- In the 2020s, Country Music experiences a dynamic revival, blending modern elements with traditional roots. This fusion of styles allows the genre to adapt to new generations, gaining popularity with a wider audience.
- On RadioVideo.Music, around 500 songs released in the 2020s are tagged “Country Music.” Among them, ten have over fifty million views on YouTube, and two have over one hundred million.
- Overall, the 5 most popular tracks are Luke Combs’ “Forever After All and “The Kind of Love We Make,” Blake Shelton‘s “Nobody But You,” HARDY’s “wait in the truck” with Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman’s “Fall In Love.”
- We have listed the 20 “Country Music” songs released in the 2020s, with the highest engagements over the last 30 days.
- You will find them below in descending order of engagements.
|
|
 |
 1 . Miley Cyrus - End Of The World In "End of the World," Miley Cyrus toys with the idea of apocalypse as invitation, wrapping existential dread in a shimmering uptempo sound. Teaming up with members of indie-pop band Alvvays, she crafts a sonic escape hatch for those inclined to romanticize chaos. Clad in a green sequined dress, she glides through a haze of glamour in the video, keeping doom stylishly offbeat.
Genres : ,Country pop, glam rock The music video is directed by Miley Cyrus, Jacob Bixenman, Brendan Walter >> More by the same : Website 480.93% / -63.03%
|
|
|
 2 . Ella Langley - You Look Like You Love Me (w/ Riley Green)Ella Langley and Riley Green trade perspectives in this piano-driven country duet, set in a smoky bar. With playful lyrics and a throwback feel, the song spins a narrative of mutual attraction and spontaneity, anchored by Langley and Green's harmonious vocal chemistry.
Genres : Country, Pop,modern country pop, contemporary country The music video is directed by Wales Toney, John Park, Ella Langley Featured on the album hungover 20.50% / 0.45%
|
|
|
 "Worst Way" drips with late-night yearning, as Riley Green leans into a familiar mix of twang and temptation. Released in 2024, the track appears on his EP "", offering a sultry detour within his catalog. The Alabama native made waves with "There Was This Girl" in 2018 and continues to fuse traditional country with contemporary production. He teams up with Ella Langley for "you look like you love me," adding another duet to his repertoire.
Genres : Country,country The music video is directed by Shane C. Drake Featured on the album Way Out Here (ep) 74.97% / 0.21%
|
|
|
 Layered with Southern charm, "Smile" moves through regret and resilience, weaving Morgan Wallen's signature blend of country storytelling with a melancholic twang. The lyrics tread familiar ground, sketching out heartache with self-reflection, as he wrestles with losing someone who once found joy in his presence. Acoustic guitars and a slow-burning melody set the tone, underpinning a track that leans into nostalgia without drowning in sentimentality.
Genres : Country,contemporary country The music video is directed by Justin Clough 29.69% / 0.23%
|
|
|
 Bailey Zimmerman's debut single “Fall In Love,” released in February 2022, combines Americana and country-rock sounds. The song's lyrics tell of a broken-hearted protagonist whose ex has started a new life in South Carolina. With Zimmerman's gritty vocals, the song reached #1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart and earned quadruple Platinum certification in the U.S. and Canada.
Genres : Country, Pop,contemporary country, modern country pop The music video is directed by Robert Duke 5.90% / 0.41%
|
|
|
 6 . Hardy - Wait In The Truck (w/ Lainey Wilson)HARDY and Lainey Wilson's 2022 release “Wait in the Truck” tackles domestic violence with a storyline of a man avenging a battered woman. Produced by Joey Moi and Derek Wells, the song alternates between the man's and woman's perspectives. The video, released in August 2022, visually portrays the intense narrative, helping the track secure the 2023 CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year.
