Last week, Rolling Stone released their highly anticipated list of the 200 best country songs of all time.
According to the outlet, a great country song “tells a story” and has a “twang you can feel down to the soles of your feet.”
Which songs made the list, and most importantly, which song reigned supreme?
In 2014, Rolling Stone launched Rolling Stone Country and with it they released a list of 100 of the best country songs. In honor of the site’s 10th anniversary, they expanded the list to include 100 more songs.
“The new list gave us more room to go deeper into the music’s rich history, including some aspects that didn’t get enough attention the first time around,” Rolling Stone said.
The list includes hits from Loretta Lynn to Brandi Carlile to Jimmie Davis to Kenny Chesney.
While there’s a good mix of old and new country in the list of 200, the top five songs pay tribute to the earlier days of the genre.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones came in fifth; “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams claimed the fourth spot; “Crazy” by Patsy Cline clinched the third spot; and “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash grabbed the second spot.
So, who was crowned number one?
Dolly Parton‘s “Jolene”.
Rolling Stone called it the “ultimate country heartbreak song.”
“I was telling my own stories, speaking my own feelings,” Parton told Rolling Stone in 1975. “I’m a pretty bold person.”
Since it’s 1973 release, the song has been covered by countless artists. Beyoncé is just one of the most recent artists to cover the chart-topping song.
Congratulations, Dolly! In my opinion, “Jolene” is definitely the best country song ever.
Please share if you agree.
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