You've heard from Chad. You've heard from Erin. Now it's my turn...even if it IS a bit late. Here are my ten favorite songs of 2014:

 

10. "Turtles All the Way Down" by Sturgill Simpson

About a year ago, my buddy Nick Cheek told me to listen to some Sturgill Simpson music. I did. And, after belatedly saying, "Thank you, Nick," I'll steer YOU toward this funky, philosophical musing on life and the right way to treat people (even while you're treating them badly) and stuff you'd think you oughta regret until you realize it's gotten you where you are today. Psychedelic John Prine.

 

 

9. "Automatic" by Miranda Lambert

Miranda hits me where I live with a spot-on reminiscence of that which we won't soon see again (unless, of course, EVERYTHING keeps getting hacked and we're forced away from all things digital). This girl has an old soul--at 31, there's some of this stuff she can't POSSIBLY remember--and she and her fellow songwriters Nicolle Galyon and Natalie Hemby are more than happy to share their wishes.

 

 

8. "The Way I'm Livin'" Lee Ann Womack

The extraordinary title cut from Lee Ann Womack's 10th album is exactly what I've come to expect from AND what I love about her. Publicly unconcerned that none of the tracks on the set sound "manufactured" or "ready for radio", Lee Ann once again bares her soul in a swampy, soulful ode to a hard life that's just too hard to give up.

 

 

7. "She Don't Love You" by Eric Paslay

He's one of the great songwriters of our day and we should stand behind him all the way. I felt like that after I heard "Song About a Girl." After I heard THIS observant and unrelenting tearjerker, I had to take a minute. In fact, I took all four of them. Then I immediately played it again. A challenging, brutal masterpiece.

 

 

6. "Talladega" by Eric Church

Five friends take one last trip before heading out and starting lives of their own in one of THE most evocative lyrics I have ever heard. Eric and co-songwriter Luke Laird have expertly brought us along for a wistful ride that one group of friends will never forget. And, of course, when he sings "sure would like to say in Talladega," we know he's not talking geography. Brilliant.

 

 

5. "Like a Cowboy" by Randy Houser

The rodeo song. It's a country music staple. We've had Garth's "Rodeo." We've had King George's "I Can Still Make Cheyenne." And we now have Randy Houser's "Like a Cowboy." The story's the same. It has to be. That's the way it is. Then you add barn-burning, powerhouse, emotional vocals like Randy's and, well, you finish in the top ten.

 

 

4. "Take Your Time" by Sam Hunt

This one feels like the true outlier among the ten simply because I don't get "country" out of this at all. Well, maybe in the chorus. But still, its pop flourishes abound on about 70% of the track. And, hey, it's a great song. It's kind of like Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It" in that he's not suggesting anything more than just talking. And anything that comes after is, well, icing on the cake. But, for now, don't go buy the icing.

 

 

3. "Pray to Jesus" by Brandy Clark

She's the greatest new songwriter in Nashville. And when you hear the songs, you're like, "Oh right. Yeah." She knows where we've been. She knows what we know. And she isn't shy about putting what some of us NEVER would out there. This is a great example of just...living. And, honestly, I don't know if it's a single, but her album has netted her a couple of key Grammy nominations for calendar year 2014, so I'm counting it. As a matter of fact, I think I'll be putting a Brandy Clark song in every top ten going forward, just 'cause.

 

 

2. "The Highway" by Holly Williams

You know, if Brandy Clark or Holly Williams ever actually had hits, it would be revolutionary for country music. It would be the incredible shot in the arm that we've all been seeking. In the meantime, find as much music by these ladies as you can. And, by all means, do NOT overlook this taut gem about life on the road and how the brain can send you to war with yourself regarding regret and fulfillment ABOUT that life.

 

 

1. "American Kids" by Kenny Chesney

It wasn't that long ago that I was accusing Kenny of recording too many songs that sounded exactly alike, of phoning it in, I guess. But, in the last few years, we've had the likes of "Out Last Night" and "Somewhere with You," not to mention the phenomenal "You and Tequila" and "El Cerrito Place."  To say that I was eagerly anticipating the initial release from his first new album in 15 months would be an understatement. And weren't we all richly rewarded with a song that has Kenny somewhere WAY outside the box with a celebration of all the facets of his life that have brought him where he is today and made him WHO he is today. And the thing is, we can all relate. If I can play a song as much as I've played this one and still crank it up every time it comes on, that's pretty special. Kudos.

 

 

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