More Favorite Songs of 2018

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2018. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2018. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales, streams and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2018 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2018. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R and B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Love Wins - Carrie Underwood gave us an anthem with a message perfect for 2018 and for every year moving forward. Let's walk hand in hand. We are made to be here for each other. #LoveWins #StrongerTogether   

High Horse - Kacey Musgraves has already won the Album of the Year for Golden Hour at the CMA Country Music Association Awards and now she is up for Album of the Year at the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs too. High Horse is just one example of why it is getting so much acclaim.   

Diane - Cam is a real find as one of the Next Women of Country. This is exactly what we are talking about when we ask why isn't country radio playing female artists. Great songs like Diane are getting overlooked.

Make A Little - Midland: Thank goodness for Midland and the amazing country music they are giving us. And you gotta love their outfits!!!  

Most People Are Good - Luke Bryan became a very entertaining judge on American Idol this year as well as maintaining his status as the leading hitmaking country superstar with songs like Most People Are Good. 

Love Someone - Brett Eldredge not only served his fans this great song for two stepping, but this video also showcases why both he and his dog, Edgar Boogie, or both social media superstars.

Done For Me - Charlie Puth has been on a roll for the past few years delivering the best in pop music and he continued the streak in 2018 with Done For Me.

You Make It Easy - Jason Aldean delivered a true work of art with beautiful and romantic waltz. The story in the wonderful three episode video series hits all the right emotional buttons.

Burning Man - The combination of Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne on Burning Man is absolute FIRE!!! 

Lose It - Kane Brown with his hot country pop jam Lose It. He was the hottest this to happen in country music this year and this song exemplifies all the heat and energy he generated. 

More Favorite Songs of 2016

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2016. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2016. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales, streams and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2016 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2016. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R and B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Stronger Together - Jessica Sanchez: The anthem to celebrate the first woman President of the United States. Now I know something went wrong, but it's still an inspiring anthem.    

Perfect Illusion - Lady Gaga: The public can be so harsh. It's one of her best songs ever but she set the standard for herself so high that it's like nothing is ever going to be good enough again.    

Church Bells - Carrie Underwood: Another great story about a man who has done his woman wrong and paid the ultimate price. No one delivers better than Carrie.


Forever Country - Artists of Then, Now and Forever: In celebration of the 50th Annual CMA Awards the biggest in country music all came together to perform this outstanding slice of nostalgia. John Denver would have been very proud.  

You Should Be Here - Cole Swindell: This heartfelt ballad takes you on the emotional roller coaster every time you miss someone and wish they were enjoying a festive moment with you.   

We Went - Randy Houser: A high energy two step about some country bumpkins who steal from the rich and give to the poor and it turns into a hot pursuit police chase!   

Girl Next Door - Brandy Clark: A wonderful songwriter and performer who is sadly overlooked by the masses. Her breakthrough should be coming any day now with songs this good.    

Humble and Kind - Tim McGraw: Beautiful words to live by. Plain and simple, yet completely powerful. The CMT Video of the Year and the CMA Song of the Year.   

Move - Luke Bryan: This country boy is shaking it for us and it's always good!  

Infamous - Mariah Carey and Jussie Smollett: The legendary diva made an appearance on Empire and she performed this amazing song.

More Favorite Songs of 2015

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2015. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2015. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2015 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2015. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R and B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Lose My Mind - Brett Eldredge: He's tall and sexy and he sings hot new country hits.   

Make Me Wanna - Thomas Rhett: Such a great beat paired with a handsome guy singing great vocals.   

Smoke Break - Carrie Underwood: She shifts gears to show her more down home country side on this catchy hit.


Take Your Time - Sam Hunt: Talk / Singing is totally a thing thanks to this amazing ballad. 

I Still Love You - Jennifer Hudson: What a perfect song to celebrate marriage equality!!!!  

Loving Your Easy - Zac Brown Band: A throwback sound of 60's Motown updated to perfection.  

Levels - Nick Jonas: The perfect sound for a grown up boy band member going solo. So hot he makes the Queens Scream!   

Biscuits - Kacey Musgraves: More wonderful words of wisdom by a talented young lady who is bringing classic country into the new era.   

Lay Low - Josh Turner: That wonderful deep voice always pulls me in. Yes, Josh, we would love to disappear with you for a while.  

Kick The Dust Up - Luke Bryan: This two time Entertainer of the Year can always be counted on to bring the party. 

Infinity - Mariah Carey: Her outstanding show at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has her performing all 18 of her Billboard HOT 100 #1 singles. She finishes the show with this wonderful song and leaves us all wanting more.

More Favorite Songs of 2014

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2014. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2014. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2014 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2014. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R&B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Somethin' Bad - Carrie Underwood with Miranda Lambert: The two biggest female artists in Country Music got together to provide the hottest rockin jam of the year.   

