Long live the Chief.
In many ways, Eric Church is a bit of an enigma in country music. Oftentimes, he strays away from what many would consider to be classic hallmarks of the genre, including but not limited to rare uses of fiddle in many of his songs and the outright refusal to use steel guitar on many of his songs post Sinners Like Me. Despite this constant urge to push the limits and reinvent his sound, Church has remained not only one of the best artists in the genre over the two decades but also one of the most important, influencing megastars like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs as well as alternative country standouts such as Carter Faith, Charles Wesley Godwin, Colby Acuff and more.
When you actually take a look at his career accolades, it’s not quite as robust as you might think. Sure, he finally won his long-awaited CMA Entertainer of the Year Award in 2020, along with a double-up Album of the Year win at the ACMs and CMAs for Chief years before. With that being said, however, he’s never been an awards show darling like Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson or Miranda Lambert.
Looking at his overall career chart-wise, it’s even more shocking. Despite being recognized as one of the best and most influential country artists of the 21st century, the “Springsteen” singer only has seven solo #1 hits (11 if you count collaborations) on both of Billboard’s country charts (Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay). Of course, you can chalk most of it up to him not playing the radio game, focusing on albums over singles and generally doing whatever he wants artistically.
With all of that being said, he hasn’t sent that many songs to radio over the course of his career — especially as of late. Taking a look at his discography, his officially released singles only tally to 31 (not including features).
Throughout the years, we’ve ranked every song in his discography and songs from various albums. One thing we haven’t done, however, is rank every single he’s issued to country radio. So without further ado, let’s dive into it.
31. “Cold One”
Something had to be last on the list, and to me, it has to be “Cold One.” Is the track awful by any means? No, not at all. However, when you rank it against tracks like “Sinners Like Me” and “Lightning,” you really can’t compare the two. Simply put, “Cold One” feels like it could be written and recorded by any country artists; a majority of Church’s discography does not.
30. “Love Your Love The Most”
Eric himself has gone on record saying that “Love Your Love The Most” was his best attempt at trying to play the radio game and releasing a more cookie-cutter song to radio. While it’s miles better than most of the love songs found on country radio today (or at the time of its release), it still feels pretty boring when stacked up against other releases such as “Like a Wrecking Ball” and “Like Jesus Does.”
29. “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)”
Overall, I’ve always found 2009’s Caldwell County a bit of a forgotten, underrated gem in Church’s discography, highlighted by his stellar cover of “Chevy Van” and “My Heart’s Got a Memory.” As for “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love),” it’s an extremely pleasant listen; however, it feels a bit generic.
28. “Hell on the Heart”
Admittedly, I’ve always had a soft spot for this one. Hell, I remember being eight years old, buying this song on iTunes years ago (remember those days?). With that being said, “Hell on the Heart” feels like one of Church’s only attempts at a more pop-country-leaning song.
27. “The Outsiders”
If you like it when the Chief leans heavier into his rock influences, this is sure to be much higher. For me, while liking a majority of the album, I’ve always found the title track a bit try-hard. Church’s outlaw nature over the past two decades pretty much speaks for itself. We know it; fans know it. “The Outsiders” just feels a bit too on-the-nose for my liking.
26. “Round Here Buzz”
While not a bad song by any means, “Round Here Buzz” has always felt like the most forgettable song off his best album to date, Mr. Misunderstood. It always made sense as a single, being arguably the most commercially appealing, but it doesn’t hide the fact that it’s the weakest the Grammy-nominated record had to offer.
25. “Guys Like Me”
“Guys Like Me” has remained a fan-favorite til this day, and while it’s not bad, it’s one of the more forgettable singles to me. Much like “Cold One,” the track feels a bit too generic compared to the rest of his discography.
24. “Drink in My Hand”
This one is bound to be controversial. As Church’s biggest hit other than “Springsteen,” it’s been an absolute staple in his discography. While I’d be lying if I said I haven’t fired this one up on TouchTunes a time or two at the bar, objectively speaking, it’s one of his more by-the-books drinking songs.
