Rascal Flatts is one of the most popular country music groups in the country music history. This country music trio is made up of Jay DeMarcus (lead singer/songwriter), Joe Don Rooney (lead vocalist/songwriter), and Gary Le Vox (guitarist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist).

Songs written by the trio have been called some of the most influential country music hits of all time.

Making Of The Band

DeMarcus began his career as a member of the Christian band East to West in 1992. He and LeVox moved to Nashville from their hometown of Columbus, Ohio, in 1997 after LeVox convinced DeMarcus, who is LeVox’s second cousin, to move to Nashville.

DeMarcus then joined Chely Wright’s band, where he and LeVox met Joe Don Rooney, a part-time guitarist in the band. One night, while playing a gig at a Nashville club, LeVox asked Rooney to sit in on the band’s set. The rest, as they say, was history.

The band changed their name to Rascal Flatts in 1999, after signing with Lyric Street Records, and released “Rascal Flatts” in 2000, the follow-up to their chart-topping debut single, “Prayin’ for Daylight,” which peaked at No. 3. The band went on to release three more singles off their debut album, all of which peaked in the Top 10.

The band is made up of the following members:

• Jay DeMarcus (multi-instrumentalist/vocalist), born April 26, 1971
• Gary LeVox (vocalist), born July 10, 1970
• Joe Don Rooney (guitarist/vocalist), born September 13, 1975

Whether it’s romantic, sad, or just plain sad, the country trio has covered it all. Here are some of the Rascal Flatts songs you need to hear.

Love You Out Loud

If you had to pick one song to sum up early rascal flatts’ sound, “Love You Out Loud” would probably be your go-to. It’s one of the band’s Top 5 singles from 2003, and while it doesn’t go in one particular direction, it’s a great song from top to bottom, and it’s the kind of song that gets stuck inside your head for no reason other than it’s just good.

Here Comes Goodbye

Here Comes Goodbye was a number one Rascal Flatts song in 2009 and a Grammy nominated song in 2010. It is the story of a man sitting at home knowing that bad news and a broken heart are right around the corner.

Anyone who has experienced a breakup can relate to this song and put faces to the characters that Gary LeVox details in detail. It is not the greatest breakup song on the best rascal flatts songs list, but it is close.

It’s a bit cheesy, but it’s also a lot of fun.

Mayberry

“Mayberry” was released as a radio hit in 2004, and it marked the beginning of a new direction for the band. It was a style that they would return to on their later albums, with songs like “Bob That Head” and “Banjo.” 

This entry on the best rascal flatts songs list was the band’s second number one hit, and it’s still one that fans turn up the volume on when they need a break from everyday life.

Why Wait

The second verse of “Why Wait” marked the beginning of the next chapter in Rascal Flatts’ career, their time at Big Machine Records.

This pop-friendly ballad was a heartfelt love song under pressure, but the band went all out to make sure they would have a hit. While watching the music video for “Why Wait,” you’ll also catch a glimpse of Carrot Top and Penn and Teller, as well as comedian Ron White.

Fast Cars and Freedom

By the time the band’s fifth studio album, “Fast Cars & Freedom”, was released in 2005, the band was already on the rise. It would go on to become their fourth number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and was one of the year’s most popular songs. 

“Fast Cars & Freedom” was a live sensation, with soaring guitar riffs and a powerful vocal hook.

Summer Nights

“Summer Nights” was praised by country critics for its lightheartedness, though Entertainment Weekly did note that it “sounds like something straight out of High School Musical.” Yeah, it’s a bit over the top, or maybe it’s just over the top enough that you can enjoy it without looking back.

The Top 5 song of 2009 still sounds good live.

I Like The Sound Of That

In addition to Meghan Trainor, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney co-wrote “I like the sound of that,” a number one hit on the trio’s Rewind album, and the arrangement gallops through each verse, with LeVox stringing long vocals across the verses before a harmoniously harmonized chorus. When comparing this to earlier Flatts songs, it’s easy to see where the band’s sound improved.

Life Is A Highway

Although it wasn’t a Tom Cochrane original, “Life Is A Highway” was a major hit for the band on a national level. It was featured in the movie Cars and was nominated for a People’s Choice Award in January 2007 for Favorite Song From a Movie. It’s one of a number of Platinum singles for the band, and many people think it was as good as the original. 

This song is one of the best on the list of the top 12 Rascal Flatts songs. It shows the band’s ability to appeal to people outside of the country music scene.

What Hurts The Most

This song is actually a cover, first released in 2003 by Mark Wills. However, Rascal Flatts took it to the next level and made it their best-selling breakup song to date.

The song went multi-week number one on the country charts and also made it to the Top 10 on the AC charts and Pop charts. A number of the best Rascal Flatts songs on this list went Platinum for 1 million singles sold.

Im Moving On

Rascal Flatts’ I’m Movin’ On is the only song on their album to win an ACM Award, taking home the award for “Song of the Year” in 2003. It’s a beautiful, soulful ballad, with a lyric as captivating as it was performed, as if the singer-songwriter himself had experienced it.

And maybe he did, at least according to the fans who shared their stories with us. This song was as important as “Prayin’ for Daylight,” their first radio hit, because it laid the groundwork for the trio to be able to express themselves in a variety of ways.

Praying For Daylight

Jay Demarcus’ first single, “Praying for Daylight”, was a Top 5 country hit and helped establish them as a force to be reckoned with in the country music world and beyond.

With their polished sound, they were able to appeal to a wide audience outside of the traditional country music audience. It would take them eight years to release a single that did not land in the top ten.

Bless The Broken Road

How do you rank the top 3 songs on the 20 best rascal flatts songs list? It’s a great way to get a feel for how each of us feels about love. Did you ever go through a difficult breakup? “What hurts the most” probably rings truer to you. 

“Bless The Broken Road” made it onto the list of top 100 country songs of all time. It’s their best love song, and it resonates with a wide audience, with over 1 million singles sold worldwide. 

The 2004 hit is still a tear-jerker at live shows, and it’s the ultimate “hand in the back pocket moment”.

Spotify Top Songs

Song Title	Streams	Daily
Life is a Highway	623,886,403	393,788
What Hurts The Most	266,583,140	91,849
Bless The Broken Road	235,197,566	87,615
I Like The Sound Of That	205,116,078	43,011
My Wish	132,818,722	38,584

Conclusion

• Rascal Flatts, a country music trio, formed in 1999 with members Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, and Joe Don Rooney, has left a significant mark on the genre.
• Their journey began in Nashville, evolving from individual music pursuits to forming the band, eventually signing with Lyric Street Records in 1999.
• The band’s discography features a diverse range of hits, showcasing their ability to capture various emotions and themes in country music.
• Notable songs include “Bless The Broken Road,” “What Hurts The Most,” and “Life Is a Highway,” each resonating with audiences and achieving substantial success.
• Rascal Flatts’ sound evolved over the years, incorporating pop-friendly ballads and lighthearted tunes while maintaining their country roots.
• Their Spotify top songs reflect the enduring popularity of tracks like “Life is a Highway,” “What Hurts The Most,” and “Bless The Broken Road.”
• With a successful career spanning decades, Rascal Flatts has become a staple in country music, celebrated for their heartfelt ballads, catchy tunes, and widespread appeal.