Top 20 Modern Female Country Songs

#20: “Somewhere Over Laredo” (2025)

Lainey Wilson

This one is for hearts that long for home. “Somewhere Over Laredo”, which interpolates the unforgettable tune of “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz”, topped the U.K. Country Airplay chart when it was released. The familiar melody and the heartfelt ode to the titular Texan city make the song overwhelmingly nostalgic. In an interview, Lainey Wilson explained that Laredo is not just a place to her, but also a feeling. Her warm, husky vocals give a larger-than-life energy to the song, conveying exactly what that means. It goes without saying that the people of Laredo are more than proud of Lainey for this timeless hit.

#19: “The Way You Love Me” (2000)

Faith Hill

A generous helping of pop sensibility with a dash of dance music on a country base – what’s not to love about this tune? Songwriter Keith Follesé, who worked on “The Way You Love Me” with Michael Dulaney, once shared that after writing it, he thought it was either one of his best works or his worst. The song reached Faith Hill, who brought the lyrics to life with her vibrant performance, and it quickly became a soaring success. It topped Billboard’s U.S. Hot Country Songs and U.S. Top Country Singles Sales charts as well as the Canada Country Tracks list. Clearly, Follesé was on to something.

#18: “Sailor Song” (2024)

Gigi Perez

If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok recently, you’ve probably noticed that this song is everywhere and for good reason, too. “Sailor Song” is a gentle sapphic acoustic ballad, where Gigi Perez sings of her lover, likening her to her savior. Though this got some backlash from conservative Christians, the songstress refused to change her lyrics. This amplified the song’s virality, as listeners all over the world fell in love with its candor. The indie folk influence is magical enough, but Gigi’s vocals make the track even dreamier.

#17: “Redneck Woman” (2004)

Gretchen Wilson

This fun country track was Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, and boy what an impression she made! The catchy chorus and spot-on lyrics were relatable to every country gal and it took her straight to number one on the Billboard country chart. Co-written with John Rich of Big & Rich, the song announced to the world that Wilson was indeed here for the party. The track also proved to be a pop crossover hit and even earned Wilson a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal, while the song's star studded cast instantly put Gretchen on the map. We dare you to try not to tap your foot to this tune!

#16: “My Church” (2016)

Maren Morris

This song has all the hallmarks of a country classic. Maren Morris paints a vivid picture of driving down open roads with the windows down and the volume up. For her, this experience is nothing short of spiritual, so much so that she calls it her church. Considering the millions of views the music video for this song has on YouTube, clearly, she is not alone in feeling that way. Despite being Morris’s debut single, “My Church” peaked at number five on Billboard’s U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and won her a Grammy award.

#15: “Girl Crush” (2014)

Little Big Town

Little Big Town’s wonderfully simple, stripped-back love affair is powerful in all the right ways. The single allegedly created controversy on the radio as some listeners complained that it was about a girl in love with another girl, while rumors flew that some stations even pulled it from their playlists. Listen carefully to the lyrics though and yes, you’ve got it, the song is actually about a woman obsessing over the girl who has the heart of the man she loves. Karen Fairchild’s haunting vocals are hugely successful in turning convention on its head and making us pay close attention to the mesmerizing tune. You can’t just play it once!

#14: “I Hope” (2019)

Gabby Barrett

She may not have taken the “American Idol” trophy home, but she definitely won our hearts with this revenge anthem. In “I Hope”, Gabby Barrett wears her heart on her sleeve. She sings of a lover who did her wrong, and the lyrics are inspired by a teen romance of her own. The song is fierce, empowering, and liberating, but also unapologetically petty. Anyone who has ever wished for their cheating ex to experience the same pain they inflicted would relate to this song … hard. Naturally, “I Hope” enjoyed immense success, both critically and commercially, topping charts left and right.

