Part 8…

Top Country Songs of 2011 Part 8

15. My Heart Can’t Tell You No – Sara Evans

[easyazon-link asin=”B004Q8LULU”]Download My Heart Can’t Tell You No[/easyazon-link]

This song is brand new, but I’m already playing it on repeat just about every day. I was curious about the song Sara Evans would choose for her second single off her latest comeback album. I have to say My Heart Can’t Tell You No was a surprise to me. If you think back closely you’ll remember this track as a huge international pop hit from Rod Stewart. That was over 20 years ago and the song seems to have faded way back in people’s memory so much so that they think this is brand new from Sara. I think it’s awesome when artists take a chance with a song like this. It’s a great song and Sara really made it her own. After playing this one for a few weeks I think it’s good enough to become yet another number one for the comeback singer of 2011.

14. One More Drinkin’ Song – Jerrod Niemann

[easyazon-link asin=”B003U9ZR4C”]Download One More Drinkin’ Song[/easyazon-link]

Jerrod Niemann has to be one of the biggest surprises of the past year in country music. He came out of nowhere it seemed to have a huge number one hit followed by another huge top five hit. Now Jerrod is on his third single – One More Drinkin’ Song – and it’s looking like hit #3 for the singer and writer. One More Drinkin’ Song is one of those songs that always makes me a little nervous for the artist. When artists sing and write about writing songs it can sometimes fall short with the audience. I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s because country fans just don’t write songs enough to connect with a tune like One More Drinkin’ Songs. Jerrod really makes this one work, though. I have to say this track is catchy and fun and has slowly become a favorite of mine. It’s got a great melody and that is hugely important, I think, for the success of a song. Keep it going, Jerrod. You’re on your way to stardom.

13. Numbers – Jason Michael Carroll

[easyazon-link asin=”B00273UA3A”]Purchase Growing Up Is Getting Old[/easyazon-link]

Here is a song that’s a bit of a wild card on the list. I don’t think you’ll find many other top hits from 2011 lists that include Numbers from Jason Michael Carroll at #13, but I had to put him up this high. Numbers has been one of my favorite songs the last couple months or so. The song is about how all different kind of numbers can really surround our life. Some mean so much to us while others just kind of pass along with the breeze. Beyond the message of the song – powerful numbers in life – the song has a great melody and JMC really sings his lungs out on the track. Jason is on a new label, but he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. You might not hear this one on the radio this year, but give it a listen and see what you think.

12. I Got Nothin’ – Darius Rucker

[easyazon-link asin=”B0043TE8ZM”]Download I Got Nothin'[/easyazon-link]

Darius already has two number one songs from his latest album. It’s early on in the life of the song, but it seems like I Got Nothin’ could be the third in a row from this record for Darius Rucker. The song has all the ingredients Darius’ songs have had up to this point in his young country career. The song hits on the helpless feeling of not being able to be good enough for a lover that’s leaving you. In the song Darius plays the narrotor that finds himself without anything to say as the former love of his life is walking away. The song has emotion. The story is universal and the music is powerful. It’s another great track from Darius and it’s for sure one of the best of the year so far.

11. Love Done Gone – Bill Currington

[easyazon-link asin=”B0043FWF3S”]Download Love Done Gone[/easyazon-link]

For me, Love Done Gone was a pretty crazy choice for a single from Billy Currington. Up to this point in his career he’s been pretty straight forward with his songs. Well, Don’t was kind of a groovy ’70s song, but with Love Done Gone things got even more crazy and out in left field. It’s campy. It’s a little kooky, but somehow Billy is able to make it work. There are plenty of backup singers singing behind Billy on the track and it almost feels like some kind of oldies song from the ’60s. Even the saxophones are going full blast. The song is about breaking up, but Billy gives the melody a little spunk and seems to have another winner with country fans.