The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

“I know they say you can't go home again..." came through my speakers as I drove down the winding roads of Moody, Texas, leaving my grandma's house after Sunday dinner. That was the last time I saw my grandma alive. “The House That Built Me,” written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, is by far one of the greatest country songs ever written in my humble opinion. Released in 2010 as the third single from Miranda Lambert’s third album, Revolution, the song tells the story of a woman who visits her childhood home, hoping to reconnect with the person she once was. It became one of Lambert’s signature songs, earning a CMA Award for Song of the Year and a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. With deeply rooted lyrics and Lambert’s honest delivery, this song has left a lasting impression on me. I simply can't get through this song without crying because it is the soundtrack to my life. – Mickey Guyton

 

Springsteen – Eric Church

This 2012 smash for Eric Church (who wrote it with Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell) ranks on numerous “best of” lists in addition to this one and garnered two Grammy nominations and an eight-times platinum certification. Still, one of the greatest recognitions for Church may have been a note from Bruce Springsteen himself, handwritten on the back of a set list, sharing how much he enjoyed the song and hoped their paths would cross one day. Church included a reproduction of the letter, as well as his leather jacket and scarf from the “Springsteen” music video, in a 2023 exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Over the years, several Opry members have turned to Springsteen’s vast songwriting catalog for material, too, including Emmylou Harris, Mel McDaniel, Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood. In turn, Springsteen has long acknowledged Opry legend Hank Williams as a pivotal songwriting influence. – Dan Rogers

 

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker, Old Crow Medicine Show

“Wagon Wheel” had made the rounds by the time Darius Rucker won a Grammy for the inescapable hit in 2014. At his daughter’s high school talent show, Rucker heard the faculty band play a countrified version of the feel-good song. Rucker knew about Old Crow Medicine Show’s 2004 version, which reminded him of a bluegrass tune, but something clicked hearing it in a different arrangement. Deciding on the spot to record it, Rucker brought in Lady A to add vocals and figured it would work as the last track on his next album. Instead, “Wagon Wheel” became the biggest hit of his career. Rucker performed it just moments after being surprised by Brad Paisley with an Opry invitation in October 2012. Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor completed the song based on an unfinished Bob Dylan composition; the beloved string band received the Opry’s next invitation in September 2013. – Craig Shelburne

 

Something in the Water – Carrie Underwood

 

Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton

“‘Tennessee Whiskey’ is the first country song that completely stopped me in my tracks,” says Dasha, a 2025 Opry NextStage Artist. “I remember covering it when I was playing in a hotel lobby bar during the pandemic and it always caught the audience’s attention immediately. The fact that it was written four decades ago and still has this incredible impact on the genre absolutely puts it in the running for the greatest country song ever written. There is something very magical about the way Chris Stapleton expresses the incredible lyrics written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove and his performance adds a new grit and authenticity that keeps it alive for a new generation of fans.” Although George Jones had the original hit with “Tennessee Whiskey” in 1983, Stapleton turned it into an instant classic. A centerpiece of his Grammy Award-winning debut album, Traveller, “Tennessee Whiskey” earned a 17-times platinum certification in 2024.

 

Blue Ain’t Your Color - Keith Urban

There’s nothing a woman loves more than hearing the sound of a man who doesn’t want to cause her any “blue” feelings. “Blue Ain’t Your Color” perfectly encapsulates that period of time right after a breakup, where all you need to hear is, “You did the right thing.” Keith Urban’s soothing voice reassures her that he’s “not just trying to pick you up, trying to get you drunk, trying to take you home,” while also informing her that she deserves better than a man who made her so blue. It can be hard for a man to pull off a song about female empowerment, but these songwriters (Steven Lee Olsen, Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg), mixed with Keith’s sultry delivery, make it work perfectly. It’s no wonder the song won the 2017 CMA Single of the Year. “Blue Ain’t Your Color” makes healing a heartbreak appealing… which is a very hard thing to do. - Krista Slaubaugh (Tigirlily Gold)

 

God’s Country - Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton heard the demo for “God’s Country” while working on his Oklahoma ranch and immediately decided he’d record it. “I had to stop and just listen to this song, because the song was talking to me about a place that I was in at that moment, which was a place in the middle of nowhere that meant something to me that probably nobody else could ever understand,” he said. Just one week earlier, Hardy brought the idea for “God’s Country” to a songwriting session. Devin Dawson added a sizzling guitar lick and Jordan Schmidt expanded on that electrifying feel. Shelton shot the video on his ranch with director Sophie Muller, who interpreted the lyrics through the lens of God’s wrath, adding an unexpectedly stark visual. “God’s Country” spent two weeks at number one at country radio in 2019 and collected ACM and CMA awards for Single of the Year. – Craig Shelburne

 

‘Til You Can’t – Cody Johnson

Country music is full of songs about seizing the moment, but few hit as hard as “‘Til You Can’t.” Written by Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers, the song delivers a powerful, no-excuses message: take your shot while you still can. Texas native Cody Johnson debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 2017 as an independent artist, a year before signing a major label record deal. When he got hold of “‘Til You Can’t,” he turned it into an anthem of resilience. Johnson not only landed his first No. 1 hit on the country charts in 2022, “‘Til You Can’t” also won two CMA awards and a Grammy for Best Country Song, proving that country music fans love songs that make them feel something deep. Whether it’s fixing up that old truck, calling your mama, or chasing a dream—this song makes it clear: do it now, ‘til you can’t. - Nicole Judd

 

Watermelon Moonshine – Lainey Wilson

 

A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey

If you’re listening to country music to have a good time and unwind, chances are “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey is on your playlist. In 2024, this breakout hit spent 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, tying the record set by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” in 2019. Shaboozey’s song was based off the J-Kwon hip hop hit “Tipsy” from the early 2000s, so don’t be surprised when you already know the lyrics. Collins Obinna Chibueze was born to parents of Nigerian descent and raised in Virginia. That’s where he got the nickname “Shaboozey” that he started using on stage. His style of music mixes all the genres he grew up listening to, including country, hip hop, and rap. With plenty of guitars, fiddles and electronic beats encouraging us to cut loose, Shaboozey brought an unforgettable party anthem to country fans. - Kelly Sutton

 

You Look Like You Love Me – Ella Langley & Riley Green

It seems that in addition to fans’ votes, both kismet and synchronicity might be to thank for the fact that the newest song on the OPRY 100 Greatest Country Songs list (it was released in August 2024) could likely have felt right at home on the Opry stage with songs on the list from decades ago. With instrumentation heavy on steel guitar and male/female parts reminiscent of the best of George & Tammy, Conway & Loretta, and Porter & Dolly, the seemingly timeless “You Look Like You Love Me” became a CMA award-winning duet, as well as Ella Langley’s first number one and Riley Green’s second chart-topper. Langley, a member of the Opry’s NextStage ’24 class, and Green, a five-year veteran of the program, co-wrote “You Look Like You Love Me” along with Aaron Raitiere. Keep an eye out for Opry member Jamey Johnson as the sheriff in the Wild West-inspired music video. – Dan Rogers