#13: “If You Hadn't Been There” (2025)

Dolly Parton

The Queen of Country’s decades-long marriage to Carl Dean is one of America’s most adored love stories. Dean spent his life away from the glitz and glamor of Dollywood, but the pair’s love for each other remained unwavering. Unfortunately, on March 3, 2025, he passed away. Soon after, Dolly wrote “If You Hadn't Been There” as a tribute to her late husband. Her sweet vocals are drenched in raw sentiment, and the honest lyrics tug at our heartstrings. As expected of a Dolly Parton release, the track climbed to the third spot on Billboard’s U.S. Digital Song Sales chart. However, the emotional impact it had on listeners was far more significant than its commercial performance.

#12: “Penthouse (Healed Version)” (2023)

Kelsea Ballerini

The original version of this song, which is about a couple going their separate ways, is heartbreaking. However, this one is what you jam out to when you’ve moved on. In 2022, Kelsea Ballerini split from country singer Morgan Evans, to whom she was married since 2017. “Penthouse” came out after their divorce was finalized as a part of the singer’s EP “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat”. It is speculated that the song is about her separation from Evans. So, when the “Healed Version” came out, with Ballerini changing some lyrics to express how far she’d come, fans cheered their hearts out. Clearly, this cathartic musical celebration resonated with many.

#11: “Stay” (2007)

Sugarland

Make sure you’ve got some tissues nearby, as Sugarland’s award-winning, signature song is guaranteed to break your heart. In a wonderfully stripped-back performance, Jennifer Nettles really wears her heart on her sleeve. Most people assume she speaks as the wife of a cheating husband, but listen carefully… she’s actually the “other woman”! And if you find yourself thinking what a great job she’s doing of pretending to cry, it’s because there’s no pretending here. After breaking down during filming, Nettles decided to leave her tears in the video. The gamble paid off – it also became one of the most popular country videos of the decade!

#10: “Austin” (2023)

Dasha

This catchy hit found a global audience beyond the country music fandom, thanks to TikTok. In “Austin”, Dasha sings of an unfaithful partner, and she doesn’t mince her words when she calls him out for being a bit of a loser. It’s perfect for line dancing, which is partly why it went viral, but more importantly, Dasha’s commanding vocals are brimming with conviction. The defiant resilience in the lyrics could chase any breakup blues away in an instant. No wonder people from across the world found strength in this track. In addition to its remarkable success in the States, “Austin” topped charts in the U.K. and Estonia, establishing Dasha as a force to be reckoned with.

#9: “If I Die Young” (2010)

The Band Perry

We just couldn’t miss out on this beautiful country song, written by Kimberley Perry and performed by The Band Perry – Kimberley and her brothers, Reid and Neil. This single was released from their self-titled debut album, and it swiftly became a multi-platinum success. The haunting lyrics are complemented by soft backing music, including the fiddle, accordion and banjo, while the song’s video references the appropriately tragic tale of The Lady of Shalott, about a woman under a curse. It’s definitely a track best enjoyed with a glass of wine, and possibly a box of tissues.

#8: “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2006)

The Chicks

Playing with paint has never looked so dramatic! The Chicks’ most popular track in the US has a surprisingly dark backstory. During their 2003 world tour, just before the US invaded Iraq, vocalist Natalie Maines made a comment on stage which impacted their lives forever. Telling the crowd “we don’t want this war” and that she was ashamed that then President George W. Bush was from her home state of Texas, the Chicks watched as her simple statement of peace spiralled out of control. US fans began boycotting their music before demanding they “shut up and sing” and going as far as to make death threats. “Not Ready to Make Nice” was their gutsy response to the situation, and its success was huge.

#7: “The Architect” (2024)

Kacey Musgraves

The celebrated country superstar has never been one to shy away from socially conscious songwriting. In “The Architect”, she gets existential, questioning God in the face of human tragedy. It looks for any semblance of meaning and order in chaos, pondering the power of fate. Notably, “The Architect” was written by Kacey, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally after a terrible school shooting in Nashville claimed six lives. This added another layer of pathos to the song, making it even more relevant. Critics lauded the song’s lyricism as well as Kacey’s poignant delivery. Finally, at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, “The Architect” won Best Country Song.

