Five more of the top country songs of the last three months…

Top Country Songs of 2011 Part 12

20. When I Call Your Name – LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes LeAnn should be back in a big way on the charts. Over the last years it’s been difficult for LeAnn to regain her form on the charts. Listening to her last few singles it’s easy to hear that her vocals are better than ever. Her voice is simply one of the best in country music history. She’s an angel on record and not really an angel in real life, but who amongst us is perfect? I’ll always think LeAnn is great and that includes her latest single. When I Call Your Name is LeAnn’s version of the classic Vince Gill song. It’s about heartache and the pains of going through difficult relationships. I think LeAnn’s sultry, passionate version is a great contrast to what Vince did with the song. Both songs stand on their own. It’s always difficult to do cover songs, but LeAnn seems to have done it really well with When I Call Your Name and the other songs on her new record. Like I said, she’s one of the best singers of all time and that probably won’t ever change.

When I Call Your Name by LeAnn Rimes

19. If You Don’t Want Me To – Ronnie Milsap

One of the biggest stories that went a little under appreciated in 2011 was the great new release from Ronnie Milsap. Ronnie came back with a new record and he said he was coming back to country. Ronnie, of course, was one of the biggest country performers in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s. He racked up more hit songs than most artists even dream about ever having. He has been kicking around the last few years with new music while joining up with some big tours. Now Ronnie is back with a new single that’s ultra-catchy and really a joy to listen to. If You Don’t Want Me To or The Freeze slowly became one of the my current favorite songs a few weeks ago. I’ve always like Ronnie’s classic songs and I think If You Don’t Want Me To sounds like one of those classic songs. It’s a new song, of course, but you almost feel like you’ve been taken back in time to listen to a song that’s on one of Ronnie’s biggest albums. The melody is great. The lyrics are great. Ronnie is still a legend and I wish more people would have had the chance to hear this song on the radio.

18. A Buncha Girls – Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard has had an interesting 2011. His first single nearly cracked the top 30 on the country charts. That’s a pretty solid debut for a new artist. His second single, A Buncha Girls, did crack the top 30 and stalled out around #27 on the chart. That’s not bad either and the song really seemed to be more popular than its ultimate peak chart position. I remember being out and about throughout the summer and hearing this song blasting from boats on the lake, at grill outs, and at local softball tournaments. I was probably paying attention a little more, but it seemed like Frankie’s song about hanging out with a bunch of good looking women was popular with all the guys. The song is playful. It’s about enjoying life and having a good time. And nothing really beats the company of some great looking women. It can be during the summertime or anytime. It doesn’t matter. With a buncha girls everything is all good.

17. Daybreak – Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull. Her singles are cracking the country charts just yet, but this rising bluegrass sensation should break out on the country scene before too long. Her latest single and video, Daybreak, is another great song. Sierra has been recording and playing bluegrass from a young age. She’s still in her teens now, but her songs sound like she’s lived plenty of life already up to this point. Daybreak is one of my favorite songs of the last three months. There is passion and emotion in the vocals. You feel the story of the song as the woman tries to make it through the night not wanting daybreak to come. She doesn’t want to go through the day without the love of her life. Sierra Hull is going to be the next Alison Krauss. It’s just a matter of time before Sierra finds that song that crosses her over into the big leagues on the country mainstream charts. The talent is there and she’s already got the song collection ready to go when she becomes a star.

Daybreak – Sierra Hull – Sierra Hull Videos

16. For The Summertime – Lacy Green

It’s not that I was looking for the next song that sounded like Strawberry Wine from Deana Carter, but when I hear For The Summertime from Lacy Green I can’t help, but get that same feeling. The song is about that young love that sometimes takes over in the summertime. Kids have nothing, but time in the summer. There is no school. There is nothing going on. They drive around with the loves of their lives and just enjoy life. They don’t mind ditching their friends to be alone with a pretty girl or a handsome guy. That’s what being young and being in a first love is all about. It’s all innocent fun and it’s something most of us will remember for the rest of our lives. This is a great song from newcomer Lacy Green. For The Summertime hasn’t become a huge hit on radio, but it’s a song everybody should enjoy so be sure to check it out if you haven’t heard it yet.