The Best Country Songs of 2017

Every year, the team at New Country UK count down their favourite tracks of the year - one a day - leading up to New Years Day, when we play all 30. And if you missed the chart, here's the full list, including NCUK's reasons for each song...

Songs 30 to 21...

  30.
'Hometown Girl' by Josh Turner - THAT baritone voice, on an acoustic-feeling traditional mid-paced Country ballad, perfect stuff!

   29.
'Road Less Travelled' by Lauren Alaina - a hugely deserved No.1 hit for an singer who has had her fair share of the battles described in this powerful song.

  28.
'Last Time For Everything' by Brad Paisley - a huge favourite in the UK, this driving track was full of Brad's trademark inventive lyrics, paired with exemplary picking.

  27.
'Missing' by William Michael Morgan' - the return of traditional Country on US radio was partially spearheaded by Morgan, this track evoking the glory days of Strait & Jackson.

  26.
'Dirt On My Boots' by Jon Pardi - a breakout year for Pardi, this No.1 hit saw him stamping his authority (pun intended!) on the charts in true Country style.

  25.
'All The Pretty Girls' by Kenny Chesney - hit after hit from the bonafide Country superstar, continued by this ode to young love in small town USA.

  24.
'The Long Way' by Brett Eldredge - a clever spin on the 'tell me all about yourself' question on a first date and one of the most gorgeous Country singles of 2017.

  23.
'Ask Me How I Know' by Garth Brooks - his live shows often take the attention away from new music this legend is still making, this one refused to be ignored. A ballad delivered in trademark fiery Garth style.

  22.
'You Look Good' by Lady Antebellum - proof if it were needed that this trio meant business again following their brief hiatus, easily their funkiest track to date!

  21.
'Every Little Thing' by Carly Pearce - worthy of a place due to the feat of a debut single from a female act hitting No.1, but more so that it is a beautifully simple break-up song, we particularly adore the haunting dobro well up in the mix.

Songs 20 to 11...

  20.
'Female' by Keith Urban - this blew everyone away when it was officially debuted on the CMA Awards show and looks set to be one of the biggest hits of Urban's illustrious career to date.

  19.
'Diane' by Cam - new music was a long time coming from Cam but this track, seen as a companion piece to Parton's 'Jolene', was well worth the wait.

  18.
'It's Your If You Want It' by Rascal Flatts - easily the best Flatts single in years, reflected by it hitting No.1. This veteran trio hitting the highs of their glory days again with this toe-tapper.

  17.
'If I Told You' by Darius Rucker - great to see Darius back on the top of the charts this year with this frank & honest ballad from a man completely opening up about himself, his failings but also the love he still has to offer.

  16.
'Broken Halos' by Chris Stapleton - far from a hit single but this guy is so good he does not need hits to sell records, this track an example of why he is currently Country's biggest-seller, with its' biggest voice.

  15.
'Round Here Buzz' by Eric Church - a ballad that transports you straight to small town America, with a tale of a young couple parted by ambition.

  14.
'Craving You' by Thomas Rhett (featuring Maren Morris) - hugely pop-influenced but still a fantastic single, great to hear these two big stars paired up.

  13.
'Better Man' by Little Big Town - incredibly difficult to find a unique take on the break-up of a relationship in this day & age, this track with the band's trademark harmonies manages that feat.

  12.
'Any 'Ol Barstool' by Jason Aldean - better known for rocking out with big drums & rock guitars, Jason proved he can master the Country ballad too with this tale of lost love.

  11.
'More Girls Like You' by Kip Moore - having been overlooked by US Country radio for far too long, Kip finally had a big hit on his hands with this slow-burner of a track.

Songs 10 to 1...

  10.
'I Could Use A Love Song' by Maren Morris - the singer admits her label told her not to release a ballad to radio, she refused to listen and we were rewarded with this beauty.

  9.
'Drinkin' Problem' by Midland - an overnight success of a group, which proved to be nothing of the sort, but a trio that are bringing back the traditional Country sound none more so than on this surprise hit single.

  8.
'Black' by Dierks Bentley - an artist who manages to makes eclectic sounding albums, which somehow still flow perfectly. The title track of his latest album a standout.

7.
'Sober Saturday Night' by Chris Young (featuring Vince Gill) - a dream team vocal line-up on the sort of hardcore Country ballad we are told that major-label acts do not record any more, they do!

  6.
'Small Town Boy' by Dustin Lynch - this guy has his haters but continues to produce No.1 hits, this one being his biggest to date and an absolute ear-worm.

  5.
'It Ain't My Fault' by Brothers Osborne - a storming track that proves the duo are unlike anything else on Country radio atm, helping to re-invigorate the format.

  4.
'Tin Man' by Miranda Lambert - an incredibly moving & vulnerable song, performed by the lady who bagged CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the seventh consecutive year in 2017.

  3.
'Hurricane' by Luke Combs - a track we can't wait to see Luke perform at C2C next year, the archetypal modern Country ballad.

  2.
'How Not To' by Dan + Shay - paired with its powerful video depicting a couple uniting in their battle against alcoholism, this track from the duo is possibly their best to date.

  1.
'In Case You Didn't Know' by Brett Young - a gorgeous track that was a huge career-changing hit for Brett, and the song that was played at my wedding this autumn, so had to be No.1!

Do you agree with the chart? Tell us in the comments below!