Do you agree with his list?

20. Don’t Hold Back – The Dungarees

Edmonton’s Dungarees made quite an impression on Fort McMurray with three gigs over the summer including headlining Canada Day at MacDonald Island! This song packs a mean punch which especially follows through with the Travis Nesbitt directed video which features cameos from Clayton Bellamy, Dan Davidson and Brandi Sidoryk from Nice Horse

 

19. Down To The Honky Tonk – Jake Owen

Jake has made a name for himself with beach ready party tunes (I mean it worked for Kenny Chesney, right?). This song just oozes fun- and compared to a lot of the stuff coming out of Nashville these days actually sounds Country!

 

 

18. Never Be The Same – James Barker Band

This cover of Camila Cabello was never released as a single but it sure showed a lot of range for the James Barker Band who spend the majority of 2018 on the road in both Canada and the USA making a name for themselves one town at a time.

 

17. Let’s Go There – Dan Davidson

Nobody does old school barn burnin’ party tunes like Dan Davidson and he was hand made for festivals like Boots N Brews where 1,700 Country fans sang and clapped along to every song on a hot summer night at Heritage Village.

 

16. The Unraveling – Madeline Merlo

Though curiously not even being released a single until the new year, this song sure packs an emotional punch to it. With Merlo’s usual powerful vocals and a great story- look for this to be a big hit in 2019.

15. David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs – Travis Denning

One of the most common “what song was that I just heard” answers for the year, Travis Denning came out of nowhere. It wasn’t quite a number one smash but this excellent story about a young boy using a Fake ID hearkened back to what made me fall in love with Country music in the first place- storytelling. More of this and less blue jeans in 2019 please!

14. What We’re Made Of – The Washboard Union

It’s easy to see why Country fans fell in love with The Washboard Union the second they took the stage at a bar during their first ever Country Music Week. Together with producer Jeff Dalziel they’ve created quite a reputation for themselves as not only radio friendly but also wholly original every time they release something. The success couldn’t have happened to a couple nicer guys either.

13. Dear Drunk Me- Chad Brownlee

It’s been a few years of personal change for Chad Brownlee both in terms of personal and business relationships. He gave us our first taste of new music since 2016’s excellent “Hearts on Fire” and what followed was a deceptively fun sounding song that lyrically wallowed in regret. What could have broken down into cliche- the song rises above with a chorus that’s both instantly catchy and relatable at the same time. The music video is one the funniest of the year as well and certainly deserves a nod come CCMA season.

12. Walls Come Down – Meghan Patrick

Meghan celebrated her first number one single and it couldn’t have been more deserved. Releasing an almost arena rock ready single with a tempo that certainly stood out from the rest of what was happening on Country radio may have been seen as a risk but it’s one that paid off.

11. Somebody’s Daughter – Tenille Townes

THIS. THIS is what Country music needs right now. I love a good song about throwing back pints in the back of a Silverado as much as the next guy but what sets Country apart is storytelling and combined with Tenille’s incomparable vocal range this song deserves to be number 1. It almost didn’t need a music video (though this one is a real heartwarmer) as it paints the picture in your head immediately.

10. What A Song Should Do – Tim Hicks

Likely being saved for a single release in early 2019 – this one stood out from his album “Loud” immediately. This is a song that makes me scream “Hell yeah” and any music lover should relate instantly.

9. Break Up In the End – Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell has been on a role as of late and has shown a real ability to construct an emotional ballad. The stripped down production adds to the emotional punch of a song that pairs very well with the oft-repeated phrase “everything happens for a reason”

8. Simple – Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line tend to get a lot of hate – it’s almost like they are the Nickelback of country music. But every now and then they release a song that cuts through the rest and proves that these guys can still churn out some pretty legit sounding Country.

7. Woman Waiting – Kelsi Mayne

Look for big things from this fiery redhead who was recently featured on Rogers Hometown Hockey. Woman Waiting sounds like a 90’s Country tune and will be stuck in your head for hours after hearing it.

6. You Are – Aaron Goodvin

Aaron Goodvin is the real deal and the complete package. It’s incredible to think about how long he went before he caught his break constantly being told no when you realize the vocal and songwriting skills this man packs- paired with his instantly likeable personality. He can craft an expert ballad that draws you right in (Miss Me Yet, Knock On Wood) but can also pack clubs (and surely eventually arenas) with fun songs like Lonely Drum and this one without ever losing his sincerity. Add his instantly recognizable voice that stands above the rest and a ton of brilliantly written songs in the chamber- it’s not hard to see why this guy is due for another massive year

5. Get Along – Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney found a formula that works a long time ago and he’s stuck with it. But so did AC/DC, Michael Jackson and countless others. This song’s opening riff instantly puts a smile on your face and leads into one of his catchiest choruses in years.

4. One Drink Ago –  Dallas Smith & Terri Clark

“Don’t call it a comeback” Terri Clark told Country 93.3 at the CCMA’s insisting she never really went away. This song certainly helped her career resurgence though- and not too many artists get to celebrate a number 3 hit the same year they are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dallas on the other hand, has never went away and continues to churn out hit after hit. This song really nicely balances the best of both of their worlds and the two of them make an incredible pairing. A song that very much so lived up to the hype after it was teased earlier in the year!

3. Worth A Shot – Aaron Pritchett

There’s a battle on your Country radio station right now. Chris Stapleton and Brothers Osbourne among others are making a name for themselves with their brand of traditional country while artists like Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini continue to further stretch the boundaries of pop. No one song in 2018 seemed to blur those boundaries quite as well as “Worth A Shot”. It’s no doubt a dance floor packer with a driving pop beat- but it never loses it’s Country roots.

2. Whiskey Glasses – Morgan Wallen

This song is only just starting to catch on with Canadian Country radio but it’s been making a storm on streaming platforms for a while now. This is just a great song.

1. Know Good – Drew Gregory

I dare you. Nay, I triple dog dare you to listen to this song and not smile. Uplifting lyrics, one of the catchiest choruses of the year and a beat that’s impossible not to stomp along too. It became one of Drew’s biggest hits but still deserved better!

 

 

Honorable Mentions

Happy Hour – Danielle Bourjeaurd
She Got the Best of Me- Luke Combs
Tongue Tied – The Prairie States
Good Goodbye – Dean Brody
More You – George Canyon
Guitars and Gasoline – Brett Kissel
Never Comin’ Down – Keith Urban

Twenty Dollars In My Pocket – The Lovelocks
Mansplainin’ – Nice Horse
Denim on Denim – Tebey
I Was Jack (You Were Diane) – Jake Owen
Drunk Me – Mitchell Tenpenny
Camouflage – Jess Moskaluke
All About Her – Paul Brandt
Slow Burn – Kacey Musgraves

Monsters – Eric Church
Tequila – Dan + Shay

 

 

Join Mike on New Years Eve as he counts down the 93 biggest songs of 2018 – as voted on by you!

Filed under: Best of 2018