album. Childers wrote “In Your Love” with Geno Seale, with Childers’ textured, rootsy vocal lending gravitas to the song’s lyrics such as “We were never made to run forever/ We were just meant to go long enough to find what we were chasing after.” Ultimately, the song’s lyrics of finding love and appreciating time together, however long or brief that may be, are arched to an elevated state by the song’s video, which features a story arc centering on the endless love story between two male coal miners in 1950s Kentucky.  — J.N.

Cole Swindell, “3 Feet Tall”

Though this song arrived late in the year, it’s a massive follow-up to Swindell’s award-winning “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” and his recent release “Drinkaby.” Written by Trannie Anderson, Trey Lewis and Jordan Walker, with production by Zach Crowell, this tender ballad views parents’ divorce through a young child’s purview — adjusting to the jarring change of two parents living apart, navigating new living arrangements, being caught in the middle of a fractured relationship, and the weight of guilt that washes over it all. Though not a writer on the song, Swindell’s vocal conveys an earnest believability. — J.N.

Lainey Wilson, “Watermelon Moonshine”

Jelly Roll, “Need a Favor”

Jelly Roll’s desperation comes from the bottom of his broken soul in this plea to God, even as he confesses that his prayers are a last resort, so “who am I to expect a savior?” Between Jelly Roll’s gravely growl and the rawness of the musical track, the song, which topped Billboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts, is an emotional journey with no resolution, just a repeated entreaty for divine intervention — in this case, to return Jelly Roll’s love to him.  — M.N.

Chris Stapleton, “White Horse”

Written by Stapleton with Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, this bluesy-rock anthem lays bare a freewheeling dreamchaser’s plea to his lover for patience before he fully gives his heart. Stapleton’s signature gravelly, full-throttle voice, paired with gritty instrumentation perfectly crafted for any road adventure, have helped push this song to the top 10 on the Country Airplay chart. This marks one of Stapleton’s loftiest country-rockers since 2016’s “Parachute.” — J.N.

Luke Combs, “Fast Car”

Combs took Tracy Chapman’s 1988 emotional classic for a ride straight to the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, making it the first time a Black woman had achieved that feat as a song’s sole writer. Combs’ love for the alt-folk original, which was named song and single of the year at the 2023 CMA Awards, was evident in the respectful way he stayed true to it, even keeping the gendered language in the line about working as a “checkout girl.” Combs conveys the protagonist’s hopeless longing for a better life that never comes beautifully.  — M.N.