17 Best Underrated Country Songs: Secret Sounds of Country

Hey fellow music lovers and aspiring DJs! I’ve got something special for you today – a curated list of the 17 best Pearl Jam songs that’ll make a fantastic addition to your playlists.

Here are the best underrated country songs that you can check out:

List Of Best Underrated Country Songs

Best underrated country songs in a list format:

1. “Overdue” by Molly Tuttle (From “When You’re Ready”)

From the fingerpicking maestra Molly Tuttle’s debut album “When You’re Ready”, “Overdue” is a poetic and intricate song that beautifully conveys emotions of longing and realization. It’s an unsung masterpiece deserving of more recognition.

2. “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band (From “You Get What You Give”)

“Colder Weather,” from the Zac Brown Band’s “You Get What You Give” album, is a tale of a wandering man trapped by the call of the open road. Despite the band’s popularity, this song is still remarkably underrated for its lyrical depth and vocal delivery.

3. “Jesus and Elvis” by Hayes Carll (From “Lovers and Leavers”)

From the album “Lovers and Leavers,” Hayes Carll’s “Jesus and Elvis” is a touching tale of a bar decorated for Christmas year-round. The subtle storytelling, combined with Carll’s raspy voice, makes for an unforgettable tune that isn’t appreciated nearly enough.

4. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert (From “Revolution”)

Despite being a hit, Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” from “Revolution” deserves even more acclaim. It’s a poignant tale of nostalgia and longing for simpler times that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level.

5. “If We Were Vampires” by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit (From “The Nashville Sound”)

This track from “The Nashville Sound” is an intimate rumination on love and mortality. Jason Isbell’s songwriting skills shine in “If We Were Vampires,” and the haunting melody is truly captivating.

6. “Hold My Hand” by Brandy Clark (From “12 Stories”)

“Hold My Hand,” from Brandy Clark’s “12 Stories,” showcases her as one of the most nuanced songwriters in country music today. The song, a powerful story of love and insecurity, has an emotional depth that can’t be overlooked.

7. “Remember Everything” by Eric Church (From “Desperate Man”)

From the “Desperate Man” album, “Remember Everything” is a deeply touching Eric Church track that expresses the pain of regret and the hope for forgiveness. Church’s passionate delivery elevates this song to an emotional high.

8. “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley ft. Alison Krauss (From “Mud on the Tires”)

Despite its heart-wrenching narrative, “Whiskey Lullaby” from Brad Paisley’s “Mud on the Tires” is not as renowned as it should be. The duet with Alison Krauss is a stirring portrayal of sorrow and regret that’s both haunting and unforgettable.

9. “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter (From “Did I Shave My Legs for This?”)

“Strawberry Wine” from Deana Carter’s debut album “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” is a nostalgic and bittersweet tale of young love and growing up. Carter’s soothing voice and the poetic lyrics make this song an underrated gem.

10. “Sinners Like Me” by Eric Church (From “Sinners Like Me”)

From Eric Church’s debut album “Sinners Like Me,” this track of the same name is a reflective piece that delves into family and heritage. Its honest and relatable storytelling is underappreciated.

11. “Humble and Kind” by Lori McKenna (From “The Bird & The Rifle”)

While Tim McGraw’s rendition of this song is more popular, Lori McKenna’s original version from her album “The Bird & The Rifle” is an understated masterpiece. Its message of humility and kindness is timeless.

12. “Burning House” by Cam (From “Untamed”)

“Burning House” from Cam’s “Untamed” is a poignant tale of lost love and regret. With a haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics, it’s an underrated track that pulls at your heartstrings.

13. “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton (From “Traveller”)

Chris Stapleton’s rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey,” from his “Traveller” album, is a powerful testament to his incredible vocal abilities and his soulful style. Despite its popularity, it’s still underrated for its emotional depth.

14. “Merry Go ‘Round” by Kacey Musgraves (From “Same Trailer Different Park”)

From her debut album “Same Trailer Different Park,” “Merry Go ‘Round” is a biting critique of small-town life. Kacey Musgraves’ raw honesty in her songwriting deserves even more recognition.

15. “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan (From “I Love It”)

Craig Morgan’s “Almost Home,” from the “I Love It” album, is a touching story of a homeless man’s dream of better times. Its poignant narrative and Morgan’s passionate delivery make it a criminally underrated song.

16. “Smoke A Little Smoke” by Eric Church (From “Carolina”)

From the album “Carolina,” Eric Church’s “Smoke A Little Smoke” showcases his edgier side. This rebel anthem may not have topped the charts, but its raw energy and bold lyrics make it a standout.

17. “Different for Girls” by Dierks Bentley ft. Elle King (From “Black”)

“Different for Girls,” from Dierks Bentley’s “Black” album, offers a fresh perspective on breakups. This duet with Elle King deftly explores gender expectations and is criminally underplayed despite its thought-provoking lyrics.

Fun Facts: Best Underrated Country Tunes

1. “Overdue” by Molly Tuttle

Fun fact: Molly Tuttle, the artist behind “Overdue,” is not only an accomplished singer-songwriter but also a remarkable guitarist. She made history as the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year award, not just once but twice!

2. “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band

Fun fact: The inspiration for “Colder Weather” came from a melody that Zac Brown would play during soundchecks. Co-writer Wyatt Durrette heard the tune and penned the lyrics, initially via text message, creating one of the band’s most memorable hits.

3. “If We Were Vampires” by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

Fun fact: “If We Were Vampires” is a real-life love song. Jason Isbell wrote it about his wife and fellow musician Amanda Shires. He wrote the lyrics imagining what it would be like if one of them died first, adding a touching sense of mortality to the song.

4. “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert

Fun fact: “The House That Built Me” was originally intended for Miranda Lambert’s then-husband, Blake Shelton. However, upon hearing the song, Lambert was moved to tears and decided to record it herself. It became her first number-one hit.

5. “Humble and Kind” by Lori McKenna

Fun fact: Lori McKenna wrote “Humble and Kind” as a reminder to her five children about the important things in life. The song went on to win Song of the Year at both the Country Music Association Awards and the Grammy Awards.

6. “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton

Fun fact: Although Chris Stapleton’s version of “Tennessee Whiskey” is widely loved, it’s actually a cover. The song was originally recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981, and later by George Jones in 1983, whose version was a top hit.

7. “Merry Go ‘Round” by Kacey Musgraves

Fun fact: “Merry Go ‘Round” was one of the first songs that Kacey Musgraves co-wrote with her now-regular collaborators Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The song established Musgraves’ reputation as a forthright lyricist unafraid to tackle serious social issues.

8. “Different for Girls” by Dierks Bentley ft. Elle King

Fun fact: “Different for Girls” was a breakthrough for Dierks Bentley, earning him his first-ever Grammy nomination in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category. Despite not winning, it marked a significant milestone in his career.

And there you have it, fellow music lovers! Dive in, explore these gems, and immerse yourself in the magic of underrated country music. Keep the volume up and the spirit free!

Thanks for reading.

TBone