The 28 Best Brad Paisley Songs, from He Didn't Have to Be to Then

What is Brad Paisley's most famous song?

"Whiskey Lullaby", his heartbreaking duet with Alison Krauss, is Brad Paisley's most famous song. "Then" and "She's Everything" are his best-loved love songs, and "Mud on the Tires" and "Ticks" show off his playful side.

Brad Paisley's early hits

1. "Who Needs Pictures", 1999: his debut single.
2. "He Didn't Have to Be", 1999: his first number one, a tribute to a stepfather.
3. "We Danced", 2000: a number one about a chance meeting in a bar.
4. "Two People Fell in Love", 2001: a song about everything that begins with love.
5. "Wrapped Around", 2001: an upbeat, guitar-driven love song.
6. "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)", 2002: a comic song about choosing fishing over love.
7. "I Wish You'd Stay", 2002: a gentle goodbye.
8. "Celebrity", 2003: a satire of fame and reality TV.
9. "Little Moments", 2003: a sweet song about loving someone's flaws.

Brad Paisley's number ones of the mid-2000s

10. "Whiskey Lullaby", with Alison Krauss, 2004: one of country's saddest duets.
11. "Mud on the Tires", 2004: a joyful back-roads date song.
12. "Alcohol", 2005: a witty song sung from the drink's point of view.
13. "When I Get Where I'm Going", with Dolly Parton, 2005: a gentle song about heaven.
14. "The World", 2006: a love song about being everything to someone.
15. "She's Everything", 2006: a heartfelt wedding favorite.
16. "Ticks", 2007: a funny, flirty country hit.
17. "Online", 2007: a comic song about life on the internet.
18. "Letter to Me", 2007: advice to his teenage self.
19. "I'm Still a Guy", 2008: a funny look at what never changes in a man.
20. "Waitin' on a Woman", 2008: a sweet song about growing old together.

Later Brad Paisley songs

21. "Start a Band", with Keith Urban, 2008: a guitar duel between two virtuosos.
22. "Then", 2009: a love song about how love grows over time.
23. "Welcome to the Future", 2009: a reflective song about how the world has changed.
24. "Water", 2010: a summer song about the lake, the pool and the beach.
25. "Remind Me", with Carrie Underwood, 2011: a duet about rekindling a marriage.
26. "Southern Comfort Zone", 2013: a song about leaving home to see the world.
27. "Today", 2017: a song about savoring a perfect day.
28. "Last Time for Everything", 2017: a bittersweet look at life's final moments.

Who is Brad Paisley?

Brad Paisley was born in 1972 in Glen Dale, West Virginia. His grandfather gave him his first guitar when he was eight, and he was playing on local radio as a teenager. After studying music business in Nashville, he released his debut album in 1999 and quickly became a star. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2001, was named the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year in 2010 and co-hosted the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood for more than a decade. He is married to actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who appeared in his video for "I'm Gonna Miss Her".

A guitar hero of country music

Brad Paisley is known as one of the finest guitar players in modern country. His songs often feature long, playful solos on his Telecaster-style guitars, and he has released instrumental tracks alongside his hits. His duet "Start a Band" with Keith Urban became a showcase for two of the genre's best players.

The story behind He Didn't Have to Be

Brad Paisley co-wrote "He Didn't Have to Be" with Kelley Lovelace, inspired by Lovelace's experience of becoming a stepfather. The song thanks a man who chose to raise another man's child as his own, and it became Paisley's first number one. It is still one of the most popular songs for a stepfather's birthday, Father's Day or a wedding dance. See our personalized Father's Day song for a stepdad for a gift idea.

Brad Paisley songs for a wedding

"Then", "She's Everything", "Little Moments" and "We Danced" are favorite first dances for country couples, and "Waitin' on a Woman" is a sweet choice for an anniversary dance. See our country wedding songs and country love songs for more.

Funny Brad Paisley songs

For laughs, play "Ticks", "Online", "Celebrity", "Alcohol", "I'm Still a Guy" and "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)". His sense of humor is a big part of why his concerts feel like a party. See our funny love songs for more.

Brad Paisley songs for summer

For a summer playlist, start with "Water", "Mud on the Tires" and "Southern Comfort Zone", then add "Ticks" and "Today" for a long evening outdoors. They are perfect for a lake day, a bonfire or a drive down a back road with the windows down.

A country song about your story

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