[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 Classic Favorites (101–110)
Back in the SaddleLuke Combs
This track by American artist Luke Combs made waves after being chosen as the opening theme for a televised sports event.
With its powerful guitar riffs and driving drums, it’s an impressive country rock number.
The lyrics capture the thrill of hitting the road for tour again and a heartfelt longing for home, perfectly complementing Combs’s deep, expressive vocals.
Released in October 2024 and included on the album “Country Comes First,” it has received high praise, including a nomination for Single of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards.
It’s the perfect song to kick off something new or to belt out at the top of your lungs on a drive!
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be CowboysDeana Carter & Sara Evans
A collaboration between American country music singers Deana Carter and Sara Evans.
Originally a hit track released in 1975 by Ed Bruce, it has also been covered by artists such as Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
Broken Hearted People (Take Me To A Barroom)Guy Clark
This is a song by Guy Clark, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter from Texas.
It was included on his 1976 album “Texas Cookin’.” It’s described as a smooth, dusky ballad that pairs well with late-night tears and whiskey.
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.
Sugar in the TankJulien Baker & TORRES
The collaborative song released in December 2024 by Julien Baker and TORRES—two artists at the forefront of the American indie rock scene—is a captivating, country-tinged number.
The old-school country-rock sound crafted by these two Southern-raised musicians pairs memorably with lyrics about a deep love that rescues one from self-destructive tendencies.
They gave the song its television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on December 10, where the sweet, aching interplay of Baker’s banjo and TORRES’s Telecaster guitar drew significant attention.
Brimming with affection for country music, this track is one that fans who appreciate profound emotional expression should definitely hear.