Genres : Country, Pop,contemporary country, modern country pop The music video is directed by Justin Clough Featured on the album The Mockingbird & the Crow 3.07% / 0.27%
|
|
|
 7 . Luke Combs - Forever After All“Teardrops” emerges in October 2020 as the closing single of Bring Me the Horizon’s "Post Human: Survival Horror," co-produced by vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish. Sonically leaning into nu metal, alternative rock, emo, and metalcore, the track slips in an altered elephant sound at the 10-second mark—a studio joke turned audio easter egg. Lyrically, it chronicles tech fatigue, anxiety, and depression, borrowing its chord progression from Linkin Park’s “Somewhere I Belong.”
Genres : Country,contemporary country, country 2.73% / 0.33%
|
|
|
 8 . Luke Combs - The Kind Of Love We MakeLuke Combs explores a new sound by merging country with R&B in “The Kind of Love We Make,” produced by Combs, Chip Matthews, and Jonathan Singleton. Released in June 2022, it depicts an intimate evening and achieved 3x Platinum in the U.S. Its music video portrays multiple couples' relationships, marking a stylistic shift for Combs while reaching #2 on Country Airplay.
Genres : Country,contemporary country, country The music video is directed by Tyler Adams Featured on the album Growin' Up 2.98% / 0.42%
|
|
|
 Morgan Wallen's “You Proof,” produced by Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome, debuted in 2022, reaching #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay. Wallen portrays heartbreak through country-pop elements, reflecting on a futile search for a “proof” strong enough to erase his ex's memory. The video, set in various bars, visualizes his emotional escape, while a high-speed chase scene with Charly Jordan adds a surreal touch.
Genres : Country,contemporary country The music video is directed by Justin Clough Featured on the album One Thing at a Time 3.32% / 0.18%
|
|
|
 Lainey Wilson's September 2024 single "4x4xU," produced by Jay Joyce, is a soulful ballad celebrating love and comfort. Inspired by her partner, Devlin "Duck" Hodges, its lyrics emphasize finding a home in love. The video, set in a vintage pickup, extends the narrative from her prior release "Hang Tight Honey."
Genres : Country, Pop,contemporary country, modern country pop The music video is directed by Dano Cerny Featured on the album Whirlwind 23.81% / 0.69%
|
|
|
 Cody Johnson's “Dirt Cheap,” produced by Trent Willmon, channels deep-rooted nostalgia and an unwavering attachment to family heritage. The lyrics paint vivid memories of childhood and unbreakable family bonds, depicting a farmer's refusal to part with his land despite lucrative offers. The land holds irreplaceable value, intertwined with generations of cherished experiences. Premiering on CMT and broadcasted on Paramount's Times Square billboard, the video showcases this reverence for family legacy before reaching YouTube. Released in March 2024, "Dirt Cheap" underscores how values and memories remain invaluable.
Genres : Country, Pop,classic texas country, contemporary country, modern country pop The music video is directed by Dustin Haney Featured on the album Leather 16.47% / 0.50%
|
|
|
 12 . Lainey Wilson - Wildflowers And Wild Horses Lainey Wilson's “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” released in November 2023 and produced by Jay Joyce, blends traditional country and Americana. Wilson reflects on themes of perseverance and freedom, inspired by her rural Louisiana roots. The song's prominent appearance in a Wrangler campaign underscores its celebration of independence.
Genres : Country, Pop,contemporary country, modern country pop The music video is directed by Patrick Tracy 10.61% / 0.40%
|
|
|
 Blake Shelton steps into new territory with "Texas," his first solo single since 2022 and his inaugural release under BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville after years with Warner Bros. Nashville. The track nods to George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas," weaving nostalgia with Shelton's easygoing charm. Penned by Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, and Lalo Guzman, and produced by Scott Hendricks, it arrives with the biggest radio add day of Shelton's career. Across 12 studio albums and 54 singles, Shelton has notched 28 number-one hits on country charts, selling 52 million singles and 13 million albums in the United States, per the RIAA. Beyond music, his long tenure as a coach on "The Voice" broadened his audience far past country loyalists.
