When I was growing up, country music was strictly avoided at parties and never played on popular radio stations given its simplistic (and sometimes repetitive) nature; and I’m from the West, so that’s saying something. So, how did we go from general disdain for country music to the genre topping the Billboard Hot 100 with the record-breaking run of “Choosin’ Texas”? It seems like I’m not the only one who has been leaning into my Western roots lately. Whether you’re new to honky-tonk or an expert in red dirt, this playlist is a salute to the country artists of today — one might even call it an ‘all night revival.’
1. Chris Stapleton: “Starting Over”
Upbeat and hopeful, this song invites you to take a deep breath and reset. “The hard roads are the ones worth choosing,” Stapleton sings, inviting you to face challenges head on, even if the task seems daunting. “Starting Over” embodies what makes country music inviting to so many people: his music is simple and authentic, his words come from the heart and his message is clear — sometimes the best way forward is to stop and begin again.
2. Randy Rogers Band: “In My Arms Instead”
A Texas classic, this is the epitome of a country love song. Complete with a mournful violin line and wistful lyrics, Randy Rogers somehow makes you want to cry, lie in the fetal position and get up and dance all at the same time. If you’re looking for the right Instagram note to catch the attention of your cowboy crush, this is it.
3. Ella Langley: “Be Her”
Well, I couldn’t give in to “Choosin’ Texas,” but I have to honor the unparalleled Ella Langley, whose exceptional trajectory is bringing a country twang to the pop music scene. Between “Be Her,” “Choosin’ Texas” and “I Can’t Love You Anymore” with Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley is the first female artist to score three songs on the Country Airplay Top 10 simultaneously, and although her top songs are bordering on being annoyingly overplayed, her lyrical prowess and unbridled confidence are admirable.
4. Zach Bryan: “Lucky Enough (Poem)”
Now, this technically isn’t a song — sue me — but I had to include it because Zach Bryan starts three of his albums with a spoken-word poem; these pieces are grounded in real, vulnerable truths, and provide more emotional impact than any of the following songs. We have lost the plot when it comes to highly autotuned songs with digital effects and alterations, but Bryan honors through his craft that music is, and always has been, a precious piece of art.
5. Turnpike Troubadours: “Ruby Ann”
Though it is a drastic tone shift from the last piece, Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours honors the craft of songwriting in the same way, telling a story praising the “mountain girl” with whom he fell in love and promises his undying devotion. It is a song that you can’t help but smile at as Felker lays out his adoration in true red dirt fashion.
6. Tyler Childers: “Feathered Indians”
A perfect road-trip song (and yet another love song — it is hard to avoid in this genre), “Feathered Indians” is an earworm, so listen at your own risk. A lilting fiddle part overlays Childers’ lyrics and a steady bass line plots along to which you can’t help but tap your feet or nod your head.
7. The Red Clay Strays: “Wondering Why”
If you are unfamiliar with The Red Clay Strays, start here. The band brings an undeniable Elvis vibe to their music to the point where I could convince you that they were a country blues band in the ’50s. With the muted electric guitars and bluesy chords characteristic of older country music, The Red Clay Strays is the modern throwback band of the ages.
8. Morgan Wallen: “I Got Better”
This song and the next have made their mark through the line dancing scene, the latest sensation in the neo-Western aesthetic. “I Got Better” is one of his more popular tracks, blending pop chords and synth with Tennessee twang to appeal to a wide audience.
9. Shaboozey: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
When it comes to a country music playlist, this song is testing the limits. Still, the way Shaboozey merges Americana and hip hop is certainly distinctive, and its popularity (specifically for line dancers) makes it hard to ignore. More so, this song is the perfect example of how country music has made its way into popular media in new and creative ways.
10. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers: “Islands In the Stream”
In light of Dolly Parton’s recent passing, here’s one last song to honor her legacy. Though these two artists aren’t technically considered “country artists of today,” together they shaped country music as we know it today so I figured their most notable collab deserved an honorable mention.
You can listen to the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Gia Lish is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at glish@cornellsun.com.
