George Strait sings 'Give It Away' with a really strong country twang: "I've got a furnished house, a diamond ring, An' a lonely broken heart, full of love, An' I can't even give it away." When the song won record of the year, Strait went on stage at the Academy of Country Music Awards to thank his songwriters and his fans for the song's success.
Currington's deep, soft voice with these sincere lyrics makes this title track even more romantic: "Don't know what I did / To earn a love like this / But baby I must be doin' somethin' right." Also featured on the album 'Doin' Somethin' Right,' is a cover of Kenny Rogers' 'Lucille,' and 'She's Got a Way With Me,' featuring Michael McDonald.
This top country song of the decade is twangy yet sexy, with distinctive beats to emphasize each description about the girl: "Honey drippin honey from the hollerin Kentucky, getcha flippin kinda trippie like a Mississippi hippie." With the rhyming lyrics, the electric guitar carries the catchy chant about this "Kansas Princess."
'If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows)' is a play on the Irish drinking song that says, "May you be in heaven five minutes before the devil knows you're dead." Featuring Celtic, banjo sounds, the song is about how you have to keep going if something in life knocks you down.
Alan Jackson sings this song as a tribute to 9/11: "Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day." He asks did you weep, did you pray, did you "look to yourself to what really matters." Jackson captured the hearts of many when he performed the song at the 2001 Country Music Awards. After radio stations began playing his live performance on the air, Alan Jackson decided to release the single officially.
Co-penned by Swift and Liz Rose, the song is about how difficult it is to play the "friend" role when you are attracted to a guy who is interested in someone else. The song is featured on her 2006 self-titled album, and was released as a single in the UK and Ireland as recent as 2009.
iTunes |
This top country song is a classic example of a country song gone pop. Obviously about more than just dancing, the song addresses taking opportunities and living off inspiration: "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder...Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens..And when you get the choice to sit out or dance. I hope you dance." This tune was also ranked our 10 Best Country Songs list.
Also ranked on our Top Country Songs list, the tune was inspired by Keith's father's patriotism. During live concerts, Keith would dedicate 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)' to men who had served. Keith sings: "My daddy served in the army where he lost his right eye / But he flew a flag out in our yard 'til the day that he died / He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me. To grow up and live happy in the land of the free." So stand up and salute Keith for making AOL Radio's No. 1 top country song of the decade!