One of the most underrated artists of the past decade.
Like many artists out there today, Kip Moore is one of those names that simply has never gotten the attention he deserves. Despite having a #1 right out of the gate with his debut single “Something ‘Bout a Truck” back in 2012, the Georgia native has routinely fallen into the “severely underrated” category throughout most of his career. And yet, it’s never really mattered. He’s carved his own path, earned his own fans around the country, and even around the world, building an impressive and sustainable career without much help from the likes of country radio.
Though plenty have harped on the fact that “Something ‘Bout a Truck,” which many still associate him with ’til this day, came out during the birth of bro-country, it’s become more than apparent over the years that the track is hardly a reflection of the quality of the rest of his discography.
Simply put, there are few artists in the mainstream who have continuously pushed the envelope and continually evolved their art and songwriting quite the way that Moore has over the past fifteen or so years. Through the years, his throughline of being a wandering spirit and oftentimes conflicted soul deep down has resulted in some of the most captivating batch of songs that may not have received the same commercial or critical success from many of his contemporaries.
With his seventh studio album, Reason To Believe, releasing this Friday, May 29th, I thought there was no better time than today to take a look back at some of his best and most underrated deep cuts that have defined his reputation as one of the most underappreciated artists of our generation.
1. “Janie Blu”
Kicking off Moore’s wildly underrated 2020 album, Wild World, “Janie Blu” perfectly sets the tone for this introspective gem of a record. Brilliantly painting the picture of a somewhat co-dependent relationship between himself as the titular Janie Blu, Moore grapples with the fact that they’ve both leaned on each other when things got hard.
With that being said, however, it’s clear that, unlike most of Moore’s discography, she’s the one doing the running from the relationship lately. In turn, it creates a beautiful sense of conflict and longing throughout the track, which ultimately results in the killer bridge that sees the Georgia native admit that he doesn’t know where else to turn other than towards her.
“But I’ve held you through the darknessBut girl, I must confessRight now, I’m barely hangin’ onLike the cross around your neck”
2. “Guitar Man”
Arguably the best song in his discography, “Guitar Man” feels like a true reflection on both Moore’s and countless other troubadours’ careers throughout history. Appearing as the closing track of his third studio album, Slowheart, it’s one of my personal favorite narrative songs in recent memory.
Serving as one of the most all-encompassing reflections on the lows that come with the lifestyle of a struggling artist — complete with late nights, next to no money, meaningless relationships, booze and the like — “Guitar Man” is one of the most honest reflections of the hardships faced while cutting teeth imaginable.
3. “Wish It Was Me”
Nowadays, it seems as if yearning songs are all the rage. Whether it’s the rise of artists like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers and Turnpike Troubadours in country music or even the rise of tracks like Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” outside the genre, there’s clearly been a shift among music listeners who are actively seeking out raw confessions of love and regret.
Here, Moore flips the typical script of a breakup song, at least for genre standards. Instead of longing for his lover to come back, he tells her how she’ll eventually come to her senses and wish it was him who was with her throughout all the hardships.
“When teardrops fall from your pale blue eyesAs sad as the sky on the Fifth of JulyWhen you’re lyin’ with him and he’s fast asleepYou’re, you’re gonna wish it was me”
Along the way, he drops some absolutely stellar lines about how fleeting love and relationships can be with the wrong person, which all culminate into one of the most unique perspectives on a breakup. “Wish It Was Me” is ultimately one of those songs that cut deep and cut even deeper if you’ve ever watched somebody fall for the wrong person.
4. “Sweet Virginia”
Another underrated track from Wild World, “Sweet Virginia” is not only an interesting track from a lyrical perspective, but it also contains one of Moore’s best vocal performances to date.
Outside of the soaring vocal performance on the chorus, what makes “Sweet Virginia” stand out is the fact that Moore faces himself and his shortcomings head-on. It’s been a common thread throughout his albums that he’s not one to stay and settle down. Here, however, while he’s clearly at a crossroads in a relationship, he lays it all on the table.
