The Best Country Songs About The Open Road | Holler (2024)

FAQs

The Best Country Songs About The Open Road | Holler? ›

“East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed was always destined to be one of the greatest songs about being on the road. After all, it features lyrics that make us want to turn on the speed, including “Keep your foot hard on the pedal / Son, never mind them brakes / Let it all hang out 'cause we got a run to make.”

“East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed was always destined to be one of the greatest songs about being on the road. After all, it features lyrics that make us want to turn on the speed, including “Keep your foot hard on the pedal / Son, never mind them brakes / Let it all hang out 'cause we got a run to make.”

1. 'I Walk the Line' by Johnny Cash.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

John Denver

Country Roads

John Denver

Rose Garden (Original artist re‑rec...

Lynn Anderson

Sweet Home Alabama

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Friends in Low Places

Garth Brooks

Ring of Fire

Johnny Cash

One of the things that makes “Take Me Home, Country Roads” so timeless is its universality. Although it's specifically about West Virginia, the song's message of love and longing for a simpler way of life resonates with people from all over the world.

The popularity of the song inspired resolutions in the West Virginia Legislature to adopt "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as an official state song.

"Consider Me Gone," by Reba McEntire

Reba's moving on music will remind you to never settle for less than you're worth.

George Strait, often hailed as the "King of Country," is a pillar of traditional country music. Rising to prominence in the early 80s, Strait's smooth voice and timeless hits have earned him a legendary status. Songs like "Amarillo by Morning" and "All My Ex's Live in Texas" showcase his classic sound.

1. “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash.

Rolling Stone updated its list of the 500 greatest songs of all-time – its first update in 17 years. The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, took home the top spot for her version of "Respect," which was originally recorded by Otis Redding. Snagging second place was Public Enemy's "Fight the Power."

What song sounds like Holiday Road? ›

Trouble

Lindsey Buckingham

Dancin' Across the USA

Lindsey Buckingham

Say You Love Me

Fleetwood Mac

Born to Be Wild

Steppenwolf

Welcome

Brian Eno

Tezeta (Nostalgia)

Mulatu Astatke

“When determining genres, a few factors are examined, but first and foremost is musical composition. While 'Old Town Road' incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version.”

Dolly Parton's “Jolene” Named Top Country Song Of All Time By Rolling Stone.

Vernon Dalhart had the first national country hit in 1924 with “Wreck of the Old '97.” But most historians point to 1927, the year Victor Records signed Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family, as the true moment country music was born.

The song gained traction in late December 2018 after becoming the "Yeehaw Challenge" meme on TikTok, where users created short videos set to the song. The challenge is credited with launching the song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 83, the chart on which the song has since peaked at number one.

The lyrics for "Country Roads" were written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who were reportedly inspired by their drive along Interstate 81, which runs primarily through western Virginia.

"Dirt Road Anthem" was briefly featured in the 2016 drama-thriller film Patriots Day, directed by Peter Berg and starring Mark Wahlberg.

"We didn't know when we were writing it that anybody would give a s--t about dirt roads," Colt Ford once recalled about his initial 30-minute writing session for the song back in 2007, alongside Brantley Gilbert. The song's freewheeling lyrics about back-road good times connected with country fans doing exactly that.