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

Arriving at the turn of the 21st century, “I Hope You Dance” offered a road map to a positive future: “I hope you never fear the mountains in the distance / Never settle for the path of least resistance.” It provided a perfect anthem for high school graduations, but the message would have touched the heart of any listener. Up to this point, Lee Ann Womack had secured her reputation as one of country music’s most respected traditionalists, a favorite among fans and country superstars like Alan Jackson and George Strait. “I Hope You Dance,” however, broadened her horizons and propelled her to stages around the world, including the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in 2000. Songwriters Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers shared in the ACM wins for Single, Song, and Vocal Event of the Year, received two CMA trophies, and ultimately claimed the Grammy for Country Song of the Year.  - Craig Shelburne

 

Austin - Blake Shelton

Opry star Blake Shelton blasted into country music with his 2001 debut single, “Austin.” When Shelton heard the demo, he liked the song but the production sounded more like a piano ballad than a country hit. Bobby Braddock, his producer, encouraged Blake to try playing it on guitar instead. Together they reimagined the feel of the song (written by David Kent and Kirsti Manna) by focusing on his smooth baritone and poignant storytelling. A five-week number one hit, “Austin” documents a moment in the early 2000s when people could carry on conversations through answering machine messages, though technology moved quickly in the decade that followed. In fact, Blake was invited to join the Opry in a Twitter post in 2010. He’s since accrued dozens of number ones, guided nine singers to victory on The Voice, and presided over the Opry 100 special on NBC – but it all started with “Austin.” – Craig Shelburne

 

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning - Alan Jackson

I would bet my next paycheck that everyone who was in the Grand Ole Opry House on November 7, 2001, vividly remembers watching Alan Jackson sing his newly penned song written in the days after that year’s September 11 terrorist attacks. I know I do. I remember being struck by how “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” while intensely personal, was also speaking not only for everyone in the room that night but surely also for millions of fans tuned in to the broadcast across the country. I was also one of countless fans who heard the song the following morning, as radio stations across the country were so anxious to share the song with listeners that they played the CMA performance they’d taped the night before. Within weeks it had become the most-played song in the U.S. More than 20 years later, Jackson’s ACM, CMA and Grammy-winner still resonates. And the greatest is love. – Dan Rogers

 

It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

Whether you’re way down yonder on the Chattahoochee or wasting away in Margaritaville, it’s always happy hour when you hear Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” As the first single from Jackson’s Greatest Hits Volume II, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” spent eight weeks at number one and became the most-played country single of 2003. The duet also led to Buffett’s first-ever industry award when it won the CMA Vocal Event of the Year. In addition, songwriters Jim “Moose” Brown and Don Rollins collected a Grammy for Best Country Song. Rollins borrowed the title from a former boss who would always say, “Well, it’s five o’clock somewhere” as they headed out for a round of afternoon drinks. When Alan Jackson thought about making the song into a duet, there was no need to wonder, “What would Jimmy Buffett do?” He’d joyously sing along with the rest of us. – Craig Shelburne

 

American Soldier - Toby Keith

Fiercely patriotic and famously outspoken, Toby Keith took a stand for US forces in "American Soldier," a #1 hit in 2004. Instead of writing a defiant anthem about America, Keith and co-writer Chuck Cannon focused on the fighters on the frontlines. Veterans of a past generation also received recognition in the thoughtful music video, where sepia-toned flashbacks showed reverence to those who serve their country. “American Soldier” earned ACM nominations for Single and Song of the Year, but more importantly, it gave a voice to the families personally affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After more than three decades on the country chart, Keith’s most-quoted lyric may reference a boot in the you-know-where, but “American Soldier” is all about the heart. The Oklahoma native received the National Medal of Honor in 2020. Eight months after his death in 2024, Keith was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. - Craig Shelburne

 

​​Remember When - Alan Jackson

A big hit loved by fans and critics alike, "Remember When" arrived in the fall of 2003 and soon found its way to the top of the country charts. Fans instantly related to its nostalgic look at the passage of time ("Remember when 30 seemed so young") and Alan has said on stage several times that it's his wife Denise's favorite song of his. Reviews at the time called it "poignant" and fans have cherished hearing it again in the set list on Alan's "Last Call: One More for the Road" tour. Jackson’s history at the Opry goes back even further than his 1990 debut, just a few years before being inducted into the Opry by Roy Acuff. Prior to signing his publishing deal and recording contract, Jackson worked in the mailroom at TNN headquarters and routinely delivered letters and packages to the Grand Ole Opry House.  – Charlie Mattos, WSM Radio

 

Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw

Between Tim McGraw’’s tender vocals, the touching story, and the triumphant string section, you get the formula for one of the best country songs of all time. Within the first couple of lines, you’re immediately taken into a hospital room of someone getting the news of a terminal illness. Instead of the story taking a morbid turn, it flips the other way around and becomes a lesson in living life to the fullest, soaking in the little moments, and being the man he wishes he would have been before he was told his inevitable fate. Another thing that I love about this song is its conversational manner, where it feels like you’re sitting across from them at the dinner table. To be so specific on lines like riding “a bull named Fu Man Chu,” but then opening it up to be more broadly relatable on lines like “I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,” puts you in the shoes of this person and makes you think about how news like this might soften you, make you go a little wilder, not fret about the little stuff, and truly live your life to the fullest.  – Kaitlin Butts

 

Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss

(2005 CMA Song of the Year, words & music by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall)

 

“She put him out, like the burning end of a midnight cigarette.” 

 

There is no one best opening line, but there is none better. The scene is set, the story told between the lines. 

 

It’s Romeo, it’s Juliet, it’s us, all of us. 

 

If you’re reading this, you survived. When you listen to this song, you have no idea how you did it. But the memory is real, part of who we are. 

 

This is one of my very favorite songs. I listen to it over and over. 

 

I once put the bottle to my head and pulled the trigger. Thank God I missed. 

 

Mr. Paisley and Ms. Krauss give our eulogy with grace and forgiveness. 

