[2026] A Guide to Country Music: From the Latest Hits to Classic Favorites
What kind of image comes to mind when you hear “country music”? In fact, country music—which has influenced pop, hip-hop, and more—remains an enormously popular genre today, especially in its home base of the United States.
Taylor Swift, one of the most famous Western artists in Japan, actually first rose to fame as a young country singer.
To explore the appeal of country music, this article will introduce the latest country songs in the first half and classic standards in the second half.
We hope this piece helps you discover great country songs that are not so well known in Japan!
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[2026] A Guide to Country Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics (91–100)
One That Got AwayMichael Ray

This is a song released in 2018 by Michael Ray, known as a country music singer.
It has a very refreshing sound that matches his rich, soaring vocal style.
Just listening to it can lift your spirits, so give it a try when you’re feeling down.
Also, don’t miss the cool guitar solo in the middle of the track.
Mr. SandmanChet Atkins

June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001.
Born in Rattlesnake, Tennessee.
A country and rock musician who had a tremendous influence on later guitarists.
He also worked as a studio musician, playing rhythm guitar on Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog.” “Mr.
Sandman” was released as a single in 1955 and reached No.
13 on the country chart.
Its ragtime-style guitar, played with a thumb pick, is a distinctive feature.
19 Somethin’Mark Wills

Mark Wills is an American country music artist who has been active since 1996.
This track was released in 2002 and reached No.
1 on the U.S.
country chart.
It is a track that was nominated for the CMA Awards.
Texas ForeverHudson Westbrook

Hailing from Stephenville, Texas, country music’s breakout star of 2024, Hudson Westbrook, has released the title track from his debut album in May 2025.
His music blends the Red Dirt tradition with a modern sensibility.
This release is a country ballad where warm acoustic guitar and fiddle shine, celebrating his unwavering love for his hometown.
The album Texas Forever, which will include this track, is slated for release in July 2025, and the lead single House Again has already racked up 45 million streams on Spotify—proof of his undeniable talent.
It’s a perfect song for reminiscing about home at dusk or for anyone seeking a melody that truly touches the heart.
Scornful WomanOliver Anthony Music

Oliver Anthony Music, an American artist who powerfully gives voice to the emotions of ordinary people like a modern-day bard.
In August 2023, despite being previously unknown, he embodied a true Cinderella story by reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The track introduced here is a piece of country-folk that hits home with his raw, signature acoustic sound and raspy, soulful vocals.
It lays bare searing feelings about the friction in human relationships and the betrayal that springs from it, rendered in unvarnished words that seize the listener’s heart.
Released in June 2025, this single follows his March 2024 album Hymnal of a Troubled Man’s Mind.
For those who want to touch the unfiltered emotions in his singing, or who seek music that expresses life’s bitterness in a straight, honest way, this is a song that will resonate deeply.
Jesus Wouldn’t DoJordan Davis

Jordan Davis, a Louisiana-born American artist who breathes pop and soul into traditional country and captivates many listeners.
In 2021, he proved his talent by winning CMA Song of the Year for his collaboration with Luke Bryan on “Buy Dirt.” His standout release from June 2025 is a track slated for inclusion on his upcoming August album, “Learn The Hard Way.” Centered on a reflective theme—“Things You Wouldn’t Do If You Said Yes”—the song expresses gratitude for forgiveness and growth through faith.
Set to a country-pop sound woven from the warm tones of acoustic guitar and strings, his sincere vocals are sure to resonate deeply.
It’s a heartwarming piece, perfect for quiet nights of self-reflection.
Miami (feat. Lil Wayne and Rick Ross)Morgan Wallen

This work beautifully blends the distinct genres of country and hip-hop to paint a poignant scene.
The vocalist is American star Morgan Wallen.
For this release, he’s joined by hip-hop legends Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, elevating the moody original into something even more dramatic.
Wallen’s wistful vocals riding over trap-leaning beats intertwine with the two artists’ distinctive rap verses, creating a truly breathtaking sound.
The track is a remix from the album “I’m The Problem,” which spent eight consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard 200, and it generated major buzz after a teaser was unveiled during a tour stop in Arizona in July 2025.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play while gazing at the city lights at night, lost in thought.



