The 40 Best 2000s Country Songs, from Breathe to Need You Now

What was the biggest country song of the 2000s?

Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying", Faith Hill's "Breathe", Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" are among the defining country hits of the 2000s, and Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" closed the decade as a huge crossover hit. Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" became the country song most associated with September 11.

The biggest country hits of the 2000s

1. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw, 2004: a life-affirming song about making every day count.
2. "Breathe", Faith Hill, 1999: a crossover ballad that dominated 2000.
3. "I Hope You Dance", Lee Ann Womack, 2000: a wise, tender song of encouragement.
4. "Before He Cheats", Carrie Underwood, 2006: a revenge anthem and a huge crossover hit.
5. "Need You Now", Lady Antebellum, 2009: the late-night crossover smash.
6. "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)", Alan Jackson, 2001: a quiet reflection on September 11.
7. "Jesus, Take the Wheel", Carrie Underwood, 2005: the first single from her debut album after American Idol.
8. "Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band, 2008: a feel-good ode to simple pleasures.
9. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts, 2004: a beloved wedding song.
10. "Remember When", Alan Jackson, 2003: a tender look back at a long marriage.

Party and good-time country hits

11. "Redneck Woman", Gretchen Wilson, 2004: a proud, rowdy anthem.
12. "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)", Big and Rich, 2004: a genre-bending party song.
13. "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, 2003: the ultimate happy-hour song.
14. "Mud on the Tires", Brad Paisley, 2003: a country-boy date-night favorite.
15. "Suds in the Bucket", Sara Evans, 2004: a playful, upbeat hit.
16. "Summertime", Kenny Chesney, 2006: a breezy summer anthem.
17. "Beer for My Horses", Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, 2003: a western-style duet.
18. "Toes", Zac Brown Band, 2009: a beach song made for vacation.

Country love songs of the 2000s

19. "Amazed", Lonestar, 1999: a romantic ballad that crossed over to number one on the pop chart in 2000.
20. "She's Everything", Brad Paisley, 2006: a tender portrait of the woman he loves.
21. "Then", Brad Paisley, 2009: a wedding favorite about a love that keeps growing.
22. "Love Story", Taylor Swift, 2008: a fairy-tale romance and a giant crossover hit.
23. "You Belong with Me", Taylor Swift, 2009: the song that made her a superstar.
24. "Teardrops on My Guitar", Taylor Swift, 2007: her early breakthrough.
25. "Austin", Blake Shelton, 2001: his debut single and a five-week number one.
26. "The Good Stuff", Kenny Chesney, 2002: a moving song about what really matters in a marriage.

Songs about family and home

27. "My Wish", Rascal Flatts, 2006: a heartfelt wish for a child's future.
28. "Don't Blink", Kenny Chesney, 2007: a reminder of how fast life goes.
29. "Watching You", Rodney Atkins, 2006: a sweet song about a father and son.
30. "Tough Little Boys", Gary Allan, 2003: a tender song about becoming a father.
31. "Something to Be Proud Of", Montgomery Gentry, 2005: a story song about fathers and sons.
32. "Stand", Rascal Flatts, 2006: a song of resilience.
33. "Who Says You Can't Go Home", Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles, 2006: a rock band's country number one.
34. "Small Town USA", Justin Moore, 2009: a proud small-town anthem.

Story songs and heartbreak

35. "Whiskey Lullaby", Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, 2004: one of the saddest songs in country music.
36. "Gunpowder and Lead", Miranda Lambert, 2008: a fierce song that made her a star.
37. "Wasted", Carrie Underwood, 2006: a dramatic, emotional ballad.
38. "Have You Forgotten?", Darryl Worley, 2003: a patriotic number one from the post-9/11 era.
39. "Amarillo Sky", Jason Aldean, 2006: a song about a struggling farmer.
40. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue", Toby Keith, 2002: a defiant patriotic anthem.

How country music changed in the 2000s

Country music in the 2000s moved closer to pop and rock while keeping its focus on family, faith, small towns and love. Faith Hill, Shania Twain and Lonestar crossed over to pop radio, American Idol launched Carrie Underwood, Big and Rich and Gretchen Wilson brought a rowdier edge, and by the end of the decade Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band had become huge stars. The September 11 attacks also inspired some of the decade's most emotional songs.

2000s country songs for a wedding

"Bless the Broken Road", "Then", "Amazed", "She's Everything" and "Remember When" are favorite first dance and anniversary songs, "My Wish" and "Watching You" are lovely for parent dances, and "Chicken Fried", "Redneck Woman" and "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" fill the dance floor. For more, see our country wedding songs.

2000s country songs for a road trip or a party

For a road trip, play "Mud on the Tires", "Summertime", "Toes", "Chicken Fried" and "Live Like You Were Dying". For a party, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", "Redneck Woman", "Before He Cheats" and "Save a Horse" are guaranteed singalongs. For more, see our road trip songs.

More country music

For the decade before, see our 90s country songs, and for artist deep dives, our Tim McGraw songs, Gary Allan songs, Montgomery Gentry songs and Big and Rich songs.

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