Is “Drink in My Hand” a certified banger? Absolutely. Is it one of his best songs? Absolutely not.
23. “Kill a Word”
“Kill a Word” is undeniably a fascinating song. Coming out during the heated 2016 presidential election, it was undoubtedly a topical song for the time. While I definitely like the message, essentially being a pro-peace and anti-hate anthem, it just feels a bit too on-the-nose. It’s ultimately a intersting song from a construction standpoint; however, it falls to the back of his singles discography.
22. “Homeboy”
Another one of his fan favorites that is in heavy setlist rotation to this day, “Homeboy” has never connected with me quite the way that other big hits from Church have. On the surface, it’s a fascinating look at a brother losing his way, essentially being a desperate cry from him to come back. However, I’ve always found some of the lyrics (and the hook) a bit lackluster.
21. “How ‘Bout You”
A rare song from Church that contains a heavy dose of banjo and steel simultaneously, “How ‘Bout You” truly sets the stage for how well he can blend his country and rock influences together. Overall, “How ‘Bout You” is a rock-solid single from Church, especially from the early days of his career.
20. “Heart on Fire”
“Heart on Fire” is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. With a big chorus, a slick guitar lick and a set of nostalgic lyrics, it’s a fun song through and through. It’s not reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s certainly not a bad song by any means.
19. “Hands of Time”
As the only single from last year’s Evangeline vs. the Machine, “Hands of Time” felt like the perfect song for Church to release at this point in his career (and life). As a great reflection on the time-winding power of music, it feels like Church is in his sweet spot when he’s going for a more widely-appealing track.
18. “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Some have criticized “Give Me Back My Hometown” for being too whiny about a breakup. While I can see it being viewed as so, I’ve always found the track incredibly relatable. I can’t count the times I’ve driven past a restaurant, shop or city and haven’t been reminded of a former relationship. It’s an undeniably unique look at a breakup.
17. “Stick That in Your Country Song”
Coming out in the whirlwind that was 2020, complete with riots all over the country, the COVID-19 pandemic and the presidential election, there were plenty of hot-button issues and debates going on all over the U.S. While “Stick That in Your Country Song” doesn’t tackle any of those topics head-on, it essentially called out the Nashville machine for ignoring all the real-world issues we were (and currently) are facing.
Undeniably a bold choice, I can’t help but love the song and Church’s decision to release it as a statement piece.
16. “Doing Life with Me”
Releasing as the only single off the & album, the second installment of Church’s 2021 Heart & Soul project, I feel like “Doing Life with Me” is one of his most forgotten tracks to impact radio. With that being said, it might just be his most underrated. Being a tribute to his family who have supported him throughout his years on the road, it serves as a universal love letter to anyone who has made an impact on your life.
15. “Monsters”
I’ve always found “Monsters” a bit of an odd choice to be released as a single; however, there’s no denying it’s a great song from the North Carolina native. Continuing Church’s journey into fatherhood, here, he leans on his faith, explaining to his son that the real horrors we face are found in the real world — not a titular monster in the closet.
14. “Talladega”
“Talladega” is one of Church’s top songs for a reason. It’s timeless, nostalgic and, most importantly, relatable. While not everyone has Talladega; everyone has that one moment with their friends before they go their separate ways and enter adulthood. Church is at his best when he’s tapping into nostalgia, and it’s showcased well once again here.
13. “Some Of It”
Is “Some Of It” a bit of a checklist song in nature? Sure. With that being said, it’s an undeniably great song that sees Church expound small idioms and nuggets of wisdom throughout that, at their core, are wise words to live by. It’s a track that only gets better with age.
12. “Creepin'”
“Creepin'” is one of those songs that feel like only Church himself can create. Having such a distinct vibe, from the swampy banjo to his vocal performance, it’s one of the most dynamic songs in his deep discography. Though it’s not one of his highest-charting songs by any means, there’s a reason why “Creepin'” has remained a fan favorite to today.
11. “Like a Wrecking Ball”
Leaving nothing to the imagination, “Like A Wrecking Ball” is such an unabashedly sensual track. As one of the best love songs he’s ever recorded, the track feels like something Conway Twitty would release back in the day — delivered in a way that only Church himself could.
