# Your Favorite All-Time Country Music Song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583 "2010-07-30T15:02:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/21 "2010-07-30T16:26:47Z")
I lied, one more! O Bury Me Not On The Lone Praire, which I first heard by Cash. Just now heard it again on the soundtrack to She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, which I’m currently watching. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/22 "2010-07-30T16:30:52Z")
If I could choose only one, it’d be George Strait’s [_Amarillo by Morning_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE68Zw5lN-8). Others that are way up there include: [ul] [li]Willie and Merle’s version of [_Pancho and Lefty_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzJAF1BxP4) (songwriter Townes Van Zandt makes a couple of appearances in the video)[/li][li]Gene Watson’s [_Got No Reason Now for Going Home_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le6hDDnObmQ)[/li][li]Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers’ [_What Are We Doin’ Lonesome_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6CCHcJ6-c)[/li][li]Alabama’s _[Old Flame](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otoqv34QCb4)_[/li][/ul] Here’s a link to \*\*Wheelz’ \*\*[_You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWVdKv4-CEg), which is one of my favorites, too. I’m a big fan of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, too – but the songs listed above come to mind first when answering the OP. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/23 "2010-07-30T16:36:11Z")
[Rodney Crowell – I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPi6fW8KBW4) always makes me smile. [George Strait – The Cowboy Rides Away](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXg66boa4LI&feature=related) makes me cry. [Ricky Van Shelton – I’ll Leave This World Loving You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II3cVrOrqMo) always amazes me with the quality of his voice. [Patsy Cline – Faded Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCCKFmdNvRg&feature=related) – 'nuff said. But if I had to pick just one, it’d probably be [Marty Robbins – Don’t Worry](http://www.topcountrymusicvideos.com/marty-robbins-youtube-videos/?tubepress_video=QVTKeVhN1Bc&tubepress_page=1). Actually, anything by those five singers, or anything by Johnny Cash. And Dwight Yoakam. And BR 549. Dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/24 "2010-07-30T16:40:09Z")
**Steophan’s** mention of _Long Black Veil_ reminded me of another one: Roseanne Cash’s version of [_Sea of Heartbreak_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3LSrcKksCo), which many, including her father, have sung, but I like her version (which includes The Boss on backing vocals) the best. If you’ve not heard the rest of Roseanne’s 2009 album _The List_, I highly recommend it (it’s got her version of \*Long Black Veil \*on it, too). I think she’s a criminally underappreciated artist. Just read **AuntiePam’s** response; dammit, indeed! Forgot all about Dwight. [_Ain’t That Lonely Yet_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4cPQ9mHYVo) is probably my favorite of his, but that’s another list all by its own self. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/25 "2010-07-30T16:44:22Z")
_If I said you have a beautiful body would you hold it against me_ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nAVUrq7jvtM/hqdefault.jpg "If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body...") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVUrq7jvtM) I Love the Bellamy Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/26 "2010-07-30T16:46:29Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > [You Never Even Called Me By My Name](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAOVRkSCWmg) > > David Alan Coe Seconded! ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/27 "2010-07-30T16:48:39Z")
> [@Gordon\_Urquhart](#): > > Just read **AuntiePam’s** response; dammit, indeed! Forgot all about Dwight. [_Ain’t That Lonely Yet_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4cPQ9mHYVo) is probably my favorite of his, but that’s another list all by its own self. And after traveling 600 miles (twice) to see him, I forgot all about [Jimmie Dale Gilmore](http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=wlqGS60ht8U&feature=related)! ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/28 "2010-07-30T16:49:17Z")
I can’t choose. I love 95% songs in this thread, and the ones I don’t love, it’s just because I don’t recognize the titles. But other songs I’ll add to the list. (As they come to my mind with no real order) - Tennessee Waltz\* _Big John_ _Guitars and Cadillacs_ _Blue Moon of Kentucky_ _Friends in Low Places_ _The Dance_ _King of the Road_ _Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys_ _My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys_ _Mama Tried_ ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/29 "2010-07-30T16:50:07Z")