 

Thank you, Bill and Jon, for this benediction. – Don Schlitz

 

Jesus, Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood

The idea for “Jesus, Take the Wheel” started out as merely a childhood memory. Songwriter Gordie Sampson told his collaborators Brett James and Hillary Lindsey about a story he’d heard as a kid from his aunt. As she recalled losing control of her car on an icy road, she told him, “I threw up my hands and I asked God to take control of the wheel.” When they wrote it, Carrie Underwood hadn’t yet won American Idol, though it’s hard to imagine her powerhouse career without it. Released in 2005, “Jesus, Take the Wheel” spent six weeks at number one, won two Grammys, and claimed an ACM Award for Single of the Year. In 2008, Randy Travis surprised her with an invitation to join the cast. Underwood’s rise to superstardom also inspired future Opry stars Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini and Carly Pearce, and she remains an iconic voice in country music. – Craig Shelburne

 

Believe – Brooks & Dunn

Country fans experienced a spiritual awakening with “Believe,” the 2005 Brooks & Dunn hit written by Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman. As listeners, we could feel the strong connection between the young boy and Old Man Wrigley through their front porch conversations. When the boy goes to college and hears from his mother that Old Man Wrigley has died, it may be the most emotional moment in the duo’s discography. “Believe” earned ACM and CMA Song of the Year awards, as well as a CMA trophy for its poignant music video. After a hiatus, Brooks & Dunn reunited for a 2019 album, Reboot, which featured a duet version of “Believe” with Kane Brown. That same year, Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The legendary duo returned to the 2024 CMA Awards stage with Jelly Roll to once again share the powerful message of “Believe.” – Craig Shelburne

 

Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood

It’s 2006, 10-year-old me has fallen in love with the talent of Carrie Underwood after watching her on American Idol every week, and my mom takes me to see her at the North Dakota State Fair. This is my first country concert, and as Carrie belts out “Before He Cheats,” I am forever changed. Now there’s no one, country fan or not, man or woman, who doesn’t recognize this song from the first two notes, and who doesn’t immediately scream the words “I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four wheel drive” when it gets to the chorus. An Opry member since 2008, Carrie is one of the greatest singers ever to bless country music, and this Grammy-winning song written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear showcases her powerful range and fiery personality. I would also be remiss if I didn’t say thanks to Carrie for indirectly paying our rent for so many years with all the $20 requests we got to sing the song down on Broadway in Nashville. Thanks for keeping our dream alive, Carrie!! - Kendra Olson (Tigirlily Gold)

 

In Color – Jamey Johnson

Jamey Johnson redefined his career with “In Color,” the 2008 hit that won ACM and CMA Song of the Year honors. Prior to that, Johnson had modest success with his debut single, “The Dollar,” but earned much more attention by co-writing George Strait’s “Give It Away” and Trace Adkins’ “Ladies Love Country Boys.” At a number one party for the latter song, songwriter Lee Thomas Miller chatted up Johnson about another industry event that showed black-and-white photos of Nashville artists and songwriters from past generations. Miller remarked that he wished he could ask Bill Anderson who the people in the pictures were. According to Miller, Johnson replied, “There’s your idea, Hoss. ‘Think that’s something, you shoulda seen it in color.’”  Written in about three hours by Johnson, Miller, and James Otto, “In Color” still paints a vivid picture. Fittingly, Bill Anderson surprised Johnson in 2022 with a long-awaited Opry invitation. – Craig Shelburne

 

Troubadour - George Strait

Sometimes when you’re stuck, you just need to listen. That’s the advice I once took from Leslie Satcher, who wrote “Troubadour” with Monty Holmes. Satcher confided to a room of music industry professionals including yours truly that she was searching for the next lines they were crafting for a song with George Strait in mind. Then she heard something … somewhere … whisper to her, “Troubadour.” Less than an hour later, the pair finished writing this poignant 2008 hit about a singer’s lifelong dedication to music. Although Strait has won countless ACM and CMA awards, he collected his first Grammy for the album of the same name. Although he’s only played the Opry one time, Strait has multiple entries on the Opry 100 Greatest Songs list, spanning three decades. But listen closely to “Troubadour” for another voice with more than one song in the list. That’s Opry legend Vince Gill on background vocals. - Dan Rogers

 

Need You Now - Lady A

A late-night phone call, another shot of whiskey… you know where this is going. The real twist is how effectively Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott could briefly set aside their platonic friendship to bring the desperate characters of “Need You Now” to life. The sultry single (written by the band and Josh Kear) propelled the trio to the pop charts and a shelf full of ACM, CMA and Grammy Awards. There’s a moment where the lavish production catches its breath and the lyrics reveal a surprisingly vulnerable epiphany: “I guess I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all.” And then it’s back to the bedsheets. The biggest country hit of 2009, “Need You Now” spent five weeks at #1 and set the stage for their next chart-topping hit, “American Honey.” The group tearfully accepted their Grand Ole Opry invitation from Darius Rucker in 2021, with their membership effective immediately. - Craig Shelburne

Love Can Build a Bridge - The Judds

Through their songs, the Judds brought listeners into their lives. Whether they were showing their flirtatious side, or singing about family bonds, country fans could easily relate to their mother-daughter dynamic. (“If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother,” Wynonna liked to say.) But nobody was quite prepared for the emotional impact of “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Five weeks after releasing their 1990 album, also titled Love Can Build a Bridge, Naomi Judd revealed her Hepatitis C diagnosis, and that Wynonna would go on as a solo artist after a long farewell tour. Though it served as a heartfelt goodbye in concert, “Love Can Build a Bridge” is also an anthem of faith and forgiveness. Written by Naomi Judd, John Jarvis and Paul Overstreet, “Love Can Build a Bridge” won two Grammys and solidified the Judds’ musical legacy. In 2022, Naomi and Wynonna Judd were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. – Craig Shelburne

 

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks

You’ll never hear us complain when Garth Brooks brings “Friends in Low Places” to the Opry stage. At lunch with his songwriter pals, Earl Bud Lee realized he’d forgotten his wallet. One of the songwriters remarked, “Don’t worry, I’ve got friends in low places. I know the cook.” Another songwriter at the table, Dewayne Blackwell, perked up at the comment. Months later at an industry party, Lee and Blackwell scribbled the song onto some paper napkins and asked a then-unknown Garth Brooks to record a demo tape. Although a few other artists recorded it first, Brooks turned “Friends in Low Places” into a country music phenomenon in 1990. The Oklahoma native joined the Opry two months after releasing “Friends in Low Places,” which would go on to spend four weeks at number one, earn ACM and CMA Single of the Year trophies, and become a defining hit of ‘90s country. - Craig Shelburne

 

When I Call Your Name - Vince Gill

Can you imagine country music without “When I Call Your Name”? Vince Gill basically had one shot left when this devastating country waltz, written with Tim DuBois, arrived at radio stations in the spring of 1990. A contract with RCA had already fizzled out and the first two singles from his new record deal at MCA didn’t crack the Top 10. Few would have put money on a four-minute waltz. But with Barry Beckett on piano, Paul Franklin on steel guitar, Patty Loveless on harmony, and Tony Brown producing, “When I Call Your Name” immediately felt special. Gill sang it alone at his Opry debut on June 29, 1989. When Roy Acuff listened to the recorded version, he remarked, “That’s the prettiest harmony I’ve ever heard.” Six months after winning his first Grammy award for “When I Call Your Name,” Gill was inducted into the Opry on August 10, 1991. - Craig Shelburne

 