10. “Hell of a View”
Much like “Heart on Fire,” “Hell of a View” is another crowd-pleaser just done a bit better. The chorus, in particular, is one of the Church has ever written, complete with one of the best chorus drops you’ll hear in country music. It’s big, incredibly melodic and, more importantly, simply infectious.
9. “Desperate Man”
“Desperate Man” and the entire album it’s named after have been pretty divisive since their release in 2018. With that being said, however, I’ve absolutely loved it throughout the years. As for “Desperate Man” itself, it’s easily one of the most unique tracks in Church’s singles discography. Clearly taking inspiration from the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil,” the track is out there in all the best ways.
8. “Two Pink Lines”
Only Eric Church would release a song about the fears of teenage pregnancy as his second single, and for that reason, you have to give him props for having the balls to do that, especially all the way back in 2006. Complete with some stellar harmonica, the track is one of his best songs from a pure storytelling perspective.
7. “Smoke a Little Smoke”
Much like “Creepin’,” “Smoke a Little Smoke” is a song that feels like only Church could release. As we know, his label did NOT want it to be released as a single, and what resulted is a career-defining track for the living legend. From the steady percussion to the rockin’ guitar in the latter half of the song, it’s remained one of Church’s best singles.
6. “Record Year”
In country music, breakup songs are dime a dozen. “Record Year,” however, breathes new life into the classic trope. Though he’s still wallowing in his sorrows, he flips the concept of having a “record year” on its head — relying on the power of music to get him through the heartbreak. Simply put, it’s just a piece of songwriting genius that feels effortless from a writer like Church.
5. “Like Jesus Does”
Though it’s one of the rare tracks in his discography not penned by him, instead being written by Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell, “Like Jesus Does” has remained one of the greatest love songs ever recorded by Church. Touching on themes of redemption and unconditional love, it’s a powerful song through and through.
4. “Sinners Like Me”
The title track to his debut album remains one of the greatest songs in Church’s entire discography. Serving as an ode to both his family and now, by extension, the fanbase he’s curated over the past two decades, “Sinners Like Me” is a truly special song that perfectly encapsulates why Church has remained one of the most influential country artists of the century.
3. “Springsteen”
What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about “Springsteen?” Being the most popular song in Church’s incredibly deep discography, it’s been streamed over 739 million times on Spotify alone. It’s also one of the highest-selling country songs of all time, selling over 8 million total units and being certified 8x platinum by the RIAA. Additionally, the track earned the 48-year-old singer/songwriter a pair of Grammy nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance in 2013.
Obviously, the song, at its core, is an ode to the legendary Bruce Springsteen, referencing his classic hits, “I’m On Fire,” “Born to Run,” “Born In the U.S.A.” and “Glory Days,” simultaneously reflecting on a young lost love throughout the track.
There isn’t too much to say. There’s a reason why “Springsteen” has remained one of the most popular country songs from the 2010s and the 21st century as a whole; it’s simply that good.
2. “Mr. Misunderstood”
This placement is bound to cause a bit of controversy; however, “Mr. Misunderstood” is such a special song to me, personally. I’m sure I speak for quite a few people when I say that this song felt like it was written just for me. From the high tops in the back of the class to the obsession with music outside the Top 40, there were many times in my life, both in high school and in college, when I felt like the titular character.
Beyond the incredibly relatable lyrics for all the outcasts and music nerds, “Mr. Misunderstood” is such a masterfully produced and dynamic song from start to finish. There are a few songs that I consider a true 10/1o, but this one is up there for me.
1. “Lightning”
Finally, we have one of Church’s earliest singles, the one and only “Lightning.” While it was never actually pushed to country radio, they did make a music video for it so we’re going to count it. Telling the story of an inmate on death row, who’s later revealed to be convicted due to an armed robbery gone deadly in order to provide for their baby, pleading for God to save him, it’s one of the most haunting and masterfully-written country songs of the 21st century. Simply put, it’s hard to top a track as perfect as “Lightning.”