I shall have to check out that Rosanne Cash album, her song September When It Comes, a duet with her father in one of his last performances, is beautiful. Another recent album worth mentioning is All I Intended To Be by Emmylou Harris from a couple of years ago. One of her best, I’ve listened to it countless times since it came out. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/30 "2010-07-30T16:55:37Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > One of the first songs I remember loving as a child was Johnny Cash’s version of The Long Black Veil, which probably tells you something about me… More folk than country perhaps, but in the same general area. > Recently I’ve been listening to more bluegrass, and one song that comes to mind is Shady Grove by Bill Monroe. That’s one to play when friends of mine who’re into extreme metal think there’s no speed or technical playing in country music 🙂 > One last one (for now), Ralph Stanley’s version of O Death from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, and especially the performance at the Grammy awards where it won so many awards. Spellbinding. Something about the things you said here made me want to try to locate a Ricky Skaggs a capella version of an old gospel song that (to me anyway) is as close to a musically perfect voice as I have heard. Unfortunately Ricky’s version isn’t on YouTube at the moment, but I did find this a capella version that blew me away. I have to share it. First time I’ve heard of this singer, too! It won’t be the last. [Talk About Suffering (acapella)- John Cowan](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAWOc8a7roA&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/31 "2010-07-30T16:57:05Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > _Mama Tried_ Ah I meant to mention this song! Any song with the lyric “I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole” has to be up there. It gets my award for Most Country Lyric Ever, too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/32 "2010-07-30T17:12:59Z")
Lyle Lovett – [Nobody Knows Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3KeXcRAhE) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/33 "2010-07-30T17:17:54Z")
What’s your mama’s name is my favorite female country song that little green eyed girl line is soooo good. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA_g1u9JvNc) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/34 "2010-07-30T17:19:44Z")
I’m gonna go with _Cigareets, Whusky, and Wild Wild Women._ ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/35 "2010-07-30T17:48:59Z")
I don’t think I could pick just one. There’s just way too many good ones. Actually, if I had to pick one, it would probably be Hank Jr’s Family Tradition. Maybe not the best song ever but singing along to it is fun. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/36 "2010-07-30T17:59:06Z")
I let iTunes makes the call. It’s the Louvin Brothers’ version of [“In the Pines,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWrSg5znyMU) which edged out “Angel Band” by the Stanley Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/37 "2010-07-30T18:15:06Z")
I don’t know, I kind of want to take back what I said and choose a song from either Hank Williams or Patsy Cline. Can’t believe you’re making me pick one song. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/38 "2010-07-30T18:18:09Z")
There can’t be just one, of course, but here are three that are worthy: [Four in the Morning](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptdheQ3W0r0&feature=related), by Faron Young. [Seven Year Ache](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrUs_FWqj9s), by Rosanne Cash. [Honky Tonk Heroes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzDEdtdTHPA), by Waylon Jennings. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/39 "2010-07-30T18:33:35Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > First time I’ve heard of [John Cowan], too! It won’t be the last. He was in New Grass Revival with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn. Amazing singer, extraordinary mandolinist, THE banjo player, and excellent under-recognized guitarist all playing together – just WOW! Here they are doing Holly Dunn’s [“Love Someone Like Me.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1omSJq06jJ8) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583/40 "2010-07-30T18:42:04Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > > [@Zeldar](#): > > > > First time I’ve heard of [John Cowan], too! It won’t be the last. > > He was in New Grass Revival with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn. Amazing singer, extraordinary mandolinist, THE banjo player, and excellent under-recognized guitarist all playing together – just WOW! Here they are doing Holly Dunn’s [“Love Someone Like Me.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1omSJq06jJ8) Very nice! Thanks. I’m familiar with Bela and Sam already, but I guess I haven’t been keeping up too much with their work. Cowan is special, no doubt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-all-time-country-music-song/548583.md?page=3)