Countdown Part VII: Songs #436-445

Welcome!!! I know some of you readers out there have been waiting all day for this post, so I apologize if its a bit later than usual! After celebrating Amy's birthday and our first year together, I seem to be coming down with a bit of a head cold. The Coricidin is kicking in strong, so I'm gonna jump right into the countdown!

Don't forget to visit our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and share with your friends! Next weekend, we will be hosting a live chat on our FB page during the ACM Awards show, Sunday night!!! Don't miss out!

BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles of the 90's!!!

445. Martina McBride - Independence Day
Album: The Way That I Am
Year: 1994

I may catch a little flack for this song being so low on the list. I've always considered McBride to be one of the biggest names in 90's country music, but despite being one of her most successful songs, "Independence Day" never really grabbed me like it did so many others. Don't get me wrong, as I do think it is one of her best, and I do believe it belongs on this list, just not as high as some of her other songs will be.



444. Ricochet - What Do I Know
Album: Ricochet
Year: 1995

I don't have any trivia to share with this song, so I will try to make another point here. What happened to "bands" in country music? Throughout the 90's we had Ricochet, Little Texas, Diamond Rio, Sawyer Brown, Alabama, Shenandoah, etc. These were acts where the entire band was the main focus. Today, we have mostly solo artists getting credit with a band behind them who most go uncredited. Sure, there are the Love & Thefts, Band Perrys and Thompson Squares, but only the lead 2 or 3 members get the credit. Just a little something that I think about.



443. Joe Diffie - A Night To Remember
Album: A Night To Remember
Year: 1999

"Night" was not only the lead single from his finally album of the 90's, but marked his first and only appearance on Billboard's overall Top 40 chart, peaking at #38. "A Night To Remember" was ranked at #18 for the most played country song of 1999.



442. Diamond Rio - Walkin' Away
Album: IV
Year: 1995

Speaking of great country bands throughout the 90's, Diamond Rio are hands down one of the best! "Walking' Away" was the lead single from the group's 4th studio album. The track reached #2 on the Hot Country Charts.



441. Hal Ketchum - Sure Love
Album: Sure Love
Year: 1992

Hal nearly hit the top the Hot Country Charts a handful of times throughout the 90's In 1998, Ketchum lost function of the left side of his body due to a neurological disorder. After re-teacing himself to walk and play guitar, Ketchum continues his music career, with his most current album having been released in 2008.



440. Andy Griggs - I'll Go Crazy
Album: You Won't Ever Be Lonely
Year: 1999

Griggs took "Crazy" to #10 on the charts in 1999. He would continue to chart 4 more top 10s in the early 2000's. This would be the 2nd and final single released by Griggs in the 90's.



439. Marty Stuart - Burn Me Down
Album: Tempted
Year: 1992

This Stuart hit has always made a link between his own and the music of Elvis Presley in my opinion. Marty has that rockabilly edge that early Elvis showed, and I've always envisioned "The King" performing this track if the writers were around in the beginnings of rock n' roll.



438. John Berry - Standing On The Edge of Goodbye
Album: Standing On The Edge
Year: 1995

"Goodbye" was Berry's 2nd highest ranking songs of not only the 90's, but his career so far. While Berry hasn't charted any singles after 1999, hopefully the nearing (fingers crossed!) revival of more tradition in country music will help him to head towards the top again.



437. Reba McEntire - Till You Love Me
Album: Read My Mind
Year: 1994

If anyone were asked if George Strait had a female equal in country music throughout the 90's, Reba is without a doubt the "Queen" to his "King". Both artists started in the 70's, broke through in the 80's and absolutely exploded through the 90's. Like George, Reba has easily continued with hits into the 2000's and today. Reba is another artist who I didn't ever find a real connection with while growing up on country music, but today, can absolutely respect everything she has done. Heck, even her sitcom "Reba" gets a chuckle out of me here and there when I'm skimming the channels! Ha!



436. Toby Keith - Big Ol' Truck
Album: Boomtown
Year: 1995

Ok, this entry in our countdown has been pretty heavy on the slow stuff, so let's crank it up a bit, shall we? Country music, especially in its modern form is LOADED with songs about trucks and how much guys love them. What we rarely see, are songs about women loving and driving their own "Big Ol' Trucks".  Toby delivers a fun song with an entertaining video for the final single on his album, "Boomtown".  "Truck" would peak at #15. Far from typical Toby success, but a good single, regardless.




Another 10 songs in the can! Again, my apologies for the late post as I deal with this head cold. I haven't decided yet, but next weeks blog MAY be posted on Saturday, due to the ACM Awards show taking place Sunday night. Perhaps you guys can crank up the Facebook page sharing and get us up to 300 by the end of the week! If so, my offer of posting a huge 20 song update is still on the table!

Don't forget to join us, this Sunday, April the 19th on our Facebook page for a live chat/commentary during the ACM Awards! The more the merrier! Invite friends, share and enjoy! Thanks for reading, as always!

-Arthur Born
Facebook.com/BORNCountryBlog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
E-Mail: borncountryblog@gmail.com
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Countdown Part V: 456-465, Plus more!

Here we are, topping off the first 50 songs of our 505 Favorite Country Single's of the 90's list. I don't know about you guys reading it, but it seems to be flying by for me!

Before we get into this weeks songs, I want to touch of a few topics.

- First, the BORN Country Facebook page has already blown up to just under 200 "Likes" in 2 weeks! I haven't looked into average page growth or anything, but that seems pretty awesome to me! Keep sharing, keep reading and liking! Heck, even TRACY LAWRENCE liked on the posts last week! How cool is that?!