Genres : Country,classic oklahoma country, contemporary country, country, country road The music video is directed by Ada Rothlein & Jennifer Ansell 57.68% / -0.75%
|
|
|
 Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown's duet “Thank God,” released in September 2022, reached #1 on Billboard's Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs, achieving double Platinum in the U.S. This country-pop ballad, filmed in Hawaii, celebrates their love story, marking their first collaboration.
Genres : Country,black americana, contemporary country, country, country road, The music video is directed by Alex Alvga Featured on the album Different Man 3.34% / 0.26%
|
|
|
 16 . Justin Moore - You, Me, And WhiskeyJustin Moore and Priscilla Block's October 2022 duet “You, Me, & Whiskey” brings intimacy to the forefront, reaching #37 on Billboard's Hot 100 and earning Platinum status. The song portrays a shared moment, enhanced by whiskey's warmth, between two lovers.
Genres : Country, Pop,arkansas country, contemporary country, country, country road, modern country pop The music video is directed by Cody Villalobos Featured on the album Stray Dog 14.51% / 1.77%
|
|
|
 17 . Kane Brown, Jelly Roll - Haunted "Haunted" pairs Kane Brown and Jelly Roll in a raw meditation on fame’s double-edged sword, channeling an unflinching exploration of depression and mental tribulations. Triggered by Kane Brown's unsettling stay at Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel, the lyrics are steeped in spectral imagery like "I'm haunted by the voice in my head / I'm haunted by the taste of that lead." Verses weave between Brown’s stark introspection and Jelly Roll’s raspy vulnerability, dissecting how wealth amplifies rather than soothes internal struggles. Musically, the track stitches cinematic grandeur into a rugged country-rock framework, powered by Jelly Roll’s brooding delivery against Kane Brown’s storytelling prowess. The accompanying video, shot in Wyoming's hauntingly pristine Jackson Hole forests, features cameo appearances by Brown’s wife, Katelyn, and their daughter, Kingsley. Kane Brown, celebrated for his fluid blend of country, R&B, and EDM, finds a kindred collaborator in Jelly Roll, whose candor around past addiction amplifies the track’s weighty undertone.
Genres : Country, Hip Hop,country, pop country, country hip hop The music video is directed by Alex Alvga 53.60% / 0.01%
|
|
|
 18 . Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris - Chasing After You“Chasing After You” pairs Ryan Hurd with wife Maren Morris in a duet that traces the loop of a romance that never quite ends. The song leans into the push-pull of reconciliation, where walking away feels as habitual as coming back. Produced by Teddy Reimer and Aaron Eshuis, it serves as the lead single from Hurd’s debut album “Pelago.” Certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, the track earns two CMA nominations and a place on the Billboard Hot 100.
Genres : Country, Pop, Rock,contemporary country, country pop, country road, modern country rock, classic texas country The music video is directed by TK McKamy Featured on the album Pelago 2.89% / 0.83%
|
|
|
 19 . Cole Swindell - She Had Me At Heads CarolinaCole Swindell's June 2022 release “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” pays tribute to Jo Dee Messina's 1996 hit “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” The song topped Country Airplay for five consecutive weeks and reached double Platinum. Produced as an homage, the video features Messina herself and reimagines ‘90s country nostalgia.
Genres : Country, Rock,contemporary country, country, country road, modern country rock The music video is directed by Spidey Smith Featured on the album Stereotype 5.08% / 0.09%
|
|
|
 20 . Tyler Hubbard - Dancin' In The CountryTyler Hubbard's "Dancin' in the Country" fuses country and pop, anchored by a four-on-the-floor backbeat and a guitar riff shaped around a C suspended second chord. Co-written with Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, and Keith Urban, the song takes lyrical cues from Nite's first date with his wife, painting a picture of a romantic escape into the night. A demo surfaced in 2023, featuring Urban on guitar, bass, ganjo, and vocals, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse at its creation.
Genres : country, pop country The music video is directed by Stephen Kinigopoulos 8.72% / 0.09%
|
|
Modest disclaimer: We don’t claim to be exhaustive. It’s possible you won’t find a title you expected to see on this list. Sorry about that — these things happen.
