For a long time, I’ve been making a list of bona-fide country songs written by musicians who don’t usually do that sort of thing. Recently, a hip-hop guy created quite a stir among purists who insist Old Town Road is not a Real Country Song. I don’t have an opinion about that one, but here’s a few songs I’ll defend as authentic shoulda-been-country-hits.
Don Mcleans “Bronco Bills lament” is very country. He has a few that slide into the genre.
Of, course Neil Young wrote a few country-esque songs that were covered by country artists.
I don’t consider Kid Rock or Sheryl Crow to be country artists, but they did a very twangy duet a few years back. I think both Bon Jovi and Steven Tyler have tried their hand at cracking the country charts. And Shel Silverstein (“A Boy Named Sue”) and Michael O’Donoghue (“Single Bars and Single Women”) have both written a country hit or two.
Elton John tried country on the Tumbleweed Connection album. The album was successful, but singles were not (no singles were released in the US, for example, though one was in New Zealand). However, the track “Amoreena” was featured in the movie Dog Day Afternoon, so there is that.
As one who likes both country and Elton John, I’d say that Elton made a good effort, but just didn’t hit the mark. Thankfully, he learned, and went a different way subsequently.
“Cowboy Dreams” By Prefab Sprout (who have always had something of a country hint to my mind) and…
“Labelled with Love” by Squeeze which is nothing less than genius IMHP
Ringo later recorded a whole country album, Beaucoups of Blues, but I don’t think he wrote any of the tracks.
A couple that spring to my mind:
Meat Puppets: That’s How It Goes
Gin Blossoms: Cheatin’