“Well love is fleetingBut love ain’t blindI never thought that I was the sentimental kindGuess I’m the sentimental kind”
An honest reflection on a “will they, won’t they?” type of relationship, “Sweet Virginia” is one of the standouts on Wild World.
5. “Bittersweet Company”
Though it’s one of the more straightforward tracks on the list, “Bittersweet Company” is simply a delight to listen to. Coming out firing right out of the gate, an extremely twangy, melodic guitar riff gives way to an equally melodic chorus. There’s something incredibly powerful and relatable about the chorus, despite its simplistic nature.
“Bittersweet Company” ultimately feels like Kip Moore in his sweet spot in a lot of ways, mixing in some heavy guitar riffs, an incredibly anthemic chorus and the always-relatable theme of lost love. It’s a bit shocking that it was never pushed to radio, especially considering the success of both “She’s Mine” and “More Girls Like You” at the time.
6. “Sometimes She Stays”
Appearing on 2023’s Damn Love, which admittedly didn’t quite generate the buzz of its predecessor, Wild World, “Sometimes She Stays” is one of the clear standouts. In particular, it touches on an all-too-familiar feeling of getting in and out of relationships with nothing but scars.
“You go through all the maybe’s, we should take it slow’sAnd you wake up with a hammer poundin’ on your heartScared you might got yourself another scarAnd when that sun creeps in, she’s halfway out the door”
Here, however, Moore provides some hope for the hopeless romantics out there in the chorus, touching on all the small moments that lead to finding the one.
“And one night turns into half a dayTurns into one more toothbrush at your placeYeah there will come a time that you turn aroundAnd never want it any other wayYeah sometimes she stays”
Overall, it’s an incredibly unique track that turns the heartache of past relationships into something beautiful and serves as a reminder that the right person is just one relationship away.
7. “Flowers In December”
One of the newest tracks from Moore, “Flowers In December” was an early standout from 2025’s Solitary Tracks. A song that can take on a multitude of meanings — everything from failed relationships, missed opportunities, past failures and the like — its central message of letting things go and not holding onto the past is a relevant one that’s sure to connect with many.
“In a way, some things get harder to rememberThe trees will lose their leaves in NovemberWould you even tell me if you everThink about the flowers in December?”
The closing verse, which sees Moore accept the peace around him, beautifully captures the strength found in letting things go and moving on to the next chapter in your life.
8. “Payin’ Hard”
As the emotional closer of Wild World, “Payin’ Hard” feels more like a confession from Moore rather than a standard song. Referencing everything from Janie Blu from the album’s opener to the fact he missed his father’s death due to living on the road, he lays it all on the line.
“I gotta live with thatLose sleep with thatWhen I close my eyesI’ll die with that, yeahMy life’s a credit cardPlay now, pay laterAnd I’m paying hard”
Like “Guitar Man,” “Payin’ Hard” is a devastating reminder of all the sacrifices artists like Moore have made along the way in order to chase their dream, and it’s made even more sobering with the “play now, pay later” line towards the end of the chorus.
9. “Part of Growing Up”
In many ways, there’s no experience more universal than growing up and aging in general. Simply put, it’s something that we all have to deal with, and it’s something we all grapple with in different ways. Here on “Part of Growing Up,” Moore takes an honest look at all that life throws at you — losing your childhood sense of wonder, first loves, first breakups, aging and everything in between.
The chorus, in particular, is an incredibly poignant message and reminder that all the struggles faced throughout your life are, at their core, part of the human experience and ultimately part of growing up.
“Some doors have opened, more have shutAnd I’ve had some dreams that turned to dustYeah, life has hit me just because itCan with heavy handsBut that’s all part of growin’ up”
10. “Girl of the Summer”
Unlike the other tracks on this list, I’ll be the first one to admit that “Girl of the Summer” isn’t the most thought-provoking or emotionally resonant song compared to other tracks in his discography. With that being said, however, it’s an absolute blast from start to finish.
A cut from his 2015 Wild Ones album, he paints the picture of a brief yet impactful summertime fling. The song is just a fun, ’80s-rock inspired romp that perfectly captures the feeling of a young, fleeting love. If nothing else, it’s a perfect song to roll the windows down and blast down a backroad.