The Dance - Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks, like most country fans, fell in love with “The Dance” the first time he heard it. When songwriter Tony Arata sang an acoustic version at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville one night, a then-unknown Brooks made it clear he wanted to record the song if he ever landed a record deal. True to his word, Brooks spent three weeks at #1 with“The Dance” in the summer of 1990 and joined the Opry that fall. Scotty McCreery, who accepted his Opry invitation from Brooks in 2023, says, “‘The Dance’ is one of the greatest songs of all time because everybody that listens to it can relate. Everybody's had their dance. Everybody's gone through those moments. The bad times that you just saw, it's tough to go through. But once you get on the other side of it, you realize, man, you needed to go through all that to appreciate where you're at now.” - Craig Shelburne

 

Fancy – Reba McEntire

Few songs tell a story quite like “Fancy.” Written and originally recorded by Bobbie Gentry in 1969, it’s a bold, rags-to-riches tale of survival and determination. But it wasn’t until Reba McEntire put her own stamp on it in 1990 that it became a defining country hit. With her signature fiery delivery, Reba transformed “Fancy” into a full-blown country classic, complete with a dramatic music video that felt like a Hollywood film. Despite its controversial storyline, fans embraced the song as an empowering anthem—one that Reba has performed in a stunning red dress for decades. To this day, “Fancy” ain’t done bad. “Reba and Bobbie are both such great storytellers that it was nice to hear something that made you understand the plight of this woman who was trying to make ends meet,” says Maggie Rose, who has performed on the Opry more than a hundred times. “I just love any trailblazing woman who's going to be brave enough to tell that story.” - Nicole Judd

 

She's in Love with the Boy - Trisha Yearwood

Recorded in 1990 and released in the spring of 1991, this debut single from Trisha Yearwood became the first in a series of big hits for the Monticello, Georgia, native. While at first glance a simple country love song, “She’s in Love With the Boy” truly defines hard work and the old songwriter adage “the song will find the right artist.” Songwriter Jon Ims tells of writing and then rewriting the story of Katie and her beau Tommy a whopping 32 times and it would take years before it eventually found its way to Trisha. “She’s in Love With the Boy” would be the lead single on her self-titled debut album and is still sung every time she performs on the Opry stage. An Opry member since 1999, Trisha often dedicates her performance to Opry legend Porter Wagoner, who always encouraged her to “sing the one that brung ya.” - Charlie Mattos, WSM Radio

 

Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn

“Watch your broken dreams dance in and out of the beams of a neon moon…” Ronnie Dunn wrote those lyrics well before he ever met his partner Kix Brooks. Ronnie was actually in a house band at the Tulsa City Limits club when the inspiration for the song hit him. “Neon Moon” talks about losing a love and drowning your sorrows in a drink beneath the neon signs at the bar, but the rhythm of the song was made for the dance floor. “If they dance, they buy beer and you keep a gig,” Ronnie Dunn believes. The two-step beat allowed a lot of fans to shuffle out on the floor after Ronnie and Kix released it on their 1991 debut album Brand New Man. Just a year later, “Neon Moon” became the duo’s third consecutive number one hit. The song took on another life in 2023 as the soundtrack of a viral Tik Tok dance with millions of views. - Kelly Sutton, WSM Radio

 

Is There Life Out There - Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire provided a voice for millions of women by releasing “Is There Life Out There” as a single in 1992. Written by Rick Giles and Susan Longacre, the uplifting song sidestepped a typical structure (writing five lines in a verse, for example) and brought a sensitive issue for countless families to the forefront. In the lyrics, we are introduced to a woman who married at 20, started a family, and gradually lost some of her own identity. McEntire turned to another country songwriter, Alice Randall, to write a video treatment and script. With a mix of tender moments and a few tense encounters, the cinematic video dutifully captured the characters in the song, but the cable channels TNN and CMT felt that the dialogue breaks needed to be cut. McEntire and her label stood their ground. The result? A #1 country hit and an ACM Award for Music Video of the Year. - Craig Shelburne

I Cross My Heart - George Strait

Wedding singers all across America added a new song to their repertoire in 1992: George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart.” As the first single from the film Pure Country, starring Strait as troubled country singer Wyatt “Dusty” Chandler, the unabashed love song captivated country listeners and spent two weeks at the top of the chart. Written in roughly an hour by Steve Dorff and Eric Kaz, “I Cross My Heart” almost appeared in a film with Bette Midler in 1984, but her recording didn’t make the cut. A demo of the song aimed at R&B artists also went nowhere. After a decade of collecting dust, the sentimental song surprisingly resurfaced in the final credits of Pure Country, after the film’s director called Dorff, desperately looking for a love song. Although the movie performed modestly in theaters, the soundtrack sold more than six million copies, becoming the best-selling album of Strait’s career. - Craig Shelburne

 

Boot Scootin’ Boogie - Brooks & Dunn

The line dance craze of the early ‘90s is especially remarkable when you consider that nobody could look up the steps on YouTube. Whether they learned in classes, from rewinding the dance shows on TNN, or just tried to follow the cowgirls in front of them, every country fan seemed to know at least a few moves of the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” (Heel, toe, dosey doe…) The irresistible track won an ACM award and raced to No. 1 on the country chart – not bad for the fourth single from a debut album. Ronnie Dunn is the sole writer on “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” but Brooks & Dunn weren’t the first one to record it. That distinction goes to Asleep at the Wheel, who put it on their 1990 album. It’s actually been covered a couple of times, but nobody does the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” like Brooks & Dunn. The high-energy music video, filmed on location in Tulsa, captures an indelible moment in honky-tonk history. - Craig Shelburne

 

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Reba McEntire

We’ve always loved “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”—it’s one of those songs that pulls you right into the story from the first line. The mix of mystery, heartbreak, and Southern justice makes it feel like an old tale you’d hear on a front porch late at night. Written by Bobby Russell and recorded by his wife at the time, Vicki Lawrence, it shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1973. We grew up hearing it, and we still get chills when that twist hits at the end. It’s a song that sticks with you. Even today, folks are still discovering it through old records, streaming, or covers like Reba McEntire’s 1991 version. Reba and Trisha Yearwood sang it together at the Opry 100 NBC special this year, which just goes to show that a great story never really goes out of style. And that’s the power of country music! - Chapel Hart

 

Should’ve Been a Cowboy - Toby Keith

Toby Keith wrote his career-making single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” in Dodge City, Kansas, during a hunting trip with his friends. They’d all had a laugh at the bar that night when one of the guys unsuccessfully asked a woman to dance. Someone at the table remarked, “Well, you should’ve been a cowboy.” Keith liked the sound of that phrase and stayed up late, crouched on the edge of a bathtub, quietly writing and strumming his guitar, trying not to wake up his hunting buddy. However, it wouldn’t be long until the whole world would hear Keith’s salute to Western icons like Marshall Dillon, Miss Kitty, Gene and Roy. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” topped the country chart in June 1993 – the first of his twenty number one hits. The Oklahoma superstar was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame just three days before his death in 2004. - Craig Shelburne

 

