Oh that’s right! I’ve gone and done it; compiled what I would personally claim to be the top five Country love songs of all time. Well, at least throughout my life time that is. My experience with country music spans over twenty years and stems back to my deep prairie roots, listening to these tunes on the radio in the back of my Dad’s Aerostar Minivan – Eddie Bauer Edition. Heck yeah. There’s something intrinsic in these songs that make me pause and just sit and listen. Or better yet, wish I were driving along the back road along a lake in the interior of BC with the windows down in the middle of summer and the heat pouring in to the car.

For anyone reading this, each of these songs will absolutely be played at my wedding, so for any of you gentlemen paying attention I would recommend you learn the lyrics and the two-step. You’ll need to impress my mother as well. So with no further ado, enjoy, and if you have anything to add to the list please feel free!

Song #5 – Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

This song will surprise a lot of people, as the story about love isn’t the most heartfelt but the agony and desperation in this song is so moving that I couldn’t help but relate and madly fall in love with the lyrics. For anyone who has been in the situation this song sings of, I know you’ll get it too. As far as all-time favourites, even though this song has only recently been released I have a feeling it will be on repeat on my iPod for the next twenty years. If nothing else, it’s a brilliant way to start off this count down and get you in the emotional state of mind required to truly love country music.

Song #4 – Tim McGraw – Don’t Take the Girl

I don’t if it’s simply because of the decades I grew up in or if he truly hit it out of the park during those critical points in my life, but I love the music this man releases. One of the first songs I remember hearing and truly understanding what it meant to love another person was this exact song. The story across the span of a boy and girl’s life together, growing up and eventually growing to love one another is a dream I believe we’ve all had at one point, regardless of gender or sexual preference. To fall in love with the boy down the street and be together would have been too good a story to come true…

(I heart you Steph).

Song #3 – Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood – Oh Love

Two of my most favorite artists in the world collaborated on this masterpiece of music. Even though they personally don’t have a connection (that I’m aware of – but if they do, you heard it here first), the combination of his and her voices’ echoes passion. If there was a male voice to own, this would be the one I’d want. As far as female country singers, Carrie Underwood is untouchable in my eyes. I struggled to find a great version of this song on YouTube, but I think I came close enough to capture the moment. Unfortunately there’s no video, simply a song to listen to and enjoy.

Song #2 – The Dixie Chicks – Easy Silence

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Finding the perfect release from the stresses of life is critical, and to find that in a partner is something one can simply hope to find. The Dixie Chicks, amidst their incredible struggles throughout their career had to rely heavily on those they loved. When searching for this song to post, I came across a video from the 2006 American Music Awards, shortly after America re-accepted them back into their lives. The introduction from Sharon Stone and Christian Slater is the perfect prelude to a beautiful live performance.

Song #1 – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – I Need You

Yes, Tim McGraw made the list twice, this time with his beautiful wife. There is something so haunting about this song. I love the combination of simple daily references intertwined with comparisons of how one person yearns for the other. It just melts me. The video enhances this song (although it’s pretty damn amazing on it’s own as well), with the perfect cinematography; one room, one microphone, the two of them on simple chairs surrounded by a sea of candles. It’s pretty much my dream of the perfect Saturday night…

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