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15 Defining Country Tracks
Country music has changed a lot over the past decade, mixing old traditions with new sounds. Artists have added their own taste in music, creating fresh styles while keeping the country’s roots.
This shift has built the fan base of country music and started discussions among country music lovers. The growth of country music can be seen from many hit songs produced during 2015-2024.
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“Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt (2017)
Sam Hunt’s 2017 song “Body Like a Back Road” is a mix of country and pop music. It became No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and stayed at the top for 34 weeks.
It even reached No. 6 on the Hot 100. “Body Like a Back Road” sold over a million copies, earning a Diamond certification in 2023.
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“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line (2017)
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line released “Meant to Be” in 2017, which was also a mix of pop and country. It became a massive hit by topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for 50 weeks.
It peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart. “Meant to Be” won a Diamond certification, selling over 10 million copies of the song.
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“Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett (2015)
An emotional love song inspired by the wife of Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man,” was released in 2015. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, stayed there for 17 weeks, and reached No. 21 on the Hot 100.
The song won many awards, including the Academy of Country Music Awards’ Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 2016. It became a country music favorite, making it Rhett’s most important hit.
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“Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton (2015)
A mix of soul and country music, Chris Stapleton released a new version of “Tennessee Whiskey” in 2015, bringing life to the older version. It became a massive hit when Chris and Justin Timberlake performed it together.
The performance helped him win a CMA Award. The song has passed one billion streams on Spotify.
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“H.O.L.Y.” – Florida Georgia Line (2016)
Florida Georgia Line’s 2016 song “H.O.L.Y” is an emotional and soulful ballad. The song reached No. 14 on the Hot 100 and came in first on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
It stayed at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for 18 weeks. “H.O.L.Y” sold over 4 million copies, making it a major hit.
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“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban (2016)
Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for 12 weeks. It reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It won a CMA Award for Single of the Year. It also got nominated two times at the Grammy Awards, underscoring the wide appeal and delivery of the song.
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“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton (2017)
Another hit of Chris Stapleton, released in 2017, “Broken Halos” is a song about loss and hope. He first performed the song for wildfire victims on a telethon.
His song was ranked number one on Billboard Country Airplay for the first time in his career. It also won him a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2018.
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“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw (2016)
Released in 2016, “Humble and Kind” shares a strong message about treating others with respect. The song was written by Lori McKenna for her children.
It quickly became a fan favorite and won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2017. “Humble and Kind” also came No. 1 in Country charts in the U.S. and Canada.
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“Speechless” – Dan + Shay (2018)
Dan + Shay sang “Speechless” in 2018. It is a romantic song based on the unforgettable feeling of seeing their wives on their wedding days.
“Speechless” gained its success when it topped the country charts and was even played on pop radio. This song is a wedding favorite, making it a special melody.
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“Tequila” – Dan + Shay (2018)
“Tequila,” a 2018 hit sung by Dan + Shay, is an emotional song about love and memories. It became a hit by reaching number one on the Country Airplay chart.
The track also won a Grammy in 2019 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The song was praised for its powerful story in its music video and is still one of the most loved songs in 2025.
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“The Bones” – Maren Morris (2019)
Maren Morris released “The Bones” in 2019; the song tells us about love that stays strong, just like a house with a strong foundation. The track stayed at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart for 19 weeks.
It also reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. “The Bones” won many big awards, including the CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards.
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“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton (2020)
“Starting Over” was released on August 28, 2020, as an emotional track about facing challenges and embracing new beginnings. It became a fan favorite because of its steady beat and soft guitar.
The song had a big hand in contributing to the success of its parent album, with 103,000 units sold within just a week.
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“Fancy Like” – Walker Hayes (2021)
“Fancy Like” became a huge hit in 2021. It was released by Walker Hayes and was about celebrating simple joys in life.
The song first went viral on TikTok and climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. “Fancy Like” became so famous that Applebee’s used it in their ads.
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“Forever After All” – Luke Combs (2021)
“Forever After All” by Luke Combs was released on October 23, 2020. It was a love song inspired by his wife, Nicole Hocking, and was part of his album “What You See Ain’t Always What You Get.”
The song went to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs Chart, and reached No. 3 on Australia’s Country Hot 50 and No.4 on New Zealand’s Hot Singles Chart.
Luke Combs will receive the honor on the Music City Walk of Fame, further strengthening his influence in country music.
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Last Updated: May 8, 2025
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