Music of a wonderful world

[2026] A Guide to Country Music: From the Latest Hits to Classic Favorites

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

[2026] Recommended Country Music: A roundup of the latest hits and timeless classics (181–190)

God Bless the USAMelvin Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood – God Bless the USA (Live in 1985)

God Bless the USAMelvin Lee Greenwood

Born on October 27, 1942.

Active since 1962, with over 35 singles charting on the Billboard Country Music chart.

“God Bless the USA” was first released in 1984, but it also drew attention during the Gulf War in 1991 and again after the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks.

The song feels more like an easy-listening ballad than traditional country.

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In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, country music is a genre with tremendous influence, especially in the American music scene, and the fact that this hasn’t changed in the 2020s is clear from the overwhelming play counts on YouTube and various streaming services.

If this article made you think, “I’d avoided it, but now I’m kind of interested,” then I’m delighted!