Top Country Love Songs of All Time

When it comes to 21st century wedding songs, Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” is near the top of the list. The love song logged nine weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in December 2018 and January 2019, their longest-running No. 1 to date. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I know that I’ll be a mess / The second that I see you / You won’t be surprised / It happens every time, It’s nothin’ new”

Ricky Skaggs and wife Sharon White of The Whites knew exactly what they were talking about when they sang “Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This” — the couple has now been going strong for over 40 years. The song reached No. 10 on Hot Country Songs in 1987. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “You were somethin’ darling I just couldn’t resist/ Oh love can’t ever get better than this”

Martina McBride describes what love makes her do and feel in “I Love You.” Originally recorded for the Garry Marshall-directed rom-com Runaway Bride, the song crowned the Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks in October and November 1999. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “If I’m dreamin’, please, don’t wake me up/ ‘Cause baby, I can’t get enough”

Little Texas sing about a fiery kind of love in their 1994 single. The track off Big Time became their only song to reach No. 1 on a Billboard chart, crowning the Hot Country Songs survey for two weeks in April. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “If you’re looking for a heart that’s always true/ Only to you, then my love/ My love, my love is ready for you”

Falling for a married man isn’t unheard of, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t taboo. No matter the consequence, Barbara Mandrell is willing to risk it all in this soulful ballad, which topped Hot Country Songs in April 1979. It wasn’t the first time the song reached the top of a Billboard chart. Luther Ingram’s original version topped Best Selling Soul Singles (as the chart was called then) for four weeks in July 1972. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Am I wrong for trying to hold on/ To the best thing I ever had?”

Ah, young love. Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna chronicle the cutest of meet-cutes in “Young Love” which peaked at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in May 1989. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “She didn’t have to say what she was feeling inside / He could see the answer shining in her eyes”

Kenny Chesney hits on that soul-crushing feeling of trying to get over someone in “Somewhere With You.” The country single with a rock n’ roll twang peaked atop the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks in January and February 2011. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “You won’t ask and I won’t say/ But in my heart I’m always somewhere with you”

When words aren’t your thing, this Charley Pride track will do the trick as a gift to your lover. “You’re So Good When You’re Bad” hit No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in November 1982. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “You’re closest thing Heaven that I’ve ever had”

Faith Hill joins husband Tim McGraw for their 1997 musical love letter. The track didn’t just top Hot Country Songs for six weeks — it also became the couple’s first top 10 hit on the Hot 100. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Better than I was, more than I am/ And all of this happened by takin’ your hand”

Buck Owens sings about the kind of reunion that feels like it’s happening in slow motion in “Together Again.” The self-written track sat at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for two weeks in June 1964. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “The love that I knew/ Is living again/ And nothing else matters/ We’re together again”

Lady A dedicate their optimistic single to that one person they can always count on. “I Run To You” became the group’s first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in July 2009. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “When it all starts comin’ undone/ Baby, you’re the only one I run to”

This Keith Whitley classic details all the ways a lover shows their admiration and devotion without a single word. After Whitley had a Billboard Hot Country Songs No. 1 with the song in 1988, Alison Krauss & Union Station scored a hit with a version of the song in 1995. The Alison Krauss & Union Station version of the song was named CMA’s 1995 single of the year.

Most romantic lyric: “Without saying a word, you can light up the dark”

Lee Brice playfully pokes fun at the type of man he’d be if he never found his woman in “A Woman Like You.” The love song became Brice’s first No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in April 2012. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’d take a gold band on my hand/ Over being a single man/ Cause honestly I don’t know what I’d do/ If I’d never met a woman like you”

Sugarland put words to the nervousness that comes with telling a friend you’ve developed feelings for them in their upbeat country number. “Want To,” which was also co-written by the duo, spent two weeks atop Hot Country Songs in December 2006. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “We both got dreams we could chase alone/ Or we could make our own”

Merle Haggard chronicles a relationship timeline in his ballad “My Favorite Memory.” The slow-moving track became the singer’s 27th No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in November 1981. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “There’s a million good daydreams to dream on/ But baby, you are my favorite memory of all”

Blake Shelton puts his own country-rock spin on Dave Barnes’ “God Gave Me You.” The rendition became Shelton’s fifth consecutive No. 1 single on Hot Country Songs in October 2011 — and was nominated for best country song at the 2011 Grammys. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Half of what I could be/ I can’t do without you”

Big & Rich describe the moments leading up to the “I dos” in their first single off Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace. In July 2007, “Lost In This Moment” became the duo’s first and only Billboard No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Lost in this moment with you/ I am completely consumed”

