Here at CelebMix we fully support country music, both in America and further afield. We love how country artists are finally attracting audiences in the UK. With UK based artists including Ward Thomas and The Shires having huge success, more and more American country artists are choosing to come to the UK to tour. With events like Country 2 Country selling out each year, this looks set to continue for many years to come. 2017 has given us so many great hits from our favourite artists and some new faces. Here we take a look back (in no particular order) at some of our favourites from the year.
1. Sam Hunt – Body Like a Back Road
“Body Like a Back Road” was Sam’s only single of 2017 but was certainly not forgettable. It was arguably the biggest country hit of the year after it spent thirty-four weeks at the top of the US Hot Country Songs chart. This run broke Florida Georgia Line’s previous records of twenty-four weeks. The song was Sam’s first from his upcoming second album, and we cannot wait to see what else the album has to offer.
2. Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina – What Ifs
After thirty-four weeks at number one, childhood friends Kane and Lauren were the ones to finally knock Sam Hunt from the top spot. “What Ifs” reached number one in October 2017 and has since been certified platinum. The song is a mix of country-pop with some hip hop and R&B elements added in.
3. Lauren Alaina – Road Less Traveled
Although this song was released towards the end of 2016, we just had to include it in our countdown. “Road Less Traveled” was the first single from Lauren’s album of the same name and it gave Lauren her first number one. Lauren co-wrote the song alongside Meghan Trainor and Jesse Frasure and it has an incredibly inspiring message. Also, the music video won Lauren a CMT Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year.
4. Kelsea Ballerini – Legends
“Legends” was the first single from Kelsea’s second album Unapologetically and it went on to peak at number nine on the US Country Airplay chart. The song is a country-pop ballad with beautiful lyrics co-written by Kelsea alongside Hillary Lindsey and Forest Glen Whitehead.
5. Midland – ‘Drinkin Problem
The band’s debut single “Drinkin’ Problem” was released in July 2017 and peaked at number three on the US Country Airplay chart. The song has a very laid back feel to it as well as a traditional country feel. It also heavily features the steel guitar and country fans have praised it for these reasons.
6. Carly Pearce – Every Little Thing
“Every Little Thing” was Carly’s debut single, released in February 2017. The soft ballad which was co-written by Carly alongside Emily Shackleton and Busbee reminds us of some of country’s biggest female vocalists over the years. Country fans loved the song and it made it all the way to number one on the US Country Airplay chart.
7. Scotty McCreery – Five More Minutes
“Five More Minutes” was Scotty’s first single since 2015 but it was well worth the wait. Scotty co-wrote the song as a heart-breaking tribute to his late grandfathers, alongside Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell. Although the single was released independently, it made its mark on the charts, reaching number sixteen on the US Country Airplay chart.
8. Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris – Craving You
This duet was one of the best from country music in 2017. Thomas and Maren are two of the biggest rising stars in country music today, and this collaboration was always bound to do well. The upbeat, catchy song also had a movie-like video to accompany, which saw it rise straight to the top of the charts.
9. Lady Antebellum – You Look Good
“You Look Good” was the bands first single together since their hiatus and it was such a good choice for their comeback. The song which was written by Hillary Lindsey, Ryan Hurd and Busbee is so catchy and uplifting and is sure to get stuck in your head. As well as having a country sound, it also draws from jazz and soul influences and is a real feel-good anthem. Furthermore, the song reached number four on the US Country Airplay chart.
10. Brett Young – In Case You Didn’t Know
This song was released at the beginning of the year and it reached number one on the US Country Airplay chart. As well as this, it sat at number two on the US Hot Country Songs chart for a record sixteen weeks. Only Sam Hunt’s mega-hit “Body Like a Back Road” kept if from the number one spot. Furthermore, this song has since been certified platinum and it’s not hard to see why as it is simply beautiful and we fell in love straight away.
11. Lanco – Greatest Love Story
Lanco has been one of the biggest breakthroughs of 2017. “Greatest Love Story” was the bands second single and was written by lead singer Brandon Lancaster. Country fans fell in love with the love story described in this song, and recently got it to number one on the US Country Airplay chart.
12. Luke Combs – When It Rains It Pours
“When It Rains It Pours” is Luke’s second single and has a fairly laid-back but catchy vibe. It also features some fantastic, funny lyrics which really stick with you. The song hit number one on the US Country Airplay chart as well as the US Hot Country Songs chart.
13. Miranda Lambert – Tin Man
“Tin Man” was Miranda’s third single to be released from The Weight of These Wings. She co-wrote the beautiful ballad alongside Jack Ingram and Jon Randall. Miranda’s incredible vocals really make this song stunning and it reached number fifteen on the US Hot Country Songs chart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12cUm2OwnPs
14. Old Dominion – No Such Thing as A Broken Heart
This song is super catchy and has become one of the bands big sing-a-long songs at their shows. It came out in March 2017 as the lead single from their second album. “No Such Thing as A Broken Heart” managed to hit the top spot on the US Country Airplay chart.
15. Zac Brown Band – My Old Man
“My Old Man” is a beautiful, heart-wrenching ballad, written about Zac Brown’s father. The song is one of the bands most personal songs and truly touches the heart with its raw emotion. It peaked at number ten on the US Hot Country Songs chart.
16. Maren Morris – I Could Use a Love Song
Maren Morris is one of country’s biggest breakthroughs in recent years, following her hugely successful singles “My Church” and “80s Mercedes”. “I Could Use a Love Song” was the third single Maren released and unlike her previous singles, this was a ballad. The song was well received and reached number five on US Country Airplay chart.
17. Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood – The Fighter
Lastly, this collaboration was one of our favourites from 2017. Keith and Carries voices blended perfectly to create a fantastic country-pop song which we still cannot get enough of. As well as this, the catchy, up-tempo beat makes us want to get up and dance. Furthermore, the song reached number two on the US Country Airplay chart as well as the US Hot Country Songs chart.
So, there you have it. That was our pick of seventeen of the biggest songs in country music this year. Don’t forget to send us a tweet @CelebMix and let us know your favourite songs from 2017.
ncG1vNJzZmiblaGyo7nIsWWcp51kfnh5waKeoJ2jqXq0u82gqmabn6q7tb7YZqSuq5mYenN8kHBm