- This past Thursday, Amy and I went out to Mansfield, OH to see Clint Black perform! It was my first time seeing him live and man, did he put on a great set! Clint was very funny and shared some great stories. His Willie Nelson impersonation is SPOT ON.

- This coming Tuesday, Darius Rucker's new album "Southern Style" hits stores. I've been listening to it all weekend and I recommend it! I was curious as to why there has yet to be a single following up "Homegrown Honey" released to country radio in anticipation of this album release. By no means is this an official reason, but Rucker's album actually SOUNDS like country music in comparison to a majority of the mainstream playlist right now. Time will tell!

- Starting this week, the "Song of the Day" on the BORN Country FB page will no longer be dedicated to 90's hits only. With the blog itself being based on my favorite decade of country music, for the majority, a more wide spread fan base on the FB page will help move us along in growth for better things to come in the future. (I have a lot of ideas!)

- Finally, the iHeartRadio Music Awards are airing tonight. While I will be recording the show, I will not be watching live, as tonight will be focussed on Wrestlemania and The Walking Dead. There are so many award shows these days, that its hard to really feel too strongly about any of them. I don't see Luke Bryan or Cole Swindell taking the trophies their respective categories this year, however in the "Country Song of the Year" category, I've got my fingers crossed for Eric Church.


Alright. Enough stalling! On to the countdown!

BORN Country's Top 505 Country Singles Of The 1990's!!!

465. Alabama - Dancin', Shaggin' On The Boulevard
Album: Dancin' On The Boulevard
Year: 1997

My first memory of this song, is my laughter after hearing the lyrics back in 1997. A little film titled "Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery" had been released the same year and "Shagging" was introduced to my vocabulary. Being that I was 13 years old, I don't think I have to explain too much, haha. Anyhow, "Shaggin'" was one of Alabama's finally hits in the 90's and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country chart.



464. Chely Wright - Single White Female
Album: Single White Female
Year: 1999

Chely Wright hit the #1 spot on Billboard's U.S. Hot Country chart in 1999. Despite having not made the top of the charts before or since "SWF", Wright has written songs that were recorded by Brad Paisley, Clay Walker and others. Trisha Yearwood provided harmony vocals on the studio recording.



463. Vince Gill - You Better Think Twice
Album: When Love Finds You
Year: 1995

The "Guitar Slinger" took the 5th single from his album "When Love Finds You" to #2 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Not all on this song, but Gill's album included backup vocals by what would now be considered an all-star lineup, including Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Michael McDonald, Ricky Skaggs and more!



462. Andy Griggs - You Won't Ever Be Lonely
Album: You Won't Ever Be Lonely
Year: 1998

Andy Griggs hit the ground running upon his entry to the country music world. "Lonely" the first single from his first album climbed to the #2 spot on the Billboard country charts after 6 months on radio. Greg's first album also included a duet with country music's legendary outlaw, Waylon Jennings.



461. Mark Wills - I Do (Cherish You)
Album: Wish You Were Here
Year: 1998

The 90's saw a period in which a handful of country singles would also be recorded by pop/rock artists and released to radio as well. A lot of people will likely remember "I Do" as a single released by boyband 98 Degrees. This trend included two hit singles shared between John Michael Montgomery and All-4-One, Alabama teaming up with N'Sync and more. This Wills recording reached #2 on the Hot Country Chart.



460. Garth Brooks - Two Pina Coladas
Album: Sevens
Year: 1998

This Garth classic came in at #29 on CMT's 40 Greatest Drinking songs list. Brooks would follow this up with one more #1 and 2 other singles to round out the 90's.

*NOTE: While I always try to find the best videos for the blog, sometimes it is flat out impossible. This is a fan recorded video from a live concert.



459. Lee Roy Parnell - On The Road
Album: On The Road
Year: 1993

I can't imagine anyone who is reading this, has ever found the best way to think through, deal with, or just come down from something that has been bothering you than a nice long drive with some good music for a brief escape. While the issues being dealt with in this track are a bit heavier than the typical everyday person, this song hits it right on the head.



458. Jeff Carson - Not On Your Love
Album: Jeff Carson
Year: 1995

It may seem like Jeff Carson came and went almost immediately, but he started off as a sessions musician and demo recorder out of Missouri in the early 90's before receiving his own recording contract. Carson hit the Top 10 with 3 singles in a row, including this track (#1) through 1995 and 1996. Carson also saw some recognition when he covered Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses" in 1997. Carson retired from country music in 2009 and is now working as a police officer in Franklin, TN.



457. Joe Diffie - If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets
Album: A Thousand Winding Roads
Year: 1991

Man, do I love the sound of some good western swing music. I have seen Joe Diffie perform live twice, both being acoustic sets. If all plans align, I will finally get to see him perform with a full band come end of summer. While guys like Eric Curch, Big & Rich and Thomas Rhett are headlining the festival, Diffie still has me the most excited!



456. Clint Black - Put Yourself In My Shoes
Album: Put Yourself In My Shoes
Year: 1991

The harmonica intro followed by Clint Black's strong vocals always hook me immediately when this song comes on. While this is not one of his 19 #1 singles, (#4 Hot Country), the first single from his second album is still an essential piece of his collected works.





There we go! 50 songs into the 505 song countdown! I know this segment was a little heavy on the lesser knowns, but as we dive deeper and deeper, the songs will get bigger and bigger!

Don't forget to comment below, and then follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Spotify! Each week will be adding the new list to the ongoing playlist so you can take the countdown with you!

As I stated earlier, we are just under 200 "Likes" on Facebook now. The offer still stands from last week, when we reach 300 "Likes" I will post a 20 song edition of the weekly countdown blog as a way of thanking you!

As always, I appreciate your reading along and sharing your thoughts! Thanks!
-Arthur Born

facebook.com/BORNCountryBlog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
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