In “Living In A Moment,” Ty Herndon knows just how good the love he has is. The single off his album of the same name topped Hot Country Songs in October 1996, becoming his second No. 1 on the chart. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’ll live to love you, I’d die to keep you/ Safe inside these arms that need you”

When words aren’t enough, crank up The Oak Ridge Boys’ loving country ballad. “Make My Life With You” topped Hot Country Songs in February 1985. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “If love is a game and you are the prize/ You standing here is no surprise”

Josh Turner’s sultry baritone voice does its job in his hit “Your Man.” The song became the crooner’s first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs survey in March 2006. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’ve been thinking ’bout this all day long/ Never felt a feeling that was quite this strong”

When your love for your partner goes beyond words, press play on Conway Twitty’s classically country record — which peaked at No. 2 on Hot Country Songs in 1983. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Finding that falling is easy to do/ Lost in the feeling with you”

“When We Make Love” isn’t Alabama’s only song about sex (see: “Feels So Right”), but it is their most romantic. The sensual 1984 single became the band’s 13th song to peak atop the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “We share our hearts, our souls, and our minds/ When we make love”

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sing about lovers who don’t just want each other — but need each other in their 2007 duet. One of several collaborations between the couple, “I Need You” peaked at No. 8 on Hot Country Songs. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Like the Father and the Son need the Holy Ghost/ I need you”

Stapleton melds his passionate vocal with a funky, bluesy rhythm that makes this song feel both ardent and upliftingly groovy. “Think I’m in Love With You” was included on Stapleton’s 2023 studio album Higher.

Most romantic lyric: “You are the power over me/ You are the truth that I believe”

Country legends unite! Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton’s ballad “Rockin’ Years” was a quick hit — it crowned the Hot Country Songs chart in May 1991, just a couple months after its release. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’ll be your friend, I’ll be your lover/ Until the end, there’ll be no other”

It’s easy to see that the love between the couple Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson portray in “Don’t You Wanna Stay” runs deep and hits hard. The country-rock duet sat on top of the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks in March 2011. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I don’t wanna just make love, I wanna make love last”

Taylor Swift draws inspiration from Shakespeare for her 21st century country-pop classic. Both the original and “Taylor’s Version” of the song hit No. 1 on Hot Country Songs — first in 2008 and again in 2021 as Swift’s first official re-recorded record. Listen here.

Most romantic lyrics: “Romeo, save me, they’re tryna tell me how to feel/ This love is difficult, but it’s real”

George Strait chronicles a meet-cute that begins with a chair and ends with a ride home in this hit, which earned the King of Country his seventh No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in December 1985. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Yeah, I like this song too, it reminds me of you and me”

“Buy Me A Rose” is a message for couples that get a little too comfortable in their relationships: don’t forget the little things. The track struck a chord with the country community — it spent 37 total weeks on Hot Country Songs, peaking at No. 1 in May 2000. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’m gonna hold you tonight/ Do all those little things/ For the rest of your life”

Keith Urban’s version of Rodney Crowell’s “Making Memories Of Us,” originally recorded by Tracy Byrd for his 2003 album, became Urban’s sixth No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The feel-good love song sat at No. 1 for five weeks in May and June 2005. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I wanna make your world better than it’s ever been”

Maren Morris compares a strong relationship to a home with a solid foundation in her crossover hit “The Bones.” Co-written by Morris, the song achieved huge commercial success with 19 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs, beginning in March 2020. The song also received  a Grammy nomination for best country song. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Baby, I know any storm we’re facing/ Will blow right over while we stay put”

From “the way you enjoy your two hour bath” to “your sweet gentle kiss,” John Michael Montgomery lists every little thing he loves about his significant other in this lovey-dovey ballad. His hit “I Love The Way You Love Me” sat at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for three weeks in May 1993. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “And I could list a million things I love to like about you/ but they all come down to one reason I could never live without you”

If there’s one thing to take away from Brad Paisley’s “Waitin’ On A Woman,” it’s that he’ll always be there for his partner. First recorded by Paisley in 2005 and again in 2008, the re-issue of the narrative track peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in September 2008. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I hope she takes her time, ’cause I don’t mind/ Waitin’ on a woman”

It’s not up for debate that Faith Hill is one of the most successful country hitmakers of our time, and “Breathe” is among her biggest crossover hits. The Grammy-winning ballad not only topped Hot Country Songs for six weeks in December 1999 and January 2000. It also peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “When I’m lying wrapped up in your arms/ The whole world just fades away”

