The 12 Best Colter Wall Songs, from Sleeping on the Blacktop to Calgary Round-Up

What is Colter Wall's most famous song?

"Sleeping on the Blacktop", heard in the films Hell or High Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and "The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie", certified platinum in Canada, are Colter Wall's most famous songs. Fans also love "Kate McCannon", "Calgary Round-Up" and "Plain to See Plainsman", which was featured in Yellowstone.

Colter Wall's best songs

1. "Sleeping on the Blacktop", 2017: a dark, driving outlaw song made famous by film.
2. "The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie", 2015: the haunting early song that made his name.
3. "Kate McCannon", 2017: a chilling murder ballad in the old folk tradition.
4. "Plain to See Plainsman", 2018: a prairie song heard on Yellowstone.
5. "Calgary Round-Up", 2018: a cowboy song about the rodeo life.
6. "Thirteen Silver Dollars", 2017: a lonesome song from his debut album.
7. "Motorcycle", 2015: a stark, bluesy early song.
8. "Fraulein", 2017: his duet with Tyler Childers on the country classic.
9. "Saskatchewan in 1881", 2018: a song about the early days of the Canadian prairie.
10. "Cypress Hills and the Big Country", 2022: a love letter to his home landscape.

More Colter Wall songs

11. "Snake Mountain Blues", 2018: his take on the Townes Van Zandt song.
12. "Henry and Sam", 2020: a gentle song from Western Swing and Waltzes.

Who is Colter Wall?

Colter Wall was born on June 27, 1995, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and grew up on the Canadian prairies, where his father, Brad Wall, later served as Premier of Saskatchewan. He became known for his remarkably deep baritone, which sounds far older than his years, and for songs that draw on cowboy ballads, folk, blues and old-time country. His self-titled debut album, produced by Dave Cobb, came out in 2017.

A cowboy singer for today

Unlike most modern country stars, Colter Wall sings about real ranch work: cattle drives, horses, rodeos and the hard winters of the plains. Albums like Songs of the Plains and Western Swing and Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs mix his own story songs with traditional cowboy tunes and poems, and he has worked on ranches himself. That honesty has won him fans far beyond country radio, from Americana listeners to viewers of Yellowstone.

The voice

The first thing most people notice about Colter Wall is his voice: a deep, weathered baritone that many listeners compare to Johnny Cash and the old cowboy singers of the 30s and 40s. He usually accompanies himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica, often with spare backing of pedal steel, fiddle and upright bass, which keeps the focus on the stories. His slow, unhurried delivery makes even his darkest songs feel calm and steady.

Colter Wall albums to start with

• Imaginary Appalachia (2015): the debut EP, with "The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie".
• Colter Wall (2017): with "Sleeping on the Blacktop" and "Kate McCannon".
• Songs of the Plains (2018): his tribute to the prairies.
• Western Swing and Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs (2020): cowboy songs with a dance-hall swing.
• Little Songs (2023) and Memories and Empties (2025): his most recent work.

Taking time away

In March 2026 Colter Wall announced an indefinite break from live performance to look after his mental health, and fans around the world sent their support. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States and Canada.

Colter Wall songs for a road trip or a quiet night

For a long drive across open country, play "Sleeping on the Blacktop", "Calgary Round-Up", "Cypress Hills and the Big Country" and "Plain to See Plainsman". By a campfire or on a quiet night, "Thirteen Silver Dollars", "Henry and Sam" and "Saskatchewan in 1881" set the mood. For more, see our road trip songs and traditional folk songs.

More country storytellers

If you love Colter Wall, explore our Steve Earle songs, Jason Isbell songs, Whiskey Myers songs and Kris Kristofferson songs.

A cowboy ballad about them

Colter Wall's songs tell real stories about real people and places. A personalized country song can do the same for someone you love: their name, the land they come from and the work and memories that made them who they are. It makes a heartfelt gift for a rancher, a grandfather or anyone who loves the open range.

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