2025 did not disappoint, y’all! There were so many albums and songs released, it’s pretty impossible to narrow it down to just five. So, I broke the “Top 5” rule a little with my list and could only narrow it down to eight. For those of you who know me well, I’ve never been the “rules” kind of gal anyway. So, this should be no shock to any of you.
This might have been the strongest year for country music in over five years. Artists put their quarantine time, when all the bars were closed and we were “safe distancing,” to good use in 2020. They did so much writing, I think everyone has enough tunes in the bucket to last us decades. This is just the beginning. It has no doubt taken all five of the years that have passed for the industry to recover and get back to full album releases and full tours. When we returned to “normal,” everyone was ready to hit the studios, but there are only so many studio hours you can have in a day, and there were more antsy artists with seven spirals of new music than there were studios to go around. So, it’s taken a little time for everything to even out. I think it’s safe to say country music is back, alive and well!
This is the first year since the pandemic that I can remember seeing this many full-length albums released, and judging from the music grapevine, they won’t be slowing down in 2026. Let me tell y’all, I am HERE for it! LFG.
These songs didn’t just land on my playlist, they ran the whole year. They had me singing harmonies in the shower (it’s the best acoustic environment, don’t judge me), hitting rewind like it owed me money, and two-stepping like nobody was watching. So, without further ado, here are the certifiable bangers I had on repeat.
Honorable Mention:
Pretty Privilege, Hudson Westbrook
I mean, come on, y’all. The name alone, I knew it was going to be an anthem. Ha! I couldn’t do a “top” anything list without Hudson being a part of it. This guy has had himself a year. From sellout shows to making the big font at festivals and his own line at Buc-ee’s, he’s undoubtedly going to be around a long while. This song is sexy and is a song every girl wants written about her or sent to her by her man on a random Tuesday. (Follow me for more single relationship advice.)
Honorable Mention:
The Chair, Braxton Keith
I told BK years ago, when he hits the big time, I’m going to ride his coattails and name-drop him all over town, and I always stay good on my word. He makes it easy with song choices like this. We felt so strongly about it that it’s one of the only songs we created an entire blog about all year long. He not only had the confidence to cover one of the most iconic songs in country music history, sung by the king of it all; he did it with class and introduced an entire new generation to this classic.
Honorable Mention
Song to Sing, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Y’all had me at “Miranda & Stapleton are going to collab,” but you throw in the nod to Dolly & Kenny and an ’80s skate rink couples-skate melody, and I am ALL the way in. I don’t think this song got near the playtime and recognition it should have.
#5: Who’s Hanging the Moon, Josh Weathers
Everyone knows I’m a ’90s dancehall diva. This took me back to driving the hour from Dripping Springs to Round Rock just to spin around on the dance floor at SPJST Dance Hall. All I can say is, Josh, thank you for bringing it all back with this nostalgic melody.
#4: 7 Mile Road, The Huser Brothers
These guys were my top artist on my Spotify Wrapped for a reason. Huser Brothers plus steel guitar equals chef’s kiss.
#3: Same to Me, Hank Weaver
I’m going to say this SUPER LOUD for the ones in the back. If you aren’t following this guy, you need to. You can thank me later. Even though this just came out a few months ago, it’s been on repeat in my brain. In my not-so-humble opinion, I think “I feel like an earthquake next to a freight train” is one of the best intro lyrics to be used in a song this year. This banger was co-written by Hank as well as Nyles Robakiewicz and Jordan Nix.
#2: Not Like I Used To, Jake Worthington
Jake’s When I Write the Song album is the best album released this year and quite possibly one of the best we’ve seen in a decade. Second only to Cold Beer & Country Music, Zach Top’s debut album, and right before his self-titled Jake Worthington album he released back in 2023. This guy is the real deal. If you aren’t in front of your bathroom mirror, blubbering the lyrics to this song like you’re talking to the one that got away, we can’t be friends.
#1: She’ll Dance for Whiskey, Parker McCollum
The only thing that would make this my official 2025 anthem is if you replace “whiskey” with “tequila.” Released on the Landman soundtrack earlier this year, it’s by far the best pull-her-close jam of the year.
And that officially wraps up my Top 5, no refunds, no skips, and zero apologies. Cheers to an epic 2025! Buckle up, buttercups, because if my instincts haven’t failed me, I think we are going to see some of the best music we’ve seen in a decade in 2026, and I love that for us.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.
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