#6: “Before He Cheats” (2006)

Carrie Underwood

Well fellas, don’t go messing with Carrie! This powerful tune was the best-selling country single of all time for several years after its release. She rose to fame after winning American Idol in 2005 and her first album, Some Hearts, which included this single, was the best-selling female debut in country music history. Who doesn’t love a bit of brutal girl power? Like your country music a little more lighthearted? Carrie’s other smash hit single, “Jesus Take the Wheel” also featured on this album. Underwood’s delicate vocals and country roots really shine in this lovely song of faith and trust. B-e-a-utiful!

#5: “Texas Hold 'Em” (2024)

Beyoncé

Queen Bey’s country pop gem was revolutionary in more ways than one. The song earned several Grammy nominations, and the album it was a part of, “Cowboy Carter”, won Best Country Album. Beyoncé became the first-ever Black musician to achieve this feat. “Texas Hold 'Em” also topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Before Mrs. Carter, no other Black female artist had reached this milestone. Such unprecedented success reportedly made country music more mainstream worldwide than it ever had been before. It also spotlighted other contemporary Black artists in the country music industry. No one but Beyoncé could’ve pulled off such a grand triumph.

#4: “The House That Built Me” (2010)

Miranda Lambert

Do you remember when you were little and you buried your pet in the back yard? Or the room you sat in each night to do your homework? Miranda Lambert brought these memories, good and bad, to life in a song, which became an instant classic. Everyone can relate to that feeling of nostalgia for their childhood home, and Lambert’s beautiful, down-to-earth vocals hit just the right tone. In contrast, another of Lambert’s biggest hits is “Gunpowder and Lead”, a powerful country-rock tune about domestic violence, backed with electric guitar and hard-hitting vocals. Is there anything this girl can’t do?

#3: “Love Story” (2008)

Taylor Swift

It’s not just one of Taylor Swift’s best-selling singles, this multiplatinum masterpiece is actually one of the best-selling digital singles of all time! Swift’s modern take on the classic Shakespearean tale of Romeo and Juliet proves that you can’t beat a good, old-fashioned love story. Her inspiration behind the song was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a previous love interest who wasn’t popular with her family and friends… So she gave her story a happy ending and made it into a classic! Another close contender for our list was Taylor's breakthrough song, “Teardrops On My Guitar”, a simple and sweet acoustic track… Enjoy!

#2: “Need You Now” (2009)

Lady A

We’ve all been there… It’s the middle of the night, you blow your nose, wipe off the tears, grit your teeth and press “Call”. From the melancholy piano intro to the catchy refrain, this award-winning hit is impossible to get tired of. And this was proved by its phenomenal sales. After overtaking Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”, “Need You Now” became the best-selling country song of all time. If only the results of our drunken phone calls were as happy as theirs! Better grab a glass of wine, and let Hilary Scott’s voice just wash over you…

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

“The Way You Love Me” (2000)

Faith Hill

“The Climb” (2009)

Miley Cyrus

“Concrete Angel” (2002)

Martina McBride

“Born to Fly” (2000)

Sarah Evans

“You Look Like You Love Me” (2024)

Ella Langley feat. Riley Green

“What He Didn't Do” (2022)

Carly Pearce

#1: “I Hope You Dance” (2000)

Lee Ann Womack

This country ballad is simply beautiful in every way! Lee Ann Womack’s award-winning signature song captured millions of hearts when it was released, and what’s not to love? Her effortless and heartfelt vocals, combined with the country-pop twang of gentle backing music, make a gorgeous listening experience. The lyrics are about hopes for her childrens’ future, and Womack’s children feature in the video with her. It’s hard not to feel warm and fuzzy inside at all of the love in this song. Well, what can we say? We hope you dance too!

Which of these country songs always gets you in your feels? Tell us in the comments!