Countdown Part XII: Songs 366-375

We're back with another 10 songs in our 505 favorite country singles of the 90's countdown! You may have noticed the slower posts on Facebook and of course the lack of mid-week blogs over the last few weeks. We were struggling with the current laptop and it was an absolute chore to do anything, for the most part. However, I have great news! The BORN Country computer has been replaced and we are back on track! Hopefully, this will lead to a lot more blog postings outside of the countdown, more pictures, videos, ect.!

Also, with the new computer, comes another project that is in the works, but I can't quite share that one yet! Stay tuned!

Before we dive into the countdown, there are three new releases coming on Tuesday:

- Jon Pardi is releasing a collection of B-Sides that he recorded between 2011 and 2014 which could be very interesting. His full length album is pretty strong, so I'm very curious to hear this stuff!

- Kelsea Ballerini's "The First Time" is coming Tuesday as well. The first single was a bit "poppy" for my taste, but I'm curious to hear what the rest of the album brings. I have a feeling that there could be some great gems hidden on the album tracks.

- Logan Mize is releasing an EP of new music this week, titled "Pawn Shop Guitar". I really dig Logan's current single, though it's only received a little airtime so far. Give "Can't Get Away From A Good Time" a spin and let us know what you think!



Ok, on to the good stuff!

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

375. Tim McGraw - My Best Friend
Album: A Place In The Sun
Year: 1999

We are starting this week's list off with a country superstar! McGraw's album, "A Place In The Sun" is a strong contender, along with "Not A Moment Too Soon", as the best album in his career. Songs like "My Best Friend" wrapped up his first run of singles before releasing the first "Greatest Hits" collection by Tim. "Friend" went to the top of the Hot Country Chart.



374. LeAnn Rimes - One Way Ticket (Because I Can)
Album: Blue
Year: 1996

"Ticket" lead Rimes to becoming the fourth teenage artist in country music history to reach #1 on the Hot Country Charts. Despite being her most successful single in the country music genre, this is NOT the first song to come to mind when I hear LeAnn's name. We'll get to that one much later on!



373. Kevin Sharp - If You Love Somebody
Album: Measure Of A Man
Year: 1997

Kevin Sharp's third single from his debut album peaked at #4 on the Hot Country Chart in 1997. This would be Sharp's final song to reach the Top 10. This would be followed by 3 more radio singles released to radio in the 90's, but none of which would pass #43 on the charts. Sharp would then lend more of his time to charities and public speaking, although still recording music until his passing.



372. Lonestar - Runnin' Away With My Heart
Album: Lonestar
Year: 1996

Lonestar's lead vocalist, Richie Mcdonald not only charted many songs, including 8 #1 songs, with the band, but he has also had some success outside of the group. In 1997, McDonald was a guest vocalist on fellow 90's country star Mind McCready's #18 hit, "Maybe He'll Notice Her Now."



371. Clay Walker - You're Beginning To Get To Me
Album: 1998
Year: Greatest Hits

One of my biggest gripes in not just country music, but the music industry in general , is when a "Greatest Hits" packaged is released and there are no new songs included. Yes, I understand that the idea is to pull all of the biggest songs by one artist together in one album, but if I already own all of the previous records, give me some incentive! Perfect example: Clay Walker included two previously unreleased songs as radio singles from his first hits collection. These aren't throw away songs either!



370. George Strait - I Know She Still Loves Me
Album: Strait Out Of The Box
Year: 1995

This was by no means planned, but speaking of new songs being included in "hits" collections, this George single was unavailable until his four disc "Strait Out Of The Box" CD set was released in 1995. "King George" took this "I Know She Still Loves Me" to #5 on the Hot Country Songs chart.



369. Ty Herndon - I Want My Goodbye Back
Album: What Mattered Most
Year: 1995

Throughout the 90's Ty Herndon charted seven singles in the Top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. With songs like "Goodbye Back" and "Steam," it's a wonder to me how he wasn't able to stay in the spotlight at least through the early-mid 2000's. Herndon's last album up to this point, "Lies I Told Myself" was released in 2013.



368. Sawyer Brown - The Walk
Album: Buick
Year: 1991

For Mother's Day last week, a last minute "Songs About Mama" playlist was posted on the BORN Country Facebook page & Spotify. In June, and with a bit more warning, "Songs About Dad" will have a little more work put into it. This Sawyer Brown #2 hit, will absolutely be featured in said list. Have other suggestions? Let us know!



367. Little Texas - First Time For Everything
Album: First Time For Everything
Year: 1992

The Little Texas guys have a huge and truly dedicated fan base! A few weeks prior, Little Texas performed a few songs (including this one) in a live streaming concert in order to promote their latest album. During the set, there was a chat window to leave comments/ ask the guys questions, and it seemed that nearly EVERYONE in the chat knew each other! I think it's very cool that a fan base could become almost like a family and stay in touch with others through an online community reaching all around the country!



366. Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt - Honk Tonkin's What I Do Best
Album: Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best
Year: 1996

What a perfect duo these two guys make! The third hit duet between Tritt and Stuart throughout the 90's, "Honky Tonkin" is certainly the most upbeat. What I love most about this song, is that Tritt and Stuart are obviously genuine friends and had a blast making it, opposed to duets that sometimes seem to be forced by the record labels. To see these guys perform live together would be an absolute dream!




There we have it! Another 10 songs down! We are only 46 "Likes" away from 800 on Facebook! Once we hit that milestone, I will be posting another extended countdown blog, as promised, so don't forget to share our page with your friends!

Keep your eyes pealed for more blogs coming throughout the week! Is there anything else you, as readers, would like to see on our page/blog? We are very open to suggestions and hope to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!
-Arthur Born

Facebook.com/borncountryblog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
E-Mail: BORNCountryblog@gmail.com

Countdown Part IX: Songs #396-415

Well, you've done it again! We have far surpassed the the goal of reaching 500 "likes" on our Facebook page by today! The count is currently sitting at 552 as I type this blog. Pretty incredible! Keep reading, liking and sharing with friends! Believe it or not, I have actually been contacted by some of the artists highlighted in the countdown! I'm hoping that once the blog gets a large enough audience, we can start setting up some interviews!

- While writing this weekend's countdown blog, I am also working on a special entry to be posted within the week. I'll be putting together a set of statistics based on the first 100 songs on the list, such as artist with the most songs, most popular albums and years of release, etc., so stay tuned for that! I think it should be a pretty fun read! 

- We have another big 20 song list, as promised, this week, so lets get right into it! I hope to start getting some more feedback, whether here or on the Facebook page, regarding the countdown. There is more than 500 of you out there reading, so let us know what you think! Thanks!

BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!!!

415. Brooks & Dunn - I Am That Man
Album: Borderline
Year: 1996

The second single from B&D's fourth album was co-written by Terry McBride or McBride & The Ride. I recall finding myself so clever to be replacing "That man" with "Batman" back in '96 when the song was released to radio... Still do. Ha! "That Man" reached #2  on the Hot Country charts.



414. Clay Walker - This Woman And This Man
Album: If I Could Make A Living
Year: 1995

Clay Walker was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996 and has been strong supporter in raising awareness ever since. He runs his own non-profit organization as well. Beforehand, "This Woman" was his 5th #1 career single in 1995.



413. Dixie Chicks - Tonight The Heartache's On Me
Album: Wide Open Spaces
Year: 1999

The final single from their debut album (but not final single of the 90's!) came in the spring of 1999. The song peaked at #6, breaking the 4 song #1 streak. It wouldn't be too long until the Chicks would be back on top, though.



412. Suzy Boggus - Just Like The Weather
Album: Something Up My Sleeve
Year: 1993

"Weather" was one of the most successful singles in the ongoing career of Suzy Bogguss. While never reaching #1, Suzy continues to release solid country/Americana music, latest being her album of Merle Haggard penned songs, titled "Lucky" which was partially funded on Kickstarter.



411. Junior Brown - Highway Patrol
Album: Guit With It
Year: 1993

While never finding solid commercial success, Junior Brown has been working in music since 1960's. Although "Highway Patrol" is Brown's 2nd highest charting single at #75, he does carry one pretty significant distinction: How many other artists are able to make the claim that they invented their lead instrument?! Not many, as far as I can find! In 1985, Junior Brown built the "guit-steel", a combination of electric guitar and slide guitar, as featured in the video below. Enjoy!



410. BlackHawk - There You Have It
Album: The Sky's The Limit
Year: 1998

Man, do I love these guys. 10 songs of 14 released in the 90's will be be featured on this list, which I imagine goes to show how much I enjoy their music. I finally had the chance to see them perform last summer and they just happen to be playing the same festival again this year! Yes!!!



409. Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now
Album: Ropin' The Wind
Year: 1991

Written by Brooks, this song was previously recorded by country music legend, Crystal Gale as "What He's Doing Now" in 1990. Come time for Garth's third album, he decided to record the song for "Ropin' The Wind". In true early Garth fashion, "What She's Doing Now" easily hit the #1 spot on the country music charts.

Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now (Live)

408. Jo Dee Messina - I'm Alright
Album: I'm Alright
Year: 1998

Debuting in the back half of the 90's, Messina put in a pretty strong showing with three #1's and two #2's among other charting singles within a 5 year period. "I'm Alright" was the second in her string of three consecutive #1 charting songs. The song would later be recorded by it's writer, Phil Vassar, for his greatest hits album.



407. Kenny Chesney - All I Need To Know
Album; All I Need To Know
Year: 1995

Who would've guessed that Chesney would be one of the few "rookies" of the 90's to go on to be one of the biggest mega stars in the history of country music? Not this guy! Then again, I was in 5th grade at the time... Kenny's second major label single peaked at #8.



406. George Strait - Lead On
Album: Lead On
Year: 1995

How fitting that the one-hundredth song on the countdown list belong to the "King" of country music, George Strait? "Lead On" charted at #7 on the Billboard Hot Country chart in 1995. This would be the final single from the album of the same name.



405. Toby Keith - We Were In Love
Album: Dream Walkin'
Year: 1997

The first single from Toby's fourth album proved to be another success. Every single up to this point, excluding "Big Ol' Truck" had hit the Top 10, and this song was no different, peaking at #2.



404. Lila McCann - With You
Album: Something In The Air
Year: 1999

While we continue to see artists such as Toby, Kenny, and Shania who would emerge in the 90's and grow into country mega stars, there unfortunately isn't always room for everyone. Lila McCann found herself coming into success with a few singles throughout the late 90's only to be dropped from multiple labels, unable to find a steady home in the music business. Lila has since began a photography business and lives in Nashville with her husband and children.



403. Tim McGraw - For A Little While
Album: Everywhere
Year: 1998

We haven't heard from Tim McGraw on the list in awhile! Don't worry, there is plenty more to come! "For A Little While" was co-written by Phil Vassar, which was recorded his greatest hits album in 2006. Tim McGraw took the single to #2 on the Hot Country Billboard charts.



402. Kevin Sharp - She's Sure Taking It Well
Album: Measure Of A Man
Year: 1997

"She's Sure Taking It Well" was the follow-up single to Sharp's huge hit "Nobody Knows". He would hit the Top 10 one more time with his third single, but found little success, chart-wise, afterwards. Kevin would go on to write a book and tour as a motivational speaker, through his battle with cancer.



401. Terri Clark - Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Album: Just The Same
Year: 1996

Before doing a little research on this song, i had no idea that it had been covered by so many different artists! Written and originally recorded by Warren Zevon, the song also became a hit for Linda Ronstandt in the late 1970's. "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" would go on to be recorded by 10+ artists after Terri Clark. Clark's versions would peak at #5 on Billboard's Hot Country Chart in the U.S., but went to the top at #1 in Clark's home country of Canada.



400. Collin Raye - I Can Still Feel You
Album: The Walls Came Down
Year: 1998

"I Can Still Feel You" would be Collin Raye's fourth and final #1 hit single, spreading between 1992 and 1998. Collin is still recording on a regular basis, releasing an album in 2014 and also a Glen Campbell tribute album in 2013.



399. Alan Jackson - Love's Got A Hold On You
Album: Don't Rock The Jukebox
Year: 1992

What would one of my weekly countdown blogs be without an appearance by Alan Jackson?! The final single from Jackson's album, "Don't Rock The Jukebox", would climb to #1 on the Hot Country Chart.



398. Wade Hayes - Don't Stop
Album: Old Enough To Know Better
Year: 1995

The third single released to radio by 1994 newcomer Wade Hayes, was one of four that hit the Top 10 from his debut album. Wade Hayes would also be nominated for CMA's Top Male Vocalist of the year. Hayes just recently released a new album, "Go Live Your Life" this past February.



397. Trace Adkins - I Left Something Turned On At Home
Album: Dreamin' Out Loud
Year: 1997

Another artist making his debut on our countdown, Trace Adkins released his debut album in 1996 and wrapped up with his fourth and final single in 1997. While living in Los Angeles briefly, I worked on a film that Trace had a small role in. I knew the guy was tall, but seeing him up close and in person, holy cow!



396. Sawyer Brown - Six Days On The Day
Album: Six Days On The Road
Year: 1997

My first ever live concert experience, was in 1995, at the Lorain County Fair. I had absolutely no interest in going, as my friends were all running around on the midway, playing games, riding rides, etc. Not me. I was being dragged to the grandstand to see some GUY named Sawyer Brown for some boring concert with my parents. Turns out, I was dead wrong, on multiple levels. I (secretly) had an amazing time! To this day, I absolutely love Sawyer Brown's music, and continuously hope to see them on the radar for a local live show!




We are now 110 songs into the 505 song list!!! Next week, we will go back to the 10 song format, and hopefully it will be as star packed as this week's entry! I can't believe we are already 1/5 of the way through the countdown! I hope you enjoy the songs this week, and don't forget to check out our Spotify playlist to listen to these songs on the go!

As always, don't forget to share our blog and Facebook page with your friends! As the blog grows, hopefully we will be able to provide more and more content! Thanks again!

-Arthur Born
Facebook.com/borncountryblog
Twitter: @BornCountryBlog
E-Mail: borncountryblog@gmail.com