Does He Love You - Reba McEntire and Linda Davis

The ultimate ‘90s country showdown, “Does He Love You” pits a wife against the other woman with explosive results – especially in the cinematic music video. Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch composed the melodramatic duet in the early 1980s for the two women in Stritch’s touring vocal group to sing together. Crowds loved it; Knox also attracted a Nashville publisher with the song. A cassette demo took a decade to find its way to Reba McEntire, but she knew exactly what to do with the show-stopper. With the fabulous Linda Davis as her sparring partner, she quickly added the track to her Greatest Hits, Volume 2, and donned *that* red dress to perform it on the 1993 CMA Awards. A year later, the real-life friends collected a Grammy and a CMA Vocal Event trophy. In 2017, Carrie Underwood delighted the Opry crowd as a surprise guest on “Does He Love You” as Reba celebrated the 40th anniversary of her Opry debut. - Craig Shelburne

 

Chattahoochee – Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson was on a roll when “Chattahoochee” arrived as a radio single in May 1993. By the end of the summer, the song and its music video (showing Jackson in his ripped jeans, red cowboy boots, and life jacket) had propelled the singer to country music superstardom. A few months later, “Chattahoochee” scored CMA Single and Song of the Year awards and picked up two Grammy nominations. Written by Jackson and Jim McBride, the feel-good hit offered more than just an instantly recognizable opening guitar lick. It also did more than celebrate the joy to be had from a grape snow cone. And, yes, it was about more than successfully rhyming the name of a river with “hoochie-coochie.” This instant classic absolutely helped define the sound of ‘90s country. From the instant they were introduced on the Opry’s 100^th anniversary special on NBC, Jackson and “Chattahoochee” earned a standing ovation. – Dan Rogers

 

Independence Day - Martina McBride

Some songs on the Opry 100 Greatest Country Songs list were written in a matter of minutes. Such was not the case for Gretchen Peters, who spent more than a year writing this song dealing with the subject of domestic abuse and finding it particularly difficult to craft the song’s ending. Martina McBride recorded “Independence Day” in 1993 for her The Way That I Am album, and the song was released as a single in May 1994. It went on to earn two Grammy nominations, win a CMA Song of the Year award, and emerge as an anthem against the abuse depicted in the song. “Independence Day” is also one of a handful of Opry 100 Greatest Songs that’ve been performed on the Opry by both its writer and the artist who made it a hit. Martina was inducted into the Opry cast in 1995 by one of her heroes, Loretta Lynn. –Dan Rogers

 

Go Rest High on That Mountain - Vince Gill

Whatever the measuring stick may be to earn a “classic song” status, clearly Opry member Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain” achieves that and more. Written in tribute to his brother’s passing, it was Vince’s intention to keep it private as he didn’t want to record it. Fortunately his producer Tony Brown knew it was too strong to leave behind while making the “When Love Finds You” album. While a songwriter never knows how their composition will be received by an audience, this song’s popularity, recognition and resonance have held up since it was first released in 1995, winning the Grammy award for Best Country Song that year. In my own experiences playing this with Vince (probably more than 100 times now), I still watch the people sing along and the tissues appearing as the song proceeds. The emotional impact is undeniable as the crowds walk out with an indelible memory. - Randy Hart

 

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter

It was 1996 when a breezy, barefoot newcomer arrived with a song that made country fans fall in love with her. Deana Carter came into our lives singing about “Strawberry Wine” and the nostalgia in those lyrics catapulted the song to the top of the charts. Songwriters Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison penned the tune about a 17-year-old girl who experiences her first love during a summer on her grandparents’ farm. The feelings she develops from that relationship are just like the taste of strawberry wine... intoxicating, sweet and fleeting. “Strawberry Wine” won the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 1997, spent two weeks at number one on country radio, and landed a Grammy nomination. To this day it transports us back to our first summer love, and continues to influence the next generation of songwriters. In fact, Lainey Wilson says she drew inspiration from the song to write “Watermelon Moonshine.” “Strawberry Wine” can still be heard on radio stations, in karaoke bars and on playlists around the world. It will forever be the slice of summertime music that makes us smile. - Kelly Sutton

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

You might say that Willie Nelson pulled the idea for “On the Road Again” out of thin air. Nelson had been cast in the 1980 film Honeysuckle Rose as a struggling country singer. On a flight with the film’s director and producer, Nelson learned they were starting to look for songs. They wondered if Willie might have some ideas. When he asked what the song should say, they suggested something about being on the road. A set of lyrics came immediately to mind, so Nelson grabbed a paper sick bag, flipped it over, and jotted down some words. With Nelson’s positive spirit shining through, “On the Road Again” earned an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy win for Best Country Song. Decades later, amid the isolation of the pandemic, musicians and fans surely sang the chorus together: “I just can’t wait to get on the road again.” – Craig Shelburne

 

He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones

George Jones could sing a honky-tonk tune on the Opry stage with the best of them, yet this orchestral, melancholy ballad is his masterpiece. Producer Billy Sherrill could hear a hit, but it took more than a year for Jones to commit to releasing it. Traditional country fans, however, responded immediately. Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, the narrative takes a dramatic turn when the woman attends the funeral of the devastated man she left behind. “We all wondered if she would,” Jones says in the recitation, as the listener suddenly feels a personal connection to these strangers. Jones won a Grammy for his timeless recording, while “He Stopped Loving Her Today” won back-to-back CMA Song of the Year honors in 1980 and 1981. Today the poignant title is etched not only in the minds of country fans, but also atop Jones’ gravestone in Woodland Memorial Park in Nashville. - Craig Shelburne

 

Smoky Mountain Rain - Ronnie Milsap 
An Opry member since 1976, Ronnie Milsap nurtured his love for music as a boy in Robbinsville, North Carolina, just a few miles from the Great Smoky Mountains. So when he sings about “going as far as Gatlinburg,” it feels like he’s singing about home. Written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, “Smoky Mountain Rain” was named one of Tennessee’s official state songs in 2010. Milsap recorded a duet version with Dolly Parton, herself a child of the Smokies, in 2019. Opry member Mark Wills says, “Who remembers when you heard the song that made you want to perform country music for a living? I do. ‘Smoky Mountain Rain’ was that very song. Growing up in Blue Ridge, Georgia, this song said it all. Ronnie Milsap was the man that solidified my love of contemporary country music! In September of 1980, this song hit the radio airwaves and from that moment on, I never looked back.” – Craig Shelburne

 

9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

The history behind “9 to 5” is almost as famous as the song itself. Dolly Parton wrote the uptempo song for a comedy film she was starring in, alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. When inspiration struck on the movie set, Dolly accompanied herself by clicking her acrylic fingernails together, which sounded just like the typewriters that many women were working on in that decade. But “9 to 5” is much more than just a Grammy Award-winning No. 1 hit. Seven years before the movie was released, a group of women came together to fight for equal pay and treatment in the workplace. They called the movement 9to5, which later became known as the National Association of Working Women. When you listen to the lyrics of “9 to 5” today, you realize they champion those women who were working to “move ahead but the boss won’t seem to let me.” A longtime role model for working women, Dolly sang “9 to 5” and many other classic hits when she returned to the Opry in 2019 to celebrate her 50^th anniversary as a member. – Kelly Sutton, WSM Radio

