Songs That Even Non-Country Listeners Enjoy

[dm2081]

So the idea behind this thread is that there are some country songs that even those who claim to hate the genre will admit to liking.  For example, I have a good friend that can't stand Country music, but will admit that he likes Zac Brown Band.  Here are some songs that I though fit the category:

Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band 
Toes - Zac Brown Band
Jesus Take The Wheel - Carrie Underwood
Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
When The Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney
Beachin' - Jake Owen
Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean
Cruise - Florida Georgia Line
Teardrops On My Guitar - Taylor Swift
Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith
Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off- Joe Nichols
Wanted - Hunter Hayes

[Kat5Kind]

Back when my cousin didn't like country music she liked:
-Before He Cheats
-Lover, Lover
-Love Story/You Belong With Me
-A few Chris Young songs
-Big Green Tractor (We ALL loved this when we were younger.)
-Johnny Cash

Now she's completely obsessed with Brantley Gilbert and likes almost any country song (thanks to me)

[.indulgecountry]

Anything bro-country, honestly. Like, I hear people all the time say "I don't like country, but I like bro-country artist A and B and bro-country song C, etc." and I just cringe because those songs are basically not even country so... duh, lol.


That said, "Suds in the Bucket" and "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans are two that I've observed have had crossover appeal to people who aren't necessarily country fans, which is especially odd considering how country "Suds in the Bucket" is, but I guess it's just a fun song for people. There's this one girl I know and that's probably one of like 5 country songs she even likes.

[bboat11]

Feb 3, 2015 10:27:33 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

Anything bro-country, honestly. Like, I hear people all the time say "I don't like country, but I like bro-country artist A and B and bro-country song C, etc." and I just cringe because those songs are basically not even country so... duh, lol.


That said, "Suds in the Bucket" and "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans are two that I've observed have had crossover appeal to people who aren't necessarily country fans, which is especially odd considering how country "Suds in the Bucket" is, but I guess it's just a fun song for people. There's this one girl I know and that's probably one of like 5 country songs she even likes.

Lucky for me, most of the non-country fans in my life are so against country because of the stereotypical themes that Bro-Country harps on mercilessly! So I have been able to work my magic by showing them that there are actually amazing artists out there who are not receiving the spotlight they deserve. Most of my friends are musicians, so they are able to appreciate and understand talent even though they may not be country fans.

I have found that my college friends are willing to enjoy Sara Evans (at least after the Born To Fly album. Her first couple were fairly dated and twangy in comparison, so I seldom risk turning those albums on for non-country fans) and Martina McBride (pretty much anything). Martina especially is somebody with obvious raw talent, and virtually zero twang, which can go a long way when it comes to attracting non-country fans! Sara's music has a more pop-leaning sound that makes her appealing to non-country fans.

As far as mainstream artists go, Carrie Underwood is always welcome around my friends. Especially the singles off her Blown Away album. "See You Again" is basically our friend group's song!!

It seems that the women are the ones who my non-country friends are most able to stand, probably because the males are the ones who are more likely to release the stereotypical country song that they always claim to hate. However, once I convinced them that country is okay through Martina and Sara, I have been able to warm them up to people like Josh Turner, whose voice is pure amazingness and who tends to stay away from songs about trucks and parties as well. It's a long, slow process, but it seems to be going well!

Most-Accepted Sara Songs (among my friends):
-Niagara
-A Real Fine Place To Start
-I Could Not Ask For More
-Saints & Angels
-A Little Bit Stronger
-Slow Me Down

Most-Accepted Martina Songs:
-Where Would You Be
-A Broken Wing
-Independence Day
-When God-Fearin' Women Get The Blues (Interesting, because this is by far her most country-sounding modern song...)
-Concrete Angel
-Anyway
-I'm Gonna Love You Through It

[tim]

It was actually my coworker that introduced me to Sturgill Simpson, and he is by every definition your very average non-country listener. He does appreciate classic artists such as Waylon and Willie as well as many 90's artists, but he can't stand the "bro-country" that has dominated country radio as of late. He hates that one song that goes "red red red rednecks" and can't stand the song "Cruise." That should give you an idea of where he likes his country music. I do have one coworker that is male and in college...he is the exact target audience for bro-country and he just eats it up. Does he have any knowledge or appreciation for country music? Nope. He just likes something he can go downtown to get drunk with and have a good time.

Anyways, here's a short list of artist and songs that have come up in my conversations with non-country listeners that they would admit to liking or appreciating:

John Anderson - "Straight Tequila Night," "Seminole Wind"
David Ball - "Thinkin' Problem"
Brooks & Dunn - "Brand New Man," "Lost and Found," "Neon Moon"
Clint Black - "Killin' Time," "Better Man"
Mark Chesnutt - "Brother Jukebox"
Dixie Chicks - "Travelin' Soldier"
Bucky Covington - "A Different World"
Joe Diffie - "Third Rock From the Sun," "John Deere Green"
Steve Earle - "Guitar Town"
Highwaymen - "Highwayman"
Alan Jackson - "Midnight In Montgomery," "Chattahoochee"
Tracy Lawrence - "Alibis," "Sticks and Stones," "Time Marches On"
Waylon Jennings - "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way"
Robert Earl Keen - "I'm Comin' Home"
Willie Nelson - "Whiskey River," "Georgia On My Mind," "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain"
Willie and Merle - "Pancho and Lefty"
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - "Fishin' In the Dark"
Sturgill Simpson - "Turtles All the Way Down," "Life of Sin," "The Promise"
Gary Stewart - "Drinkin' Thing," "An Empty Glass"
George Strait - "Ocean Front Property," "Blue Clear Sky," "Where the Sidewalk Ends"
Aaron Tippin - "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With the Radio"
Conway Twitty - "I'd Love to Lay You Down," "Slow Hand"
Keith Whitley - "I'm No Stranger to the Rain"