The top five…

Top Country Songs of 2011 Part 15

5. Baggage Claim – Miranda Lambert

Baggage Claim No matter what Miranda Lambert is doing she’s making news. This has been a banner year for Miranda. She got married. She released a new album with her co-partners under the name Pistol Annies. She’s had one of the biggest tours of the year. And now she’s prepping for her fourth and sure to be smash hit album. The debut single has been one of the fastest rising singles of her career. Baggage Claim is about a woman that’s sick of all the extra bull her man is bringing to the table. She can’t put up with it anymore and she’s ready to move on. In classic Miranda fashion, there is plenty of attitude on the track. That’s really what it’s about – attitude and energy. You can never go wrong with an upset Miranda. This song rocks.

4. You – Chris Young

Chris Young has really become one of my favorite country artists. He’s a little throwback in his style. Chris could have been around when the influx of neo-traditionalist country acts came out in the late ’80s and early ’90s. It’s 2011 today and Chris Young is at the forefront of another wave of traditionalists. Chris’ latest song is You. It’s another romantic, fun tune from one of country’s biggest rising stars. Chris is riding high on four straight number one singles. I’m sure You will have a great chance to reach the top spot as well. It’s a great song with an incredibly infectious melody. You’ll be singing along with this one all afternoon and evening. It’s a great track and there’s nothing really bad to say about it. One of the best of 2011.

3. All Your Life – The Band Perry

I love this song. It took me a while to become a fan of The Band Perry. I wasn’t a fan right away. As their songs became played over and over again over the last 12 months is kind of forced me to pay attention. Now, as the band moves into their next single, All Your Life, I’m finding myself playing their debut record over and over. This trio is completely unique. There is no act like them right now. Fans are loving everything these guys are putting out and that includes this new song. It’s about love. It’s about new love that’s happening between two young people. I think no matter what age you are love will make you feel young. Even if you’ve been with the person for years and years it can make you feel young and energetic. That’s the kind of love that makes you want to be with someone for all your life.

2. Drink In My Hand – Eric Church

Chief Eric Church is slowly working his way to the top of the country world. In fact, for one week Eric had the best selling album of anyone in the world. His latest album, Chief, became a huge seller and really surprised a lot of people both in and out of country. Eric has always been the same guy, but more people are starting to take notice. Eric has been around the top ten for a few singles. Now with Drink In My Hand he has his fasted rising single ever and the song seems poised to become Eric’s first top five song and I’m thinking it has a chance to reach the top spot on the charts. Eric’s songs take on topics that don’t normally reach the top spot on the charts. Eric is somewhat of an outlaw in country music. He’s different and his music scares people a little bit. I’m hoping he can win everybody over and Drink In My Hand is the perfect song for that.

1. Tattoos On This Town – Jason Aldean

For me, Jason Aldean has been the biggest artist of 2011. His songs have been rock solid all year long. His last song became the biggest single of his career and it still seems like he’s just getting started. Now Jason has moved on to Tattoos On This Town. The song is another winner. It’s about being young and owning the town where you’re from. When you’re young and crazy you leave your marks all over the place. You lay down a little rubber on the road. You carve your name and your girlfriend’s name in the tree. You paint the water tower. Your name is put down in the high school record books. You leave your name under the football field bleachers. They’re all memories and for the most part they’re all permanent just like a tattoo. This was my favorite song of the last three months and it’s still a favorite. I can’t stop playing it.