My '80s Country Playlist, Volume 1 of 2
I'm kind of a big deal for my '80s country playlists. OK, not really. Just among my friends who can name the lead singer of Highway 101 and just how many Forester Sisters there were. Two decades later, it seems a little strange to listen to these tunes on an iPod -- or even a CD for that matter. However, I've managed to get 45 of my favorite songs to fit on two discs. Perfect for parties! (Depending on the party, it might clear a room at the end of the night, too.) Here's the first half. I'll post Volume 2 on Monday. And yes, you can have this dance for this rest of your life.
"Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)," Alabama
"Could I Have This Dance," Anne Murray
"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," Barbara Mandrell with George Jones
"Redneck Girl," Bellamy Brothers
"That's My Job," Conway Twitty
"Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)," Dan Seals
"You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma," David Frizzell and Shelley West
"Streets of Bakersfield," Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens
"Holding Her and Loving You," Earl Thomas Conley
"You and I," Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle
"If I Needed You," Emmylou Harris and Don Williams
"I Fell in Love Again Last Night," the Forester Sisters
"Farewell Party," Gene Watson
"If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)," George Jones
"It Ain't Cool to Be Crazy About You," George Strait
"Whiskey, if You Were a Woman," Highway 101
"Highwayman," Highwaymen
"Lookin' for Love," Johnny Lee
"Love Is Alive," the Judds
"80's Ladies," K.T. Oslin
"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses," Kathy Mattea
"I'm No Stranger to the Rain," Keith Whitley
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Joe says:
I was born in ‘84, and I found country music in 2000.
I myself listen to songs going way back to the ’40s….
It really is weird to listen to some of the songs, and how the melody was arranged, and how it sounds.
Maryann says:
Some of those songs would be called pop by today’s standard?? “Could I have This Dance” and “You and I” not played on country radios. BUT I LOVE THOSE SONGS!!!! Good music is a good music. Alabama, Anne Murray, Don Williams, Eddie Rabbit, Crystal Gale, Emmylou Harris (more contemporary artists) reached far and away; even to non-english speaking asian countries.
D says:
Larry Boone,David Lynn Jones,JoEl Sonnier,Holly Dunn and The Girls Next Door
D says:
Not to mention Judy Rodman
D says:
Oops Forgot The Kendalls
brenda says:
This is the real country music singers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer says:
I was born in 1980 and was raised on country music. In 1985 I would have rather watched Shotgun Red on Ralph Emery’s show than any cartoon. Country from the 80s is my favorite country of all. Craig, you should come to western Kentucky. We have not one but TWO local stations that play nothing but classic country, so I get to hear the 80s gold all the time!
D says:
In my Opinion some of the BEST COUNTRY SINGERS were from the 80s-late 90s, after that it went down hill fast. i know Dan Seals was big int he 90s and so was Marie Osmond, and Charly McClain
ele says:
Country music has gone down hill since the late 90s an is getting worse . They just give anybody record deal now just because they can sing a song. The country out here today should be on the pop charts not the country charts. I listen to the 70s and 80s music alot more than the stuff today. King George and Reba are still making the hits though ater all these years. I will continue to listen to classic country.
D says:
you got that right Ele
Redmaz says:
I take issue with the statements from “D” and “ele” that Country Music has gone downhill since the late 90’s. Actually I feel in many ways it’s getting better. To D and ele, I have a feeling you’re not listening to much of a variety of today’s Country Music, but I could be wrong so I was wondering if you could list the last 10 artists you’ve checked out independently that you feel has lead Country Music downhill. Are you listening to any Americana/Roots Music? I’d like to know just what you’re checking out these days. I also would like to ask you about a dozen or so artists, and wonder if you believe they fit into your description of Country music going downhill. Thanks.
Back to the topic…by the time the 80’s rolled around, I had already begun my journey to the alternative to Pop Country Music that has been listed here. These are just a few artists I was listening to by then…
Asleep at The Wheel
Jerry Jeff Walker
John Prine
Steve Earle
Dwight Yoakam
Pure Prairie League
Commander Cody
Billy Joe Shaver
Waylon Jennings
Johnny Paycheck
David Allan Coe
D says:
RedMaz alot of the issue is back in the 80-90s it WAS singing and not all this yelling bs, and not who has big boobs and handsome as hell like it is today. This swill is no more singing than a man in the moon that is coming out now they consider country music? Could you be a little Tone Deaf RedMaz?. I agree Waylon and Steve Earle were good also. As for asleep and the wheel they are more Western Swing which they are great at. Jerry Jeff Walker and John Prine are more Songwriters than performers. Same with Billy Joe Shaver. I never heard of Commander Cody myself
Redmaz says:
I’ll be glad to discuss this with you, but first I’ll need to know what you are listening to these days. Who are the last 10 artists you’ve checked out independently that you feel have caused Country Music to go downhill? Simple question. I would also like to ask you about a dozen or so artists, and wonder if you believe they fit into the your description of Country Music going downhill. As I said, I don’t think you are listening to much of a variety of today’s Country Music, but I could be wrong. Simply answering my questions would help.
D says:
Brooks N Dunn,Taylor Swift,Montgomery Gentry,Sugarland,Miranda Lambert, Big N Rich,Wynonna, Gretchen Wilson,Keith Urban,LeAnn Rimes. Belive me there are more but this is the cream of the crop that is NOT country music, all they are is yelling, big boobs,ripped jeans, Ackie they wouldnt know how to sing to save their lives
Redmaz says:
These are the last 10 people you checked out independently? Really? Aren’t most of these people played on the radio nearly all the time? So basically you’re just complaining about Pop Country, and Pop Country radio. Sounds as though I was right, you’re not listening to very much of today’s Country Music. Now, if you are refering to how much Pop Country has gone downhill I would agree, but you didn’t say that. To lump all of today’s Country Music together, and call it all going downhill is not only ridiculous, but it’s very disrespectful, especially if you’re not even listening to all of today’s Country Music. If you’re interested in the rest of today’s Country Music let me know, I’ll be glad to help. As far as Walker, Prine, and Shaver, that was in regards to the original blog about who I was listening to in the 80’s. I still listen to them, both the earlier music and their new music. As far as them being more of songwriters than performers, yes they are songwriters, but they also have released numerous albums and all are currently on tour. That’s being a performer.
Redmaz says:
Still waiting for a reply from “D” and “ele”. Could it be I have once again proven my point with facts? Yes…I believe so, but I’ll be glad to continue this debate if you are so inclined.