2022 was an amazing year with great country music released by so many great artists. Whether those artists are established or up and coming you had to love the music that was released in 2022. Here is my personal list for the Top 10 Country Songs of 2022.
10. Blake Shelton – “No Body”
Not the most conventional choice for the list but “No Body” is just so catchy and got stuck in my head when I got the chance to preview the song before it’s release. The song is a little repetitive with the words “no body,” but you cannot help but to sing along to it. It quickly became a favourite of mine. Blake Shelton’s track has a fun upbeat number that would get even someone like me up and dancing, in my case attempt to dance. While it won’t likely be a classic for the star it is just simple and fun which is needed sometimes.
9. Don Amero feat. Raquel Cole – “Let You”
Don Amero has really picked up steam the last few years and has been his biggest success yet. The Manitoba artist teams up with BC’s Raquel Cole for “Let You,” an upbeat song about going for it, dropping the games and playing koi with each other. The song is a great fun track that people can relate to and the duet of Amero and Cole is just an amazing listen. Here is hoping they team up again in the future.
8. Jade Eagleson – Shakin’ In Them Boots”
Jade Eagleson has been a fixture on my Top 10 year end lists for Canadian Country songs appearing on every one, and this year was no different. Like past years Jade had a couple songs that could’ve listed but I went with “Shakin’ In The Boots” over “She Don’t Know.” “Shakin’ In Them Boots” is co-written by James Barker but didn’t feel it felt for his band and Jade loving the song and felt it could sound more traditional country was given the shot with it and took the song all the way just shy of another number 1 for him. The song with have you dancing and singing along everytime you listen to it, so I am thankful that I work in a booth with no cameras. The video (has no standing on the rankings) is fun and you get to see his moustache in all of it’s glory.
7. Tyler Hubbard – “5 Foot 9”
Formerly 1/2 of Florida Georgia Line, Tyler hit the ground running with the hit song “5 Foot 9.” A song about God making a woman who is 5’9 tall, which is inspired by Tyler’s wife even though she is actually 5’10. The song just has a humble vibe that is also fun that you just have to listen to on repeat. Tyler is making a name for himself away from the FGL and this hit song appears to be just the beginning for him. The simple but great.
6. Devin Cooper – “Underdog”
This is a single you may not have heard of but Devin Cooper with his latest single “Underdog” are deserving of a spot on the list. Devin used “Underdog” for the Top of the Country contest where he was a semi-finalist, releasing the song as a single after the contest. “Underdog” is a great song about stepping up and taking chances even when the odds tell you not to even bother. The song goes through various instances whether it be in a baseball game or asking out the popular cheerleader with the results coming out on top. The song reminds the listener that even if it’s a longshot, it could all work out for you, I mean you buy lottery tickets don’t you. It’s also a reminder that some people are at their best when they have their backs against the wall. When it comes to year end top lists, an independent up and comer like Devin is the underdog to crack one but with “Underdog” Devin hits a home run and I cannot wait to hear what he has in store for us in 2023.
5. Bailey Zimmerman – “Fall in Love”
New comer Bailey Zimmerman hit pay dirt with the smash #1 single “Fall in Love.” Bailey’s unique sound just sells the song about a guy who reminisces about the girl he lost who moved from him though he clearly hasn’t. The American made a song that made the rare country song appearance the Canada Hot 100, which is usually more pop/top 40 music. This is just the beginning for the Americana singer who looks to have a budding career.
4. Nate Smith – “Whisky On You”
Nate Smith’s first single was a home run with “Whiskey On You.” The single about deciding that he is not wasting anymore nights or whiskey over the lost girl who didn’t waste time getting over him. Funny enough he recorded a demo of the song in the kitchen of music executive Jim Catino, and used the vocals for the final version from that demo after not liking the studio recordings, that is some Weird Al stuff. The song just has that harder rock sound that I know I enjoy with a chorus you can sing along to and with while you are tipping one back.
3. Tenille Townes – “The Last Time”
Tenille Townes “The Last Time” is a song that is hauntingly beautiful about not knowing when the last time something will happen and appreciate what is happening the moment. The song came from her aunty Sue and her cousin growing up and learning to drive. The first time I heard it was in a meeting held by Sony over Zoom for the single being released and hearing the backstory and then the song left many music directors in tears, as a Tenille song can do. Tenille is one of the best Canada has produced in any genre in quite sometime and “The Last Time” is a prime example of that as well that a great, powerful song can get past the cliched ridden song writing for radio.
2. Scotty McCreery – “Damn Strait”
Who knew a song about loving and hating the king of country’s music would be such a hit. Scotty’s song is a tribute to George Strait listing and referencing numerous of Strait’s hit songs . The twist is that the songs are so tied to a girl he no longer is with that he can’t enjoy them. The sentiment is so relatable especially for someone like me who relates songs to people. To this day there are songs I can’t listen to cause of who they are tied to. “Damn Strait” is a clever song that is warm and personable which is why it is the runner up for my favourite songs of 2022.
1. Cole Swindell feat. Jo Dee Messina – “She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)”
The top spot was secured by the remix version of the hit song “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” Swindell’s original version was a top contender in it’s own right but remix version with new amazing vocals from the “Heads Carolina, Tails California” singer Jo Dee Messina herself sold it 100% to me. The song about falling for a girl seeing her perform the 90s classic at karaoke is just fun. With 90s country becoming more popular again Cole hit the ball out of the park writing this one with Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley and Jesse Frasure. The song was oringinally was supposed to be a duet with Rhett but Rhett didn’t feel it was right. Cole Swindell wanted the blessing of Messina, Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders (the co-writers of the original), especially as the song interpolation. It is hard to find a song that can pay tribute to a classic while being original in it’s own right. The new version tooka song that would’ve been Top 5 for sure right to #1 in my books.
– Everett
