The Top 10 Country Songs on Spotify…I’m Shocked

What a contrast. I would listen to any of those ten songs; when I watched the similar top-10 pop a few weeks ago, I literally couldn't stand any of the tunes -- and I generally am not a country music fan.
So weird. But as Rick might say, all ten of these were actually SONGS, with a verse, a chorus, sometimes a bridge, and musicians. What a concept.

mann the country list got more to it than the pop list
trend to copy and lack of creativity destroyed modern pop
though country songs may use the same or similar progression each song is distinct
production wise and melody wise, the whole song writing i might say

"Sounds like Phil Collins with a banjo" - classic line, Rick!😆

Hey man... just because you have a banjo or a fiddle in the song don't make it country...

Loveee this, Top 10 countdowns are the best

Isn't "Watermelon Moonshine" basically "I believe I can fly"?

I like me some “country” sometimes and I’m no expert but to me it’s pop with a twang

So much cringe !!!!!! Can't stand this video !!!!

Well produced yes.. But kinda boring, no? Very monotonous vocal melodies and everything is super predictable. But then again, who the hell am I?

Gotta hand it to you Rick, your videos are always a suprise to me, you review every kind of music, even the kinds I dont always care for, and you do it tastefully and professionally!

Is it “country” or is it rock pop with a southern accent. Gone is the hurdy gurdy honky tonky twang… thank goodness

Well done, enjoyed getting your take on these songs

huge fan of country seems like the last refuge for solid chords and lyrics.

I’m a Nashville songwriter and a long time fan of Rick. Appreciate the props for our genre. The lyric is so so important in country music, even the songs that lean into pop tell a good story.

That Nate Smith intro sounds just like High and Dry's solo by Radiohead

Modern country…the endless beer commercial.

Modern country, say last 15ish years, has become pop music. The writing has gotten away from real world story telling and essence of country has changed dramatically. But I hear some lyrical themes that resonate with what country should stand for here. Which is great.

It's why Chris Stapleton, Sturgis Simpson, Jason Isbell etc got so popular for a while, as they have have a sound and tell a story that folks over 30 relate to lol.. I can say that there's a slight move in the right direction with a couple of these songs, but some of them are still pretty generic to me.

But, there's no denying that the production and musicians found in Nashville are the best in the world. But it's blasphemy to auto-tune or click track anything here, and that's been standard for some time now. Sad.

Isn’t Lainey Wilson also known for her can? 😉

"haven't heard this song before"...proceeds to start playing it after 3 seconds...goes to show how extremely good Rick's ear is...lol

What do you get when you mix country with rap? That's right kids, crap. An entire genre of music infiltrated and devastated.

Sucks not seeing Jason Isbell on this list. Oh well, it's to be expected.

Todays music...SUCKS

watermelon moonshine sounds just like 'I believe I can fly"

Rick, i think youve pretty much highlighted the "challenges" with the Top 40 these day which appear to be driven by something other than genuine great music. Inversely, modern country has essentially filled the gap of quality rock & pop and become more mainstream than folks might realise. Excellent reviews, agreed with everything you said. Love it 👍🏼😎

What astounds me is how these beautiful backing tracks and instrumentations are ruined by over compressed, produced and auto tuned vocals

Country music is the last music. Everything else has been corrupted.

I can’t wait for a movie that’s entirely soundtracked by Zach Bryan songs

Can you analyze Tyler the creator’s songs I’m super curious

About the Lainey Wilson song: Am I crazy, or does it have phrasing and music that sounds similar to Craig Morgan's "That's What I Love About Sundays"?

Tracy Chapman !!! <3


Also, the last song remind me another song but can't catch the name of it...

« Phil Collins with Banjo» Ha ha. This is Pop music. Its not enogh with Southern drawl and Cowboy hat.

Cover some more Zach Bryan!

Love Chris Stapelton. Please do a Hardy one. Wait in the truck is just so well written. Also Matt Mason E so well written

Chris Stapleton is the best thing country music has.

it appears the heater in the room isn't working. loved this episode

I don’t know man. A lot of this sounds like pop music with a country twang.

That being said, chord progressions and production values are definitely more interesting.

There is definitely one I’ll give a further listen!

Little Texas is still the latest country artist I listen to. Still, this is at least music in a post-apocalyptic landscape.

If he liked Kane Brown, wait until he hears a song that’s actually good

" country music " ?
I heard very little country music here and what I did wasn't a good showing for or very representative of the genre.

I was going to say I can't believe it, but I know how it is these days.
How were Charley Crockett Colter Wall or Summer Dean not in the top 10 ?
I guess it's because so many " country fans " don't know what real country music is, they can't handle true country music because it's not watered down enough to be palatable to people who normally listen to pop rap and hip hop.

In 2004 Stonewall Jackson sued the Grand Ole Opry after they told him he was too country and stopped booking him, that right there sums the problem up perfectly.

"White Horse" gave me some Bon Jovi vibes during the intro.

Rick just droping a note to thank you for your informative and inspiring videos. They are always such a pleasure to watch and your presentation is excellent. As a music person myself I find all your videos spot on thank you again

Couldn't agree more! Please more country!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Most of that crap isn't country, in my opinion.

Not much as country, but they'd all do better at pop music...
Just saying

This is just twangy pop rock, right? It's all songwriting and production and musicianship--basically Motown. It'd be fun to hear your take on some "real" country music.

I know some of the songs had it, but man, steel guitar is really dissappearing in modern country, and it disappoints me

This is country? This is way different than country just 20 years ago.

Not bashing any of this music or the artists... But I'm seriously wondering what classifies this as "country music" ? Is it the accent being used when singing? Most of this stuff sounds like industry-pushed, trend pop. Again... not bashing, but its the same old stuff labeled as something different to keep people buying in. It sounds like something Brittney Spears would have been singing. Well... I guess I did bash it with that comment.

Dude, the Brothers Osborne!!!! Please listen to their riffs