Country music has long been associated with telling true tales from real people’s lives through song. Be it brassy, solemn, regretful or joyful tunes from this genre – its classics can both uplift and move people emotionally.
This 1980s country music playlist contains hits that helped launch the Urban Cowboy movement by way of songs by Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap and others – as well as one by an artist born blind!
Redneck Girl
Redneck Girl is a classic country song and one that is enjoyable to listen to, telling the tale of a woman with charisma who commands all attention when she enters any room. A great one to listen to while driving down the highway; its infectious melody will have you belting out those lyrics!
Dolly Parton’s rendition of this iconic tune remains one of its most memorable renditions ever. A powerful tribute to women and their strength, its powerful message has been covered by many talented artists throughout its lifespan – never failing to catch people’s interest and become one of their go-to tunes.
Urban Cowboy, released in 1980, marked an exciting wave of pop-style country music led by Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Eddie Rabbitt and Anne Murray – popularly dubbed as “Urban Cowboy Movement.” These artists combined traditional honky tonk sound with pop melodies; thus giving a boost to revitalize this genre.
Although this track seems lighthearted and carefree, this ballad actually contains powerful emotion about being abandoned by your partner. Beautifully written lyrics conveyed with emotion make this song an important reminder that one should always cherish those in their lives and not take them for granted.
Islands in the Stream
The 1980s marked some of the greatest hits of country music and a revival of traditional country. While some artists tried their luck crossing over into pop and other genres, many artists returned to traditional country and gave us some classic 80s country songs that still resonate today – like Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean who used these tunes as starting points for their respective careers.
Barbara Mandrell’s timeless anthem for country music enthusiasts who refuse to conform to pop-country was a major success during an era where pop-country attempted to dominate radio broadcasts. Even today, this song remains an integral part of real country music enthusiasts.
Randy Travis made his debut album with this timeless country classic in 1987, which quickly reached number one and earned him his inaugural Grammy Award. Since then, it has been covered by many artists – most notably Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in a memorable duet version; additionally it served as inspiration for Pras and Wyclef Jean’s 1998 hip-hop hit “Ghetto Supastar.”
Country fans from the ’80s know how to dance, and Bill Anderson’s catchy tune will put you in the mood to boogie! Boasting jazzy instrumentation and some infectiously catchy lyrics, it makes an irresistibly good listen that will put you in the mood to move your feet!
Always on My Mind
The ’80s saw country music explode into new frontiers. Hitmaking crossover artists such as The Judds extended pop influence further, rough-hewn mavericks laid down the foundation for alt-country, while back-to-basics New Traditionalists revived Nashville as home for hooky good time grooves.
George Jones opens our countdown of popular country songs from the ’80s with “Always on My Mind.” A poignant ballad that tells of an eternal love affair between a man and woman until death takes them both away, this song provided Jones a big career boost that has since been covered by many artists including Trisha Yearwood.
Kathy Mattea’s chart-topping track will become an iconic wedding song thanks to its sentimental theme of eternal love and lifelong marriage. It is an intoxicating blend of soft vocals, twangy guitars, and strings which creates an irresistibly timeless tune.
Shenandoah’s “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” is another timeless country song from the ’80s that features everything you need for an anthem: trucks, heartbreak and misty rainy mornings – making this song perfect for road trips! Ricky Van Shelton offers his version with piano chords that create an authentic 18-wheeler truck driver shuffle beat sound to set feet tapping and hearts racing!
Smoky Mountain Rain
Ronnie Milsap’s classic song is an irresistibly charming blend of country and folk, transporting listeners straight back to the Smoky Mountains. Covered by numerous artists over time, its rustic charm has won over hearts worldwide – perfect for listening to while relaxing during an outdoor hike or taking a refreshing summer shower!
This song tells the tale of a man who discovers that his significant other has left due to his immature behavior, prompting him to indulge in everything he never had before: radios, scratch-off tickets, golf clubs and 4×4. But when the rain comes, he realizes how beautiful and peaceful everything really is; giving him newfound peace and perspective on life.
Rain is a widely-used metaphor in country music, often serving to convey all manner of feelings from heartbreak and spirituality to transformation and beyond. Due to this usage, many country songs have been written about rain – one notable song being Dolly Parton’s Rainy Day Blues which stands as an exemplary example.
The 1980s witnessed a transformation in country music with more pop-influenced styles becoming popular, such as Kenny Rogers’, Ronnie Milsap’s, Eddie Rabbitt’s and the Judds using it. Urban Cowboy helped boost this genre’s rise as several artists released hits that appeared on its soundtrack; its influence would last throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.
Walkin’ the Floor
The 80s was an era when many emerging country artists made their mark in country music. Artists like Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Van Shelton all achieved notable successes during this decade; Kathy Mattea and Keith Whitley released some of their earliest major hits during this period as well.
Ernest Tubb is one of the greats when it comes to country music, and this song from him is an outstanding example. This classic features heartbreak in its lyrics – making for powerful listening experiences! This track perfectly exemplifies how country songs can tell stories that truly touch listeners’ souls.
George Jones has made another timeless classic with this emotional love ballad about someone still pining for their ex. Its lyrics are heart-wrenching and make this song one of the most beloved by fans of country music.
Next up is a country music group Exile’s beautiful ballad “Never Cry Alone,” which has been covered by many artists throughout its lifetime. With an accessible melody and powerful lyrics, this track makes an excellent companion when feeling down or depressed.
Victrola
The 1980s gave country music its signature hits, such as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ timeless duet “Islands in the Stream,” written by disco band the Bee Gees. Additionally, we saw crossover stars emerge like Garth Brooks, Dwight Yoakam and Reba McEntire emerge with successful careers, while Willie Nelson, George Jones and Conway Twitty continued chart hits that continued their musical legacy.
Urban Cowboy, featuring John Travolta and Debra Winger, provided an unexpected boost for pop-style country music with acts such as Johnny Lee making their mark with hits like “Lookin’ for Love”. The song featured prominently on the soundtrack for Urban Cowboy which takes place at Gilley’s, an iconic Texas honky tonk, becoming one of the most beloved tunes during that era.
RAF Industries, maker of Victrola audio products, is intensifying efforts to understand consumer preferences when it comes to audio products. To distinguish their offerings even further, Hagen said. RAF’s products will focus on acoustical engineering improvements as a key differentiator.
Hagen noted that his company’s new products are targeted towards adults in the 18- to 34 age range rather than nostalgic baby boomers, not nostalgic ’70s baby boomers. While these younger customers might not be as critical of sound quality than older customers, they still appreciate vinyl records’ rich audio experience and prefer physical objects over streaming digital music services like Spotify and Pandora.