The 25 Best Gary Allan Songs, from Smoke Rings in the Dark to Set You Free

What is Gary Allan's most popular song?

"Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)", "Man to Man", "Tough Little Boys" and "Nothing On but the Radio" are Gary Allan's number one country hits and his most popular songs, along with "Watching Airplanes", "The One", "Right Where I Need to Be" and "Best I Ever Had".

Gary Allan's number one songs

1. "Man to Man", 2002: a fiery song from Alright Guy and his first number one.
2. "Tough Little Boys", 2003: a tender song about becoming a father.
3. "Nothing On but the Radio", 2004: a playful, upbeat number one from See If I Care.
4. "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)", 2012: a hopeful anthem and the lead single from Set You Free.

Gary Allan's biggest hits

5. "Watching Airplanes", 2007: an aching heartbreak song and a number two hit.
6. "The One", 2002: a gentle, patient love song and a number three hit.
7. "Life Ain't Always Beautiful", 2006: a resilient number four single from Tough All Over.
8. "Right Where I Need to Be", 2000: a top five hit from Smoke Rings in the Dark.
9. "Her Man", 1996: his debut single and a top ten hit.
10. "It Would Be You", 1998: a top ten title track.
11. "Best I Ever Had", 2005: his top ten country version of the Vertical Horizon hit.
12. "Smoke Rings in the Dark", 1999: a moody, atmospheric title track.
13. "Songs About Rain", 2003: a melancholy single from See If I Care.
14. "A Feelin' Like That", 2006: a new song from his Greatest Hits album.

More Gary Allan songs

15. "Learning How to Bend", 2008: a reflective single from Living Hard.
16. "Man of Me", 2001: the lead single from Alright Guy.
17. "Today", 2009: the lead single from Get Off on the Pain.
18. "Get Off on the Pain", 2010: a hard-edged title track.
19. "She's So California", 2008: a breezy single from Living Hard.
20. "Pieces", 2013: a heartfelt single from Set You Free.
21. "Lovin' You Against My Will", 2000: a classic country single from Smoke Rings in the Dark.
22. "Kiss Me When I'm Down", 2010: a gritty single from Get Off on the Pain.
23. "It Ain't the Whiskey", 2013: a haunting single from Set You Free.
24. "Hangover Tonight", 2015: a standalone single.
25. "Waste of a Whiskey Drink", 2020: the lead single from Ruthless.

Who is Gary Allan?

Gary Allan was born Gary Allan Herzberg on December 5, 1967, in La Mirada, California. He grew up playing honky-tonks in Southern California, and his music draws on the Bakersfield sound of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard more than on Nashville polish. He signed with Decca Records in 1996, moved to MCA Nashville after Decca closed, and built a career on albums that critics praised for their honesty: Smoke Rings in the Dark, Alright Guy, See If I Care, Tough All Over and Set You Free.

Tough All Over and a hard season

In October 2004 Allan's wife, Angela, died by suicide. He stepped away from music for a time, then came back with Tough All Over in 2005, a deeply personal album about grief and survival that includes "Best I Ever Had" and "Life Ain't Always Beautiful". It is often called his most honest record. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For more songs for hard times, see our country funeral songs.

The story behind Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)

"Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" arrived in 2012 as the lead single from Set You Free and became his fourth number one, topping both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Its message of hope after hard times struck a chord with fans who had followed him through his darkest years, and Set You Free went on to top the country albums chart.

The California country sound

Gary Allan's music has always sounded different from mainstream Nashville. His steel guitars, twangy Telecasters and rough-edged voice owe a lot to Bakersfield, the California town where Buck Owens and Merle Haggard built a raw, electric alternative to the smoother Nashville sound in the 60s. Fans of Dwight Yoakam, another Californian who carried that torch, often love Allan's records too. For more, see our Dwight Yoakam songs.

Gary Allan albums to start with

• Smoke Rings in the Dark (1999): his breakthrough album.
• Alright Guy (2001): with "Man to Man" and "The One".
• See If I Care (2003): with "Tough Little Boys" and "Nothing On but the Radio".
• Tough All Over (2005): his most personal album.
• Set You Free (2013): with "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)".

Gary Allan songs for a wedding

"The One" is a beautiful first dance song, and "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" is a hopeful choice for a couple who has weathered hard times together. "Tough Little Boys" is a touching pick for a father-son or father-daughter moment. For more, see our country wedding songs and country love songs.

Gary Allan songs for dads

"Tough Little Boys" is one of the great country songs about fatherhood and a favorite for Father's Day, a new dad or a baby shower. For more songs for fathers, see our songs about dads and father-son songs.

Gary Allan songs for a road trip

For a drive, start with "Nothing On but the Radio", "Man to Man" and "Right Where I Need to Be", then settle into "Smoke Rings in the Dark" and "Watching Airplanes" as the miles roll by. "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" is a perfect song for the last stretch home. For more, see our road trip songs.

Gary Allan songs for a memorial

"Life Ain't Always Beautiful" and "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" are often chosen to remember a country fan, offering comfort without pretending grief is easy. "Tough Little Boys" is a moving tribute to a father, and "Songs About Rain" and "Learning How to Bend" suit a quiet moment of reflection as family and friends gather. For more, see our songs for dad in heaven.

Why Gary Allan stands out

Many country stars of the 2000s leaned toward pop, but Gary Allan kept a rougher, more traditional edge, choosing dark ballads and story songs as often as radio-friendly hits. That stubbornness earned him a loyal following and the respect of critics, who often call him one of the most underrated country singers of his generation.

More country music

If you love Gary Allan, explore our 90s country songs, Tim McGraw songs and Whiskey Myers songs.

A country song about your story

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