ABOUT COUNTRY MUSIC
Origins, Evolution, and Subgenres
Country Music, born in the early 20th century in the American South, is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of the region. Drawing from folk, blues, and gospel influences, Country Music often recounts stories of everyday life, work, heartbreak, and perseverance.
Over the decades, several subgenres emerge to reflect cultural shifts and evolving musical tastes.
In the 2020s, Country Music enjoys a vigorous resurgence by incorporating pop, rock, and even hip-hop elements while preserving its traditional foundations. A notable example of this pop-rock fusion is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen, released in 2021 to widespread critical and commercial success. Wallen combines classic country themes with urban beats and electric guitars, retaining the genre’s characteristic storytelling of lost love and family bonds.
Luke Combs, another prominent figure in contemporary country, merges traditional sounds with modern production. Songs like “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “Forever After All” reflect a rock influence in his compositions while remaining firmly anchored in country’s values and aesthetics.
A bolder evolution is seen in the rise of “country trap”, popularized by artists like Lil Nas X with his hit “Old Town Road” in 2019, which retains its cultural significance in the 2020s. This song blends country elements (banjo, cowboy life lyrics) with trap rhythms, creating a unique hybrid that expands the genre’s boundaries.
These tracks have gone viral on platforms like TikTok, introducing Country Music to younger, urban audiences often less familiar with the genre.
“Bro-country”, already popular in the 2010s, also experiences a revival in the 2020s with artists like Florida Georgia Line and Sam Hunt, focusing on lighter themes like parties, relationships, and leisure activities, often set in rural or lakeside settings. This style offers an accessible and entertaining experience, though it sometimes draws criticism from traditionalists for its divergence from country’s roots.
Finally, contemporary country artists openly tackle personal and introspective themes. Artists like Ingrid Andress and Kacey Musgraves explore topics of family and relationships, love and heartbreak, and self-discovery in a modern light.
Melody, Instrumentation, Production, and Labels
Country Music in the 2020s often retains a recognizable, engaging melody, accompanied by instrumentation that balances modernity with tradition.
The acoustic guitar remains a cornerstone, frequently supported by electric guitars, banjos, mandolins, and fiddles, with modern percussion adding depth.
In terms of production, key figures like Joey Moi (Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line), Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Lainey Wilson), and Dan Huff (Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett) play a pivotal role in crafting sounds that allow the genre to evolve while maintaining its authenticity.
Key Country Music Labels
Country Music Online Media
Numerous media outlets are dedicated to promoting and analyzing Country Music.
Connections Between Country Music and Fashion
Several brands shape the contemporary Country Music aesthetic, combining traditional elements with modern influences to create a distinctive style.
- Wrangler: This iconic denim brand collaborates with country artists, like Lainey Wilson, for ad campaigns that celebrate authentic western style.
- Ariat: Known for its western boots and apparel, this brand outfits many country artists and fans, embodying a modern cowboy look.
- Stetson: Famous for its western hats, Stetson is a symbol of country culture, worn by many artists at concerts and events.
- Boot Barn: This retailer offers collections inspired by country artists like Miranda Lambert, allowing fans to adopt a style directly influenced by their idols.
- Levi’s: While generally associated with American style, Levi’s often incorporates country-inspired elements and collaborates with Country Music artists for special collections.
- Justin Boots: A well-loved boot brand in the country scene, linked with rodeos and rural culture, fitting the typical style of country artists.
- Kimes Ranch: Known for its ranch-inspired denim, this clothing brand aligns with country style through durable and modern designs.
- Lucchese: This handmade boot brand is a western staple, frequently worn by country celebrities.
- Rock & Roll Denim: Created for country fans, this brand offers a youthful style inspired by rodeos and music.
- Double D Ranch: A luxury clothing brand that integrates western craftsmanship with sophisticated style, popular with country artists and fans.
|
ADJACENT GENRES
- contemporary country
- country road
- modern country rock
- country dawn
- country pop
- countrygaze
- classic texas country
- country rap
- alternative country
- outlaw country
- black americana
- new americana
- queer country
|
