The 1990s are often called the “Golden Era” of country music. So let’s take a look at the era’s best songs, shall we?
It was a decade that was dominated by some of the biggest names in country music. George Strait. Brooks & Dunn. Tim McGraw. Garth Brooks… those names popped up a whole lot as I dove into Billboard’s Top Country Hits from each year of the ’90s.
As you scroll through this list, each year’s top song (the one that spent the most time at No. 1 on the charts) is listed, along with some other massive hits from artists you’ll definitely recognize. Some of the biggest names in the genre’s history emerged or asserted their dominance during the decade. All in all, it just goes to show that the ’90s really was an incredible era for the country genre.
Go ahead and dive in, and feel free to let us know if there’s any songs that you feel like we left out in the “honorable mention” sections for each year:
1990
“Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait
Honorable Mentions: Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places,” Alabama’s “Jukebox in my Mind,” and another classic from Brooks: “The Dance.”
1991
“Down Home” by Alabama
Honorable Mentions: “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” by Alan Jackson, “She’s In Love With The Boy” by Trisha Yearwood, and “Brand New Man” by Brooks & Dunn.
1992
“Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
Honorable Mentions: Brooks & Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “What’s She Doing Now” by Garth Brooks, and another all-timer from Brooks & Dunn: “Neon Moon.”
1993
“Chattahoochee” by Alan Jackson
Honorable Mentions: “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” by Toby Keith, “I Love The Way You Love Me” by John Michael Montgomery, and “Alibis” by Tracy Lawrence
1994
“I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery
Honorable Mentions: “Don’t Take The Girl” by Tim McGraw, “Wild One” by Faith Hill, and “Summertime Blues” by Alan Jackson
1995
“I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw
Honorable Mentions: “Check Yes or No” by George Strait, “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery, and “Summer’s Comin'” by Clint Black
1996
“My Maria” by Brooks & Dunn
Honorable Mentions: “It Matters To Me” by Faith Hill, “Time Marches On” by Tracy Lawrence, and “Little Bitty” by Alan Jackson
1997
“It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Honorable Mentions: “One Night at a Time” by George Strait, “Love Gets Me Every Time” by Shania Twain, and another from Strait: “Carrying Your Love with Me.”
1998
“Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw
Honorable Mentions: “This Kiss” by Faith Hill, “I Just Want To Dance With You” by George Strait, and “I’m Alright” by Jo Dee Messina
1999
“Amazed” by Lonestar
Honorable Mentions: “How Forever Feels” by Kenny Chesney, “Please Remember ME” by Tim McGraw, and “Write This Down” by George Strait
Throw all those songs together and you’ve got yourself one heck of a playlist. Speaking of… if you are in the ’90s country mood now, you’ll want to check out our “Saved by ’90s Country” playlists below.
