Where Kid Rock rubs elbows with Garth Brooks and Merle Haggard because this list.
#640
Chris Young, “Who I am With You”
#8 | 2014
JK: Young is another contemporary act who is over-represented on this list. This isn’t the worst single he’s released since he gave up on capitalizing on his native talents, but it’s forgettable. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
KJC: This is a decent record that is very much not one of the 1,000 best records in country music history. Not even of the last 30 years, honestly. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#639
Garth Brooks, “Somewhere Other Than the Night”
#1 | 1992
KJC: I could never get on board with Garth’s odd operatic vocals. This is a pure country song that should’ve had him channeling George Jones, not Gary Morris.
JK: Garth’s a better singer than he’s often credited for, but when he strains for pop diva histrionics, it’s just hideous. A well-written song that he completely oversings. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#638
Kid Rock, “All Summer Long”
#4 | 2008
JK: I hope the late, great Warren Zevon was well-compensated for the “Werewolves of Summer” sample that is the only thing about this or Kid Rock’s entire career that is worth half a damn. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
KJC: Ah, the late oughts, when the white trash flowed freely from inbred rock to mainstream country. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#637
Merle Haggard and the Strangers, “Branded Man”
#1 | 1967
KJC: The pathos of this record, written and released before the world knew of his ex-convict status, makes it one of Haggard’s most interesting and significant records. Even without that element, it’s an early example of his relentless empathy for the downtrodden man. About Right
JK: Not my favorite Haggard hit by any stretch, but better too much Haggard than too much Shelton or Young, I suppose. Too High
#636
Alan Jackson, “I Don’t Even Know Your Name”
#1 | 1995
JK: Once he turned into country’s resident poet laureate, Jackson lost his facility with charming, uptempo ditties like this one. Slight, but still a keeper. About Right
KJC: Good enough that Carrie Underwood did her own spin on it a few years later, I guess. But this is lesser Jackson for me. So Wrong (This Song)
#635
Florida Georgia Line, “Get Your Shine On”
#5 | 2012
KJC: Two of the four horsemen signaling the country music apocalypse: country radio banning the Dixie Chicks, and then later embracing Florida Georgia Line. “Slide that little sugar shaker over here.” Jesus wept. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
JK: I’m good, thanks. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#634
Brett Eldredge, “Beat of the Music”
#6 | 2013
JK: Eldredge would have been an Adult Top 40 star had he come along in the mid-90s; his MOR music is never less than competent but is rarely better than that, either. Imagine believing this is better than “When I Call Your Name.” So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
KJC: Now if it was a cover of Kate Bush’s “Eat the Music,” I could get on board. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#633
Billy Dean, “We Just Disagree”
#9 | 1993
KJC: I think he improves on the 70’s AM radio original. Call it Billy Dean’s “My Maria.” About Right
JK: Dean sings the hell out of this cover. It’s also the best song he ever recorded, and it definitely belongs here. About Right
#632
George Jones, “Still Doin’ Time”
#1 | 1981
JK: So, I don’t think I would cut any of Jones’ entries… But if I had to cut one, it would be this. As is, I’ll settle on Too High.
KJC: A great concept in search of a better song. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
#631
Billy Currington, “That’s How Country Boys Roll”
#1 | 2009
KJC: An answer to a question nobody asked. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
JK: I’m tired of writing about Billy Currington for this feature. Holy God. So Wrong (Doesn’t Belong)
Re. “All Summer Long”: It’s actually “Werewolves Of London” that Kid Rock samples. Not that it matters all that much, since i don’t think Kid Rock’s career is worth a damn at all.
Re. “We Just Disagree”: I guess I do here (LOL). I don’t think Billy Dean’s matches up with the 1977 original by Dave Mason, who (for all you classic rock trivia hounds out there) was an original member of the late 60s/early 70s English rock band Traffic.
This list continues to make no sense, but I swear the commentary is getting even better. The Florida Georgia Line bit is absolute gold.
I agree with Kephart – Billy Dean’s version lacks the urgency and passion of Dave Mason’s original. As far as I’m concerned there is no such thing as too much Haggard & Jones
I like Billy Dean’s take on the Disagree song. I also liked his cover of Saturday Night from Common Thread and his duets with Suzy Bogguss – Something Up My Sleeve – and Aussie Gina Jeffreys – If I Could Find the Heart to Love Again. Dean co-wrote the latter song with David Gates of Bread.
Always loved Billy Dean’s version of “We Just Disagree.” It’s just so full of energy, especially in the production. I’m just glad to see Billy Dean here at all. One of the 90’s country artists who doesn’t get as much love as some others do, imo.
I’ll always have a soft spot for “Somewhere Other Than The Night.” Not only for nostalgic reasons, but just because it’s such a great song, despite his unusual vocal performance. I believe this was one of the first times he went with a more belting vocal style for a song instead of his usual twang.
The Jackson song has always been good for a laugh, but like Kevin, I feel that there are likely more deserving songs of his that didn’t make the list.
Seeing Kid Rock on this list just hurts my heart. What annoys me most about “All Summer Long” is that not only is it heavily overplayed, but I’ve also had to endure it during the friggin Winter, as well.
Sigh…this list continues to be a train wreck with too much FGL and other bros being overrepresented. I’m also sick of seeing Billy Currington on this list, and Chris Young for that matter. He’s also way overrepresented for an artist who’s squandered his potential for many years now. “Who I Am With You” is not too bad, but I agree, not one of his best.
I actually really like Garth Brooks’ voice and I like “Somewhere Other Than the Night”, but I agree that he couldn’t quite vocally pull it off in the way that he tried to.
I also agree that the Billy Dean cover is better than the original and one of his best songs.
Except for the Chris Young and Billy Dean songs (although it isn’t his best), a very forgettable group of 10.
What the heck is “Werewolves of Summer?” Having a ball with these, can’t wait for the rest of the installments. I was driving down the road yelling what the heck every other song.