 

Elvira – The Oak Ridge Boys

 

I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool - Barbara Mandrell

I love “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” (written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan) because we've all been there at some point, where music changes and different things are ‘it’ and cool at different times. But I love this song because it’s like, ‘This is who I am. These are my roots. This is what I love. And I'm not going to apologize for it. I've been here in the ups and in the downs and everywhere in between.’  So, I'm definitely not surprised that this song made the Opry 100 Greatest Country Songs list. And I’m just honored to get to brag on Ms. Mandrell. I have a personal connection with this song because I sang it as part of a medley honoring the women of country music for the ACM Awards in 2020. And I got to sing it for Barbara when she was celebrating a big (50th anniversary) milestone in her Opry life. – Carrie Underwood, Opry Member

 

Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson

 

Mountain Music - Alabama

Growing up in the ‘80s, my first of many Alabama concerts was their Mountain Music Tour at the Missouri State Fair, from which I still have the Mountain Music T-shirt purchased that night. This song penned by lead singer Randy Owen became a standout at every Alabama show – a lively, feel-good tune celebrating adventures of carefree youth that got everyone on their feet, clapping and singing along. Owen's childhood memories of fun outdoor antics including the obscure references of chert rocks and skinnin' cats are relayed throughout the song, which became their sixth number one hit in April 1982. No one can deny the exhilaration produced by this now-classic Southern anthem. - Gina Keltner

 

Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

The irresistible pull of “Islands in the Stream” has kept country fans and karaoke stars singing along since 1983. Written by the BeeGees and produced by Barry Gibb, “Islands in the Stream” only turned into a duet out of desperation. Kenny Rogers couldn’t get the feel for it as a solo recording, but Gibb had an idea: Call Dolly Parton. She happened to be in her LA apartment, just down the street from the studio, and said she’d be right over. In pop culture, Dolly and Kenny would never be separated again. “Islands in the Stream” reached number one on the country and pop charts and collected the 1984 ACM award for single of the year. What started out as a fun love song is now a testament to their enduring friendship. Lifelong fans Lady A covered the classic hit in 2019 for Parton’s 50th anniversary as an Opry member. - Craig Shelburne

 

Amarillo By Morning - George Strait

“Amarillo by Morning” is the first song I ever asked to learn how to play on guitar. George Strait’s music was the first thing that I remember my folks playing around the house. He was their favorite, probably, and I loved all those cowboy songs. “Amarillo by Morning” (written by Paul Shafer and Terry Stafford) is obviously a big rodeo song. It's one of the quintessential country rodeo songs. And rodeo has always been right there, parallel with country music. I think I was five years old when I took my first guitar lesson. My teacher asked me what I wanted to learn to play first, and I said, “Amarillo by Morning” without hesitation. I think she told me, “It's a nice idea. Maybe we'll start with ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and work our way up to that.” But I played my first show at seven years old and “Amarillo By Morning” was in the setlist.” – Zach Top

 

Pancho and Lefty - Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard

There are many measures of a truly great song. One of them for me is when you, as a listener, have a favorite version of the tune, but appreciate the many different interpretations of it. I have heard “Pancho and Lefty” performed by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard in concert on the Opry House stage and have also thoroughly appreciated it as delivered on the Opry by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Dierks Bentley and Marty Stuart, and Charlie Worsham. First recorded by its writer, the legendary Townes Van Zandt, Harris recorded her own lauded version in 1977. “Pancho and Lefty” reached number one for Nelson and Haggard in 1983, the same year that TNN: The Nashville Network went on the air. In fact, the mysterious story song inspired Nelson to film his first music video (with a cameo from Van Zandt playing acoustic guitar). “Pancho and Lefty” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020.  – Dan Rogers

 

God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood, the son of a Navy veteran, wrote a patriotic song for the ages with "God Bless the USA." From its release in 1984 through the modern era, its powerful message has inspired Americans through difficult wartime, victory celebrations, and the national holidays that dutifully honor our veterans. Greenwood worked for the USO as a teenager at military bases around Sacramento, California, and grew to understand the sacrifice of the military. While developing his performing career in Las Vegas, he liked to drop into Elvis Presley’s show, where a dramatic rendition of “An American Trilogy” always brought the house down. In time, Greenwood combined these personal and musical influences and wrote “God Bless the USA” on the back of his tour bus. In 1985 his signature hit earned the CMA Song of the Year award. Four decades later, Greenwood and his fans are still proud to be an American. - Craig Shelburne

 

The Chair - George Strait

When you’ve got a singer as smooth as George Strait and a song as seductive as “The Chair,” who even needs a chorus? There’s no hesitation, barely even a breath, as Strait effortlessly breaks the ice, asks the woman to dance, and eventually drives her home. Written by Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran, “The Chair” builds to a final line that always delivers, even after forty years. Dillon told Texas Monthly that he and Cochran wrote the song in 45 minutes. Although “The Chair” is unquestionably a country classic, the 1985 music video sets a more sophisticated scene, as three fashionable ladies are flattered by an offscreen suitor. (Strait, meanwhile, sticks to the stage, surrounded by his Ace in the Hole Band.) Strait won multiple ACM and CMA Male Vocalist Awards in the early ‘80s; he joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Somebody drink that man a buy! – Craig Shelburne

 

Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes? - George Jones

Forty years ago, George Jones asked a question that’s always challenging to answer: “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?” Songwriters Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes captured the generational conflict in that era of country music, as Waylon, Willie, Merle and Conway had no obvious successors among the newcomers of the early ‘80s. The CMA Award-winning music video drove the point home, as Jones wandered down memory lane, glancing at photos of country music’s greatest bygone stars. Time would soon reveal a response to another of the song’s questions: “Who’s gonna play the Opry?” Within five years of the single’s release in 1985, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless and Holly Dunn were all welcomed into the cast. At Jones’ 80th birthday celebration at the Opry in 2011, future member Jamey Johnson arguably answered the question with his exceptional rendition of “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.” - Craig Shelburne

 

Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days) - The Judds

The Judds channeled their innate family bond into one of the most sentimental songs in country music, “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).” As Wynonna turns to guidance and perspective from her elder, Naomi harmonizes with her daughter – forming the acoustic blend that ultimately carried the duo into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Grandpa himself never answers the questions. Instead, listeners can imagine what their own ancestors would have to say about family prayers, absent fathers, and broken promises. Written by Jamie O’Hara, “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” won two Grammy awards and still begs the question: Were things really better back then? Cody Johnson recorded a heartfelt version for a 2023 tribute album to the Judds, while Chapel Hart and The Isaacs have shared their renditions for Opry audiences. When it feels like this world’s gone crazy, “Grandpa” still offers comfort. - Craig Shelburne

