The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 3: #160-#141

The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 3: #160-#141

#160
“Last Call”
Lee Ann Womack
2008
Peak: #14

Womack’s second-best Aughts song about late-night temptations is still better than a lot of people’s first-best songs about anything. Even in avoiding her drunken ex’s advances, she sounds positively heartbroken, suggesting she’d gladly make the other decision if she didn’t know better. – Dan Milliken

#159
“She’s Not Just a Pretty Face”
Shania Twain
2003
Peak: #9

Her motivation for her music has always been escapism, but I love the personal touch she slips into this one. Her late mother is the one who she’s referring to when she sings “at night, she pumps gasoline.” – Kevin Coyne

#158
“Wild West Show”
Big & Rich
2003
Peak: #21

Big & Rich’s loud “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” overshadowed this quieter song that showcases Big Kenny’s and John Rich’s supreme harmonies, their biggest asset. – Leeann Ward

#157
“Muddy Water”
Trace Adkins
2008
Peak: #22

A gospel-infused, fervent plea for forgiveness, fueled by the power of Adkins’ rumbling vocals. – Tara Seetharam

#156
“Real Live Woman”
Trisha Yearwood
2000
Peak: #16

We didn’t get any new music from Bobbie Cryner this decade, but at least we got a couple of songs, this one being the best. It’s an understated anthem to be sure, but who wouldn’t want to hold in his arms a woman with such hard-earned self-confidence? – KC

#155
“Settle for a Slowdown”
Dierks Bentley
2006
Peak: #1

The haunting opening strains of this song are captivating enough, but the ultimate strength of “Settle for a Slowdown” lies in the palpable desperation of the man who knows his relationship is over, but doesn’t want it to end: “I know there’s nothin’ stopping you now, but I’d settle for a slowdown.” – LW

#154
“How’s the World Treating You?”
Alison Krauss & James Taylor
2003
Peak: Did not chart

Some songs simply get more interesting when you turn them into male/female duets, where the same sentiment is expressed on both sides of a romantic divide. This is one of those songs. – DM

#153
“Trying to Stop Your Leaving”
Dierks Bentley
2008
Peak: #5

Poor Dierks Bentley isn’t having much luck with the ladies. Much like in “Settle for a Slowdown”, the narrator of “Trying to Stop Her Leavin’“ knows his relationship is over, but is still holding onto a shred of hope. It seems that the odds are against him and she’s leaving no matter how hard he tries to stop her. The song, with its pulsating undercurrent, successfully creates the atmosphere of urgency. – LW

#152
“Family Tree”
Darryl Worley
2002
Peak: #26

“Family Tree” seems to depict a chaotic household that’s still happy to add yet another limb to their family tree. Worley’s manic performance suggests joy and, perhaps, a hint of resignation as well. – LW

#151
“Brokenheartsville”
Joe Nichols
2003
Peak: #1

“Here’s to the past; they can kiss my glass.” If that’s not a classic drinkin’ song, I will kiss your glass. – DM

#150
“Johnny & June”
Heidi Newfield
2008
Peak: #11

Many a country song tries to get by on the sheer strength of the names it drops, but Newfield bypasses exploitation with “Johnny and June.” Instead, she creates a metaphor of a song that is so vigorous and so impassioned that you can’t help but feel at least a smidgen of the Cashs’ fiery love. – TS

#149
“Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good)”
Sugarland
2006
Peak: #17

In which a bored housewife and her two best friends head down to the Delta for some gambling, or possibly some sleeping around expressed in gambling metaphors. Not totally sure which, but apparently all you can see during it is asses and elbows. – DM

#148
“I Play Chicken with the Train”
Cowboy Troy with Big & Rich
2005
Peak: #48

Scoff if you must. But this decade has been marked by countless attempts to sneak outside musical styles into the mainstream country tent, and it’s a trend worth documenting at its best and worst. Troy’s “hick-hop” probably gave us some of both, but it’s certainly easy to admire this deliriously catchy, danceable debut single, even if only for camp value. – DM

#147
“My Give a Damn’s Busted”
Jo Dee Messina
2005
Peak: #1

In this playfully sassy number, Messina just don’t give a damn. – TS

#146
“Me And God”
Josh Turner with Ralph Stanley
2006
Peak: #16

Not only is “Me And God” more traditional than what radio tends to play; Josh Turner stood firm against pressure to remove Ralph Stanley from the radio version. The song is a simple and joyful depiction of an intimate relationship with God. Instead of the fire and brimstone image in “Long Black Train”, “Me and God” defines Him as a beloved companion and friend. – LW

#145
“It Must Be Love”
Alan Jackson
2000
Peak: #1

It’s a shame that it’s hard to imagine a song like this climbing today’s charts. Jackson’s cover of Don William’s 1979 hit is a simplistic, delightfully charming take on the joy of being in love. – TS

#144
“If Something Should Happen”
Darryl Worley
2005
Peak: #9

A man makes preparations for his best friend to look after his family, should something go wrong. Good dad. – KC

#143
“Lovin’ All Night”
Patty Loveless
2003
Peak: #18

It’s not easy to greatly outshine a Rodney Crowell original, but Emmylou Harris does it with Crowell’s “Leavin’ Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” and Patty Loveless does it with “Lovin’ All Night.” Loveless adds an addictive energy to this flirtatious song, which resulted in a radio comeback of sorts for her. – LW

#142
“Looking for a Job”
Todd Snider
2006
Peak: Did not chart

Snider plays an ex-con fed up with his new boss’ crap, producing one of country’s sharpest work anthems in years. – DM

#141
“Who You’d Be Today”
Kenny Chesney
2005
Peak: #2

A painfully sad song about a loved one who died too young. I still can’t watch the video without getting chills and tearing up. – KC

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– – –

• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 1: #201-#181
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 2: #180-#161
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 3: #160-#141
  
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 4: #140-#121
• 
  
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 6: #100-#81