Small Town Throw down - Brantley Gilbert with Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore: There was so much young smoking hot country man testosterone raging through this song it was impossible not to love it!   

This Is How We Roll - Luke Bryan with Florida Georgia Line: There's just something about songs with young smoking hot country man testosterone raging through them. Gotta love it!   

Bottoms Up - Brantley Gilbert: This song is sexy as hell and it makes for the best shadow dance of the night. 

Bartender - Lady Antebellum: Every song Lady Antebellum releases seems to be better than the last! Bartender took them down an all new and exciting direction of catchy and fun country/pop awesomeness.   

Something In The Water - Carrie Underwood: Listen to her exceptionally outstanding vocals - How Sweet The Sound!! The best voice is country music also just happens to be the best voice in ALL of music.  

The Walker - Fitz and The Tantrums: From the distinctive whistle to the great beat and catchy hook, this song had no choice but to be one of the favorites of the year.   

Follow Your Arrow - Kacey Musgraves: There are those people who are dismissive of Country Music saying it is just a bunch of wacko religious conservatives and rednecks. But this song about kissing boys or kissing girls if that's what your into was awarded the Song of the Year by the Country Music Association, so just ponder that for a moment before you judge. :)   

River Bank - Brad Paisley: I always love it when a new song comes out that is perfect for dancing a County Line. Especially when it's as good as this one with such a fun video.  

Roller Coaster - Luke Bryan: It's a really great thing when the lyrics to a song relate perfectly to the things that happen in our own lives. Every time I heard this song I was taken back to that week that ended too soon and left me twisting like an old beach roller coaster.... 

Artists of the Year - Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan

The amazing success with Tailgates and Tanlines in 2012 for Luke Bryan was just the beginning. He is on a roll and there is no stopping him!

He started off 2013 by releasing his latest collection of Spring Break music and it shot to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.

He then not only hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards in April, but he walked away with the biggest award of the night!!! He was named the ACM Entertainer of the Year!! His emotional and heartfelt acceptance speech only reinforced that he is the coolest and nicest guy in the business.

Even though his albums Tailgates and Tanlines and Spring Break were still selling well, he released another new collection in 2013 called Crash My Party. The lead off single and title track became an immediate hit and it is a favorite for dancing a shadow. The second single, That's My Kind Of Night, completely secures his position as the go to man for a fun country party jam. On the year end Billboard Country Albums chart he ended up taking THREE positions in the top 10 with Crash My Party at #3, Tailgates and Tanlines at #8 and Spring Break at #10.

He once again won the American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Artist as well as being named a CMT Artist of the Year for the second time. In addition, he completely cleaned up again at the American Country Awards winning Artist of the Year.

More Favorite Songs of 2013

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2013. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2013. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2013 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2013. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.

In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R&B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker: There was quite the controversy over the fact that someone would dare cover this bluegrass toe tapper by the Old Crow Medicine Show. I am far from being a purist so it did not bother me at all that Darius enlisted Lady Antebellum for background vocals and gave me my favorite new song for a slow and easy two step in 2013.  

Done - The Band Perry: With previous releases like If I Die Young and Better Dig Two, The Band Perry was the most morbid group ever wallowing in songs about death. I had no interest in paying attention to them and then they released Done. It is exactly the kind of song that is great to play loud and do a super fun line dance to.  

That's My Kinda Night - Luke Bryan: Luke became the ACM Entertainer of the Year and the top selling artist by releasing booty shaking, fun loving songs like this.  

Troublemaker - Olly Murs: It could have been created in a factory taking the best beat with the catchiest lyrics, adding the cute singer and the fun video and I love every bit of it!  

Sunny and 75 - Joe Nichols: No matter what the weather is, this song has the power to transport me to that fresh and fun place where it is free. easy, sunny and 75! Whipping around the dance floor doing a fast two step to this song is pure joy.  

Sleep - Allen Stone: I am so happy that VH1 made him a "You Oughta Know" artist because I absolutely love this song. Unfortunately, it seems like I am the only one by the tiny about of airplay it got. Oh well, maybe by listing it here it might get some more attention. :) 

All-American Boy - Steve Grand: How exciting to see a young artist be open and brave enough at the beginning of his career to be not only be openly gay, but to clearly express it in his songs and videos. Steve Grand genuinely expressed the feelings of having a crush on a guy that you can't have so sincerely in this song that it can't be denied.  

Redneck Crazy - Tyler Farr: While I am about as far from being a redneck as you can get, there is just something about this song that pulled me in and wouldn't let go. It's honest and sexy as hell. It makes for the best shadow dance of the night.  

Take Back The Night - Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience was the biggest album of the year, but somehow this single failed to also reach the top of the charts. It is the clear stand out track for me that showcases all my favorite qualities about Justin. It has a classic smooth R&B groove with a funky horn section. It's great to dance to and sing along with so I have no idea why it stalled on the charts. 

