Top 10 Country Songs That Took Over Pop Radio

Top 10 Country Songs That Took Over Pop Radio

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most notable country songs that broke genre barriers by crossing over into the mainstream and dominating pop radio.

#10: “Cruise (Remix)” (2013)

Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly

In the early 2010s, the “bro-country” subgenre broke into the mainstream, largely due to Florida Georgia Line’s 2012 debut single, “Cruise.” The song became an instant country hit, spending three weeks at the top of the Billboard Country chart and rising to number 16 on the Hot 100. Although it eventually slipped off the charts, it received another boost the following year when a remix with rapper Nelly was released. This version bridged country, pop and hip-hop in a way that felt fresh, attracting listeners who might never have tuned into a country station and giving the track crossover appeal. It returned to the Hot 100, this time peaking in the top five, and ultimately became the best-selling digital country song of all time.

#9: “Love Story” (2008)

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift may have fully embraced pop with her 2014 album “1989,” but the groundwork for that transition was laid years earlier with “Love Story.” Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the song tells a timeless story of young, forbidden love, but with a happy ending. Its universal themes and catchy-as-hell chorus made it instantly appealing to a wide audience, which propelled it to the top of both the Country and Pop Songs charts. The phenomenal success of the song marked a turning point in the young Swift’s career, as it showed that she could thrive in multiple genres. In many ways, it was the first major step toward her transformation into one of the biggest pop stars the world has ever seen.

#8: “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)

Glen Campbell

It was Larry Weiss who wrote and first recorded this song in 1974, but his version failed to make much of an impact. The following year, country star and TV personality Glen Campbell breathed new life into the track, infusing it with smooth vocals and a polished production. With lyrics that tell the story of a struggling dreamer chasing fame and fortune, it didn’t take long for the song to catch on with both country and pop audiences. “Rhinestone Cowboy” climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Singles chart, an incredible feat at the time. It became the biggest hit of Campbell’s career and paved the way for future crossover stars.

#7: “Harper Valley PTA” (1968)

Jeannie C. Riley

Country music is often called the storyteller’s genre, because of its rich, narrative-driven lyrics. And that was on full display in “Harper Valley PTA.” Written by Tom T. Hall, the song weaves the sharp, witty tale of a widowed mother who confronts the hypocrisy of her small-town parent-teacher association. It was recorded by singer Jeannie C. Riley as her debut single and it made her an overnight sensation. “Harper Valley PTA” skyrocketed to number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Singles chart, making Riley the first woman to top both charts simultaneously. The song not only sold millions of copies, but it also inspired a film and TV series of the same name.

#6: “Before He Cheats” (2006)

Carrie Underwood

Although she established herself as a country artist on “American Idol,” Carrie Underwood proved, shortly after she won the fourth season, that she had major crossover appeal. The fourth single from her debut album, “Before He Cheats” is a fiery track about a woman who sets out to take revenge on her unfaithful partner. Being cheated on is not quite a niche experience, so it’s easy to see why this track struck a chord far beyond traditional country audiences. But its heavy rock energy and anthemic chorus certainly helped push it even further. As a result, the track not only topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, but also peaked within the top 10 of the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

#5: “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992)

Billy Ray Cyrus

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying how inescapable this song was. “Achy Breaky Heart” introduced the world to Billy Ray Cyrus and made him a household name. More of a novelty track than a traditional country ballad, it combined honky-tonk charm with an irresistibly catchy hook that appealed to just about everyone. While the song itself was infectious, its real staying power came from the line dance craze it inspired. This led to it becoming a fixture at clubs, parties and even schools. It hit number one in several countries and reached the top five in the U.S., making it Cyrus’ signature hit. “Achy Breaky Heart” may not represent country music at its finest, but it lingered in pop culture far longer than expected.

#4: “Need You Now” (2009)

Lady A

Who hasn’t felt so lonely that they considered making a late-night call they’d regret by morning? That familiar feeling is at the heart of Lady A’s crossover hit “Need You Now.” The lead single from their second album, this song tapped into the universal theme of longing, which allowed it to break past country’s usual boundaries and soar into mainstream pop radio. Throughout 2010, it dominated the airwaves and climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Widely praised for its powerful vocals and emotional honesty, “Need You Now” went on to win multiple Grammy Awards, including Record and Song of the Year. Its ability to bridge country and pop has made it one of the defining crossover anthems of the 2010s.

#3: “9 to 5” (1980)

Dolly Parton

For her film debut in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton penned a theme song, which also shared the same title. The upbeat anthem captured the frustrations of working women, while delivering a message of resilience and empowerment. Released at a time when workplace equality was a pressing issue, the song became somewhat of a rallying cry for female office workers across the U.S. Perhaps, this was what made it soar to number one on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and the Hot 100, making Parton only the second woman to achieve that feat after Jeannie C. Riley. It was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammys, as well as Best Original Song at the Oscars.

#2: “You're Still the One” (1998)

Shania Twain

In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, country and pop music began to overlap, and much of that shift can be attributed to Shania Twain’s “You're Still the One.” The song was inspired by the criticism surrounding Twain’s relationship with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, and it was co-written by the couple. A soft country-pop ballad, it was deliberately serviced to pop radio before country, a huge risk for a country artist at the time. Nevertheless, the gamble worked, as “You're Still the One” dominated both pop and country airwaves, climbing to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its broad appeal was further cemented by its dreamy music video, which became the first by a country artist to be added to the MTV playlist in the U.S.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Amazed” (1999), Lonestar

A Pop Remix of This Country Ballad Catapulted It to the Top of the Hot 100

“Body Like a Back Road” (2017), Sam Hunt

A Crossover Hit That Blurred Country and Pop to Great Success

“Breathe” (1999), Faith Hill

A Number-Two Hit That Became the Number-One Single of 2000

“I Hope You Dance” (2000), Lee Ann Womack feat. Sons of the Desert

This Inspirational Country-Pop Ballad Touched Hearts & Became a Mainstream Radio Favorite

“Wagon Wheel” (2013), Darius Rucker

Rucker Turned a Beloved Folk-Country Tune Into a Mainstream Grammy-Winning Hit

#1: “Old Town Road (Remix)” (2019)

Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus

When Lil Nas X’s debut single “Old Town Road” started gaining popularity in early 2019, it entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, where it reached number 19. But just as it was about to top that chart, the track was booted off for not being country enough. So Lil Nas X reached out to a certified country star, Billy Ray Cyrus, who hopped on the song for a remix. Fueled by the genre controversy and the new star power, this version became a mainstay across various radio formats, from country to pop to hip-hop. Ultimately, “Old Town Road” shattered records, spending a staggering 19 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest run in history.

What other country songs do you think deserve mainstream success? Let us know in the comments below.