 

Fishin’ in the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The lazy yellow moon comin’ up tonight. Crickets, lightning bugs and the old stump row. This creekside panorama sets a dusky scene in Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s classic hit, “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Just before her songwriting appointment with Jim Photoglo, Wendy Waldman had been listening to Prairie Home Companion and suggested they write a song about fishing, just for fun. They played it at a dinner party one night where producer Josh Leo heard it and felt like it could work for the Dirt Band. Indeed, “Fishin’ in the Dark” hooked the number one spot at country radio in October 1987 and it’s remained in recurrent rotation ever since. The Dirt Band’s earliest achievements include the pop hit “Mr. Bojangles” and the reverent Will the Circle Be Unbroken album, yet for later generations of country fans, “Fishin in the Dark” will always be the one shinin’ through the trees. - Craig Shelburne

 

All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait

“All My Ex’s Live in Texas” is George Strait at his finest—smooth, effortless, and unmistakably country. Written by Whitey Shafer and his fourth wife, Lyndia Shafer, the song’s clever, tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a cowboy avoiding old flames struck a chord with traditional country fans. Released in 1987, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” quickly climbed to No. 1, earning Strait his first Grammy nomination and becoming one of his most iconic hits. While the song paints Texas as a state full of past heartbreaks (like Rosanna down in Texarkana and sweet Eileen in Abilene), Strait himself remains a proud Texan—making the song even more fun. Whether you’re singing along at a honky-tonk or laughing at its playful storytelling, this one’s a certified country classic. Speaking of exes, Whitey Shafter and his third wife, Darlene, co-wrote Strait’s 1985 No. 1 hit, “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.” - Nicole Judd

 

Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis

Randy Travis’ traditional country voice will live eternally thanks to “Forever and Ever, Amen,” written by two of Nashville’s finest songwriters, Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. Written on Overstreet’s front porch, “Forever and Ever, Amen” matched a lighthearted look at lasting love to an irresistible melody. Just as music videos were bringing a new generation of country stars into millions of homes, Travis proved to be a natural on camera. “Forever and Ever, Amen” became a huge hit on TNN, CMT, and the country radio charts, ultimately winning a Grammy for Best Country Song and multiple ACM and CMA awards. Travis joined the Opry in 1986 and he’s been one of its most beloved members ever since. At NBC’s Opry 100 special, Carrie Underwood paid tribute with a delightful rendition of “Forever and Ever, Amen,” then brought the audience to tears by sharing the final “Amen” with Travis himself. - Craig Shelburne

 

Don’t Close Your Eyes – Keith Whitley

Few voices in country music have ever carried as much raw emotion as Keith Whitley’s, and “Don’t Close Your Eyes” is proof of that. Written by Bob McDill and released in 1988, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” became Whitley’s first No. 1 hit. A heart-wrenching plea to a lover still holding onto the past, the single showcased Whitley’s unmatched ability to make every lyric feel personal. Tragically, Whitley passed away less than a year after the song’s release, but “Don’t Close Your Eyes” felt even more poignant in his absence, topping year-end country charts in 1988 and solidifying his legacy. Today, it remains one of country music’s most powerful ballads—one that still leaves fans hanging on every note. Jesse Keith Whitley, the son of Keith Whitley and Opry star Lorrie Morgan, performed the poignant song during an Opry tribute event in 2023. Keith Whitley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022. - Nicole Judd

Coal Miner’s Daughter - Loretta Lynn

I know every word to "Coal Miner's Daughter".... the song AND the movie. No one will watch it with me because pre-quoting the actors' lines is annoying, I'm sure. However, being that Loretta is so revered (and hearing in her words the setting in which she came from, then musically aligned with a modulating melody) makes it all that more special. It's her words. Her life. She was "borned" a coal miner's daughter, to a momma who raised all those babies and a daddy that she lost too soon. She even said she kinda knew it would be the last time she saw him when he dropped her at the train station to move off to the PNW to live with Doo. When you can write a song that's heavyweight enough to carry a title track of a movie that wins an Academy Award, you're doing something right. Loretta Lynn wrote that song in 1969 and released it the next year and, personally, I consider it her signature song, the one I think of first when I think of her.” – Sunny Sweeney

 

Help Me Make It Through the Night - Sammi Smith

Inspired by a magazine interview with Frank Sinatra who proclaimed he believed in "booze, broads, or a bible...whatever helps me make it through the night," Kris Kristofferson created this masterpiece early in his career while residing at the home of Opry star Dottie West who was known for taking in and supporting fledgling songwriters. With a suggestive lyric that likely made traditional country listeners of that day squirm, the song was also undoubtedly relatable as it addressed the human desire of intimacy, albeit temporary and maybe even sinful. Released first by Kristofferson and covered by everyone from Elvis Presley to Tyler Childers, it was country singer Sammi Smith's 1971 version that became a crossover pop hit.  Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, “Help Me Make It Through the Night” continues to be a popular classic regularly performed on the Opry today by Mandy Barnett, Waylon Payne (Sammi's son) and others. - Gina Keltner

 

Hello Darlin - Conway Twitty

Conway Twitty could fill a darkened arena with screams by speaking just two words: “Hello Darlin’.” In the recording session for that song, producer Owen Bradley suggested that Twitty speak, rather than sing, the first two lines. Twitty would then glide into that definitive baritone delivery: “It’s been… a… long… tiiiiime.” Remarkably, this nearly forgotten masterpiece became his signature hit. Twitty had written the song a decade earlier and pulled it out of a box of assorted lyrics when he needed something to round out an upcoming album. Throughout his too-short career, Twitty reinvented himself numerous times: first finding a foothold as a rockabilly singer, then as a teen idol with “It’s Only Make Believe,” and later as the ideal duet partner for Loretta Lynn. The enduring “Hello Darlin’” entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, the same year he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. – Craig Shelburne

 

For the Good Times - Ray Price

Listening to Ray Price's classic version of this Kris Kristofferson composition, it's hard to believe that it wasn't even the "A" side of the single when first released. Despite Ray's protests that "For the Good Times" was a hit, his record label Columbia went with “Grazin’ in Greener Pastures" instead. It wasn't until Wayne Newton released his version of “For the Good Times” that Columbia switched Price’s single to the A-side. Price's version would hit not only #1 on the country charts in 1970 but would become his only foray into the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, going all the way to #11. His elegant recording won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance and revitalized Price’s career. Elvis Presley loved the song so much he chose to sing it during his historic run of shows at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1972. - Charlie Mattos

 

Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash

Songwriter and Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson called this song the most autobiographical of his career. He once said he was "living in a slum tenement that was torn down afterwards and ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’ was more or less looking around me and writing about what I was doing." Ray Stevens loved the song so much that he passed on "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" to record it, although his version would fizzle on the charts. It wasn't until Johnny Cash released his live version recorded at the historic Ryman Auditorium that “Sunday Morning Coming Down” would prove to be a hit. Cash and Kristofferson, who became close friends and frequent collaborators, shared the win for CMA Song of the Year in 1970. If you've never heard Kristofferson's original version, check that out as well. It conveys a desperation in the lyrics from the man who truly lived them. - Charlie Mattos

 

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

John Denver’s comforting tenor carries a listener through the back highways into the heart of America in this enduring 1971 hit. Opry member Dustin Lynch recalls his first visit to Brazil where crowds sang along at the top of their lungs to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at every show. “It was amazing to me that a song that means so much to us in the United States of America stands up that far south in Brazil,” he says. “I think that’s the power of a great lyric, a great melody.” Rhonda Vincent has earned a standing ovation at the Opry when she performed it accompanied by twin fiddles. “I think that song, maybe over any other song, is known around the world,” she believes. “It doesn’t matter where people are from. You can sing ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ and everybody’s going to sing along, bar none.” – Craig Shelburne

 

Kiss an Angel Good Morning - Charley Pride

As a kid in the Mississippi Delta, Charley Pride loved tuning in to the Opry, always hoping to hear Hank Williams on the family’s radio. When his baseball ambitions withered, Pride started singing country music in the bars of Helena, Montana. He signed with RCA in 1966, just as the lush Nashville Sound faded and traditional country returned to the forefront. Audiences were shocked to discover he was a black artist before they gradually focused instead on his friendly demeanor and effortless singing style. The feel-good 1971 smash, “Kiss an Angel Good Morning,” conveyed Pride’s love for his wife, Rozene, yet songwriter Ben Peters actually came up with the title while thinking about a daily ritual he shared with his newborn daughter. After forging deep friendships at the Opry over decades of guest appearances, Pride accepted his Opry invitation in 1993, moments after performing this beloved signature hit. – Craig Shelburne

 

Delta Dawn - Tanya Tucker

Shortly after recording “Delta Dawn,” Tanya Tucker overheard her producer Billy Sherrill tell someone over the phone, “Don’t tell anyone she’s 13.” By keeping the focus on the music and not her age, Tucker presumably wouldn’t be seen as a novelty act. The strategy worked as her landmark debut single reached the top ten in 1972. Songwriter Alex Harvey, who shares credit on the song with Larry Collins, reflected on the hardscrabble life of his mother, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta, as the song took shape. As soon as Sherrill played “Delta Dawn” for Tucker on his reel-to-reel tape machine, she knew she wanted to record it. Sherrill listened – and so did country fans. Tucker performed “Delta Dawn” during Ernest Tubb’s segment at her Opry debut at the Ryman in 1972, and again in 2023, when she became the first artist to ride a horse onto the Opry stage. – Craig Shelburne

 

Jolene – Dolly Parton

One of the most instantly recognizable songs in country music history, “Jolene” was written by Dolly Parton in a matter of hours—but it has lasted a lifetime. Inspired by a red-haired bank teller who flirted with Dolly’s husband, the song captures the desperate plea of a woman begging another not to steal her man. Released in 1973, “Jolene” reached No. 1 on the country chart the following year and achieved Grammy Hall of Fame honors in 2014. Whether sung by Dolly, other Opry stars like Carly Pearce and Rhonda Vincent, or even rockers like The White Stripes, the song proves that no one is immune to the power of Jolene. Miley Cyrus, Olivia Newton-John, Mindy Smith and Pentatonix have all put their spin on this modern classic. Dolly herself enchanted the crowd with a performance of “Jolene” at a special Opry show in 2019, commemorating her 50th anniversary as an Opry member. - Nicole Judd

 

Coat of Many Colors - Dolly Parton

In a treasure trove of songs about her life, Opry star Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” continues to resonate with listeners long after its 1971 release. Lauren Alaina, an Opry member since 2022, says, “I actually inherited my great-grandmother's coat of many colors. My great-aunt made it for my great-grandmother. I think they heard the song and made the coats back in the day. They were very poor and made all of their clothing and that song made them feel so empowered because they could have a beautiful coat of many colors. I just love that Dolly Parton made so many women feel proud of where they came from. Even if they didn't have much, they felt celebrated and excited. And I got to keep my great-grandmother’s coat! And it's very cute! I've actually worn it at the Grand Ole Opry to sing ‘Coat of Many Colors.’”

 

The Grand Tour – George Jones

When it comes to country heartbreak, nobody sings it better than George Jones, and “The Grand Tour” might be his finest moment. Written by George Richey, Carmol Taylor, and Norro Wilson, the 1974 classic takes listeners through the empty rooms of a broken home after a love has fallen apart. With Jones’ aching delivery and Billy Sherrill’s dramatic production, “The Grand Tour” became the Opry legend’s first #1 solo hit in seven years and remains a masterclass in storytelling through song. Many fans have speculated that Jones, who had his share of heartbreak, was singing from experience. Whether or not that’s true, one thing is for sure: few country songs cut deeper than this one. Aaron Neville charted a Top 40 country hit with “The Grand Tour” in 1993, and Opry member Luke Combs delivered his exceptional rendition on the Opry 100 special in 2025.

 

I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton

 If I had a dollar for every Opry staff member who has cited Dolly Parton’s performance of this song on the Opry stage to Porter Wagoner on the evening of his 50^th Opry anniversary as their all-time favorite Opry moment they’ve witnessed, I’d have at least $25. Most music fans know the story well: Parton had written the song as a means of telling Wagoner that after years in his shadow, she was going to depart The Porter Wagoner Show and go her own way as an artist. After fights, lawsuits, and make-ups, the reunion between the former duet partners on May 19, 2007, was the last time the two appeared together on the Opry stage. In a testament to the song’s versatility, it became the centerpiece to this year’s OPRY 100 network television special, as Lady A, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood were joined by nearly 50 additional Opry members in dedicating “I Will Always Love You” to Parton in the days following the loss of her husband, Carl Dean. – Dan Rogers

 

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain – Willie Nelson

“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” sounds like it was written just for Willie Nelson, but it actually dates back to 1945 when Fred Rose penned it for Opry star Roy Acuff. However, it was Willie’s stripped-down, emotional 1975 recording that made it legendary. Featured on his breakthrough album Red Headed Stranger, the song gave Nelson his first No. 1 hit, thirteen years after charting for the first time. The single’s sparse, mournful sound made it one of the most haunting heartbreak songs in country history and brought Nelson his first of 12 Grammy Awards. Nelson had already moved on from the Opry cast by the time of the song’s release; though he was inducted in 1964, Nelson amicably parted ways with the show to focus on touring, especially in Texas. Decades later, when Willie sings “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” you can still hear the ache in every word. - Nicole Judd

 

Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell

Dozens of artists who followed Glen Campbell to stardom have cited the influence of “Rhinestone Cowboy,” a dazzling chart-