Bottle - Leann Rimes: She has one of the best voices in all of music and she released a fierce collection of songs on an album called Spitfire in 2013. This track has the sound of a classic country tune and it is the best mid-tempo two step of the year. 

Artists of the Year - Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan

For 5 years Luke Bryan has been bubbling under the radar releasing some pretty good songs here and there, but never really getting my attention or crossing over into the big time. In 2011 he released the album Tailgates and Tanlines and the first single was Country Girl Shake It For Me. With this song alone he definitely got my attention. It was easily my favorite song from 2011 that I loved to blast loudly while driving and loved to dance a fun and energetic two-step to.

This one single could have been it for him, but turns out the album is overflowing with great music. The next single was I Don't Want This Night To End and this one was not only a great song to dance to and blast loudly, but it also has an amazing video that really portrayed Luke as a a very likeable country music superstar star that we can all relate to and root for. I Don't Want This Night To End was part one of a video story where Luke meets a beautiful and mysterious woman, has a wonderful night, and hopes to meet her again.

Part two of the story was continued in the video for Drunk On You. Another fantastic song that is perfect for a shadow on the dance floor with your boyfriend. This video wraps things up where he finally sees her again at a stop on his tour. The current single dominating video and radio is Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.

Even though the album has been out since August 2011 it has remained one of the best sellers for all of 2012.

Luke has also enjoyed the opportunity to win numerous awards this year. He won Best Male Video for I Don't Want This Night To End at the CMT Video Music Awards. He won Favorite Male Country Artist at the American Music Awards and he was included as one of the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year. 

Luke's biggest night of the year happened at the American Country Awards where he completely cleaned up winning a total of nine awards including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year!

An important thing to point out about awards given at the American Music Awards, the CMT Video Music Awards and The American Country Awards is that the winners are all selected by votes from the fans. Luke Bryan is clearly the fan favorite!

More Favorite Songs From 2011

I recently listed my Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2011. Just for clarification let me explain that those songs all had to meet the eligibility for that list by reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 during 2011. I happen to be one of those people that believes that "It's not a hit until it's a hit on Billboard". Just in case you don't know, in order to reach the top of the Billboard HOT 100, a song must get the most sales and radio airplay for any given week.

There were lots of other songs that I loved in 2011 that failed to make the top 10 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. Here's a list of some of my other favorites in 2011. One thing that I can say about all of these songs is that it's a shame it didn't get more sales and airplay to do better on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart.
In the ideal world, great songs from Country, Pop, Dance and R&B would all find their way to the upper positions of the Billboard HOT 100.

Country Girl (Shake It For Me) - Luke Bryan: The only thing that could have possibly made this song any better is if Luke was singing "Country BOY Shake It For Me"! It has the perfect bouncy beat for a high energy two-step around the dance floor and it's great to blast really loud while driving.

Get Outta My Way - Kylie Minogue: Another perfect song to enjoy while driving when you want those slow pokes to keep moving and get out the way! Kylie is a huge superstar all over the world, but she just can't seem to get another hit here in the States, even with totally fierce songs like this one.

If I Run - The Harters: This is the perfect song to dance a waltz to when you want to channel the glam and drama of Dancing With the Stars. It has romantic lyrics that are sung beautifully to a lush and sweeping production and arrangement.

MoneyGrabber - Fitz and the Tantrums: Upon first listen to this pop masterpiece one would think it is an oldie from the new wave 80's scene. The fact is, that it is an exciting sound coming from the completely under-rated and Best New Artist of 2011. The entire album is filled with catchy hooks sung to a great beat.

From A Table Away - Sunny Sweeney: The favorite new stationary cha-cha of the year is this classic country tale of the other woman realizing that her man is never gonna leave his wife.

Where You At - Jennifer Hudson: The Season 3 Miss American Idol finalist and Oscar winner completely shined on this R&B ballad from her second album.

I Wouldn't Be A Man - Josh Turner: This became my most requested song for dancing a sexy shadow to in 2011. With Josh's deep vocals along with the smooth and steady slow beat there was some steaming lovemaking going on on the dance floor.

I Am Woman - Jordin Sparks: The Season 6 Miss American Idol winner provided the anthem of female empowerment of 2011. Sadly, there were probably only two opportunities to hear it all year. She performed it on American Idol and then the song was used on Dancing With The Stars for a group number.

Don't You Wanna Stay - Kelly Clarkson w/Jason Aldean: The Season 1 Miss American winner had her biggest success on the country charts this year. The video for this lovely duet ended up in the #1 position on CMT's Top Videos of the Year countdown.

Remind Me - Carrie Underwood w/Brad Paisley: Without a new album in 2011, the most we got from the Supreme Miss American Idol and Season 4 winner was this wonderful ballad about rediscovering a faded love. This was another very sexy shadow dance.