Alabama’s “Feels So Right” begins as a slow-going love song, but soon emerges as a dance-ready groovy tune. The 1981 ballad with a pop flair is among their 33 No. 1 country hits — crowning Hot Country Songs for two weeks in July 1981. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “So hold me close and love me/ Give my heart a smile”

Travis Tritt sings about a breakup that he just can’t seem to let go of in his heartbreaking ballad. The driving tune spent two weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart in October and November 1991. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “My heart can’t take the beating/ Not having you to hold”

Rascal Flatts’ “Take Me There” is a man’s reassurance to his partner that he’ll love her unequivocally and without judgement. The song, co-written by Kenny Chesney, spent three weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in September and October 2007. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I wanna go down every road you’ve been/ Where your hopes and dreams and wishes live”

Cherish every moment: that’s the theme of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” In December 1989, the heartbreaking ballad became his first single to reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Did I try in every way to show her every day/ That she’s my only one”

If you’re a country fan looking for a song to walk down the aisle to, look no further than Lonestar’s “Amazed.” The beautifully romantic track didn’t just sit atop Hot Country Songs for eight weeks in the summer of 1999, it also peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for two (in March 2000). Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I wanna spend the rest of my life/ With you by my side/ Forever and ever”

The thought of outliving your significant other is scary — and Diane Warren put that feeling into words with this 1997 ballad, which Yearwood performed (as featured in the film Con Air). The poignant single peaked at No. 2 on Hot Country Songs. (LeAnn Rimes’ pop version peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100.) Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “You’re my world my heart my soul”

When you say “You make my life better,” Kenny Rogers says “You Decorated My Life.” The love song topped Hot Country Songs for two weeks in November 1979 and also reached the Hot 100 top 10. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “There was no harmony, life meant nothin’ to me until you came along”

Alan Jackson remembers the biggest moments in a couple’s relationship in “Remember When.” The nostalgic ballad became a country fan favorite, peaking at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for two weeks in February 2004. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “To where we are, where we’ve been/ Said we’d do it all again”

Randy Travis is promising forever in his classically country gem, “Forever and Ever, Amen.” The single from his ever-so-fitting Always & Forever album saw three weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs in June 1987. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “As sure as I live, this love that I give/ Is gonna be yours until the day that I die”

When Restless Heart says “for a lifetime,” they mean it. In March 1987, their reassuring love song “I’ll Still Be Loving You” became the band’s second No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “I’ll be yours/ Until the sun doesn’t shine/ ‘Till time stands still/ Until the winds don’t blow”

When the world is against you (and your relationship), Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” has got your back. The country pop icon’s mid-tempo track topped Hot Country Songs in May 1998. But it wasn’t just a favorite among country fans — it logged nine weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “You’re still the one I run to/ The one that I belong to/ You’re still the one I want for life”

Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle’s voices effortlessly blend together in their loving duet off Rabbitt’s 1982 album Radio Romance. The song topped Hot Country Songs in December 1982. It also reached the top 10 on the Hot 100 and stayed on that chart for 29 weeks, becoming the longest-charting Hot 100 hit of both artists’ careers. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “And now your love is my reward/ And I love you even more/ Than I ever did before”

We can all agree that heartbreak is one of the worst feelings. But according to Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road,” it will eventually lead to finding your soulmate. The track spent five weeks atop Hot Country Songs in February and March 2005 and earned a Grammy nomination for best country performance by a duo or group. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars/ Pointing me on my way into your loving arms”

John Michael Montgomery isn’t about breaking promises, and in “I Swear,” that’s exactly what he assures his lover. The single spent four weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart in February 1994 — the most of any of his songs. All-4-One’s pop rendition of the song was also a smash, topping the Hot 100 for 11 weeks. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “And when there’s silver in your hair/ You won’t have to ask if I still care/ ‘Cause as time turns the page, my love won’t age at all”

When you say love is eternal, Johnny Cash says it’s a “Ring of Fire.” The upbeat number never entered the Hot 100’s top 10 — it peaked at No. 17 — but it did hold the top spot on Hot Country Songs for seven weeks in the summer of ’63. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “The taste of love is sweet/ When hearts like ours meet”

Dolly Parton’s soft yet soulful tone shines in her 1974 ballad, which topped Hot Country Songs. Momentum for the song resurged in the ’90s when Whitney Houston’s iconic cover topped the Hot 100 for 14 weeks following its placement in 1992’s The Bodyguard, making it one of the biggest hits of all time. Listen here.

Most romantic lyric: “Oh I do wish you joy/ And I wish you happiness/ But above all this/ I wish you love”