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[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 Collection of the Latest Hits and Timeless Classics (31–40)

10,000 HoursDan + Shay, Justin Bieber

Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber – 10,000 Hours (Official Music Video)

10,000 HoursDan + Shay, Justin Bieber

This is a collaboration between Dan + Shay, a country duo that has become a regular at the Grammys in recent years, and the one and only American superstar Justin Bieber.

Released in October 2019, it became a huge hit, reaching No.

4 on the U.S.

charts.

While rooted in country music, the song is crafted as a catchy pop tune you’ll want to hum along to, making it popular not only with country fans but with a broad audience.

It’s also a perfect entry point for anyone new to country music.

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Goodbye EarlDixie Chicks

The Chicks – Goodbye Earl (Official Video)

Goodbye EarlDixie Chicks

Originally a song performed by Sons of the Desert in the late 1990s.

It was covered by the Dixie Chicks in 2000 and became a hit.

The cute and comical music video features Dennis Franz and Jane Krakowski, who are also known for their work in TV dramas.

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Somebody Like YouKeith Urban

Keith Urban – Somebody Like You (Official Music Video)

Somebody Like YouKeith Urban

This is a single released from Australian country rocker Keith Urban’s 2002 album Golden Road.

The song, which expresses a desire to fall in love, was also remixed for the 2003 film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

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Try That In A Small TownJason Aldean

Jason Aldean – Try That In A Small Town (Official Music Video)

Try That In A Small TownJason Aldean

Jason Aldean’s new country music “bible,” Try That In A Small Town.

Woven with sounds and words that reflect the toughness and tight-knit bonds of the community he grew up in, this work has impressively reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sparked social debate.

It carries a candid message about rural versus urban life.

While controversial in parts, it prompts reflection on the importance of what we choose to protect.

Other musicians have responded as well, and the song deserves attention as a work that opens new horizons in country music.

It’s undoubtedly a memorable track that conveys Aldean’s true intentions.

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Country SquireTyler Childers

Tyler Childers – Country Squire (Official Video)

Country SquireTyler Childers

Tyler Childers is an artist whose unique musical style—combining genres like bluegrass and folk with country music—is especially captivating.

While country has been heavily influenced by genres such as pop and traditional sounds have become less common, Tyler continues to sing traditional country music even today.

His album Country Squire is also crafted with a classic sound.

If you like laid-back songs, be sure to check it out!

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