Well it’s that time of the year, when we look back at the year that was before ushering in the new year. Well 2024 was quite a year for Canadian country music with some many amazing songs dropping it was hard to even narrow a list down to even the honorable mention number of songs. Not only that but to narrow down a song to represent an artist as with this list, much like the Highlander there can only be one … from an artist. Now when I make the list, the charts hold very little to weight in seeding or making the list, but just that these are songs that I personally found to be my top 10 of the year. The rules are that the song must be released as a single whether on streaming or to radio in 2024 which is why the list comes out right at the end of the year.
My apologies in advance for YouTube having weird share/reposting, so you may have to hit the watch on YouTube to hear the song if you aren’t familiar with it.
Honorable Mentions (In No Particular Order):
- Morgan Klaiber – “Cowboy Killer”
- Andrew Hyatt – “L Is For”
- Brayden King – “Nickelback”
- Alli Walker – “Creek”
- Brad Sims – Straight Whiskey
- Savannah Jade – “He’s The One”
The top 10 is getting kicked off with Savannah Jade and her debut single “He’s The One.” This is Savannah Jade’s first solo single since the end of Five Roses and is one that showcases the Quebec singers abilities and why she will be a force in the Canadian country music scene. The songs starts off with the guy being this amazing guy but realizing he isn’t what he appears to be and will just break your heart. The song has a catchy beat and a chorus fans can sing along to as she performs. This is a break out single for Savannah and this is just the beginning for her as she is someone to certainly watch in heading into 2025.
- Matt Lang – Sweet On You
Well Quebec is turning out country singers theses days and he was the first in the recent assentation of signers from La Belle Province. Matt came out the gates strong in his career and is re-establishing himself and with songs like “Sweet On You” it is easy to see why his career is back on the upswing. While “All Night Longer” was considered, “Sweet On You” was chosen for it’s catchy melody and fun lyrics. Who doesn’t love some steel guitar and the French-Canadian accent slipping in and out as Matt sings. 2024 was a good year for Matt, and I cannot wait to see what 2025 has in store for his music.
- Kyle McKearney – “Broken Hearts Hide”
Kyle McKearney locks down the 8 spot this year with his song “Broken Hearts Hide.” A song that was one a few releases for the talent originally from Fort St. John. “Broken Hearts Hide” was the lead single coming from Kyle’s upcoming 3rd album, and brings a country-rock sound that still showcases his Americana roots. A song that encapsulates living through heartache, Kyle expresses this through his vocal performance, with his raw sound that just draws a listener in. 2024 saw the Kyle have some big moments and if singles like this and Wedding Day are any indication Kyle’s upcoming album might net him another Alternative-Country Album of the Year win at the CCMAs after it’s release.
- Cameron Whitcomb – Quitter
From American Idol to having a country song get airplay on both country and CHR in Canada is a rare accomplishment but that is the case for Cameron Whittcomb. Originally born in Peace River, AB but growing up out on Vancouver Island, Cameron would leave home at 17 and a few years later find himself on one of the singing competition show. Cameron has turned that into his first top 40 at radio with this song about getting clean, something Cameron is very familiar with. The song discussing the need to grow up and clean up his act, Cameron wonders if it makes him a “quitter.” The song brings real experiences with an upbeat sound that just draw listeners in, and makes you want to root for the protagonist of the song, and the artist themselves. From an independent release to gaining tractions on radio in multiple formats just puts a small reason as to why this song finds itself on my top 10 Canadian country songs of the year.
- Riley Taylor – “Black Gold”
Sitting just outside of the top 5 for me this year is Riley Taylor and his single “Black Gold.” The amount of possible songs for Riley this year was high as the past Boots N Hearts showcase winner continues to develop a name for himself, but this one took the cake for me. While a song “You Left Me” appears to have appeared on others lists, this one just hits different, as I know so many people that this song fits, whether in construction or the oil patch. A song about fortitude and strength it takes to make it in that industry, but realizing the sacrifices to your body and personal life it can take in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Maybe, like I mentioned above, the experience of working with people like this makes it stand out for me, but at one point this was a choice for me, but elected to go back to class. Riley is poised for a potential major breakout 2025 and songs like this and “You Left Me” are reasons why he is one to keep an eye on.
- Tyler Joe Miller – “What Good Is A Memory”
When it comes to an artist that is pushing is way into the bigger, more recognizable names in Canadian country, look no further than Tyler Joe Miller. Bursting onto the scene with “Pillow Talkin’ ” the first of his two #1’s and has basically been top 10 ever since and “What Good Is A Memory” is no exception. A song that looks at the idea of memories and whether some are a good ones are actually worth remembering because of who they are with. It is a subject many can relate to, whether it’s like in the song about a past dating relationship, or could be used for any kind of relationship. It is a song that always gets me amped up singing along and finds its way to my top 5 for the year.
- High Valley – “Not Yet”
High Valley or Last Rempel Standing as I jokingly call them, had a couple good tunes this year and to me “Not Yet” stood out above “Buy A Boy A Baseball.” “Not Yet” has this fun catchy song about knowing at some point we will die but not being ready to go, because there is too much fun to be had with family and friends. While I have heard songs with similar messages, this one tops those, largely with the catchy nature of the song that just begs you to sing along, which I may have done when I saw them back in February. Surprisingly it didn’t seem to get to the top 5 peaking at #7, but despite it being an early 2024 release to radio, I still crank this one up in December as I’m “Not Yet” ready to move on from this song.
- Owen Riegling – “Moonshines”
On the podium in the bronze spot is the killer tune from Owen Riegling, “Moonshines.” This song just ramps up and does stop until the song itself does. Owen is the fastest rising star in Canadian country music and with songs like this are a reason why. “Moonshines” shines with it’s energy as the country-rock jam just speeds by like a race car while bringing clever creative lyrics to the table. There isn’t much to say other than I forgot to photograph while hearing him play it at CCMA House this year I was so taken aback with the performance and the song itself. With Owen growing like he has over the past few years, he will be the biggest name in Canadian country music shoving guys like Jade, Dean and Dallas out of the way.
- Tony Stevens – “Whiskey In Colorado”
Well it hard to say there has been a bigger single for an emerging talent than “Whiskey in Colorado” for Tony Stevens. Tony’s song was out in January and was still climbing charts in until August, slowly climbing up peaking at #8, where the only Canadian artist above him was Dallas Smith and “Use Me.” This song would find itself nominated for Songwriter(s) of the Year at the 2024 CCMA Awards (with Dan Swinimer, Wes Mack, David Borus). The song just hits, can’t explain it better than that. The song explores being on the road away from loved ones, and the toll it takes on a person. The second I heard this song I hoped it would get to a place where I could add it at the station, I jumped on it early and stayed in rotation, before going to recurs for 7 months. By far in my opinion one of the best songs of the year, as it finishes #2.
- Hailey Benedict – “Things My Mama Says”
Well the top spot on my list for Canadian country songs goes to the up and coming Hailey Benedict’s song “Things My Mama Says.” This is an amazing song but for many it can hit you square in the feels, as for many people parents are who you go to for advice on life, and well we may not always listen. The song is a deeply personal reflection on the emotional tension between trusting a mother’s advice and worrying about her from a distance, a narrative rooted in Benedict’s own experience. “Things My Mama Says” holds great meaning to me as my mom is who I tend to vent to, get advice and not always listen to it … see the number of tattoos I have. But also the person, as I live several provinces over from I miss. With my grandma getting up there and her health takes a downward turn, a song like this just hits different and is one that everyone can connect to. It was hard to find a song I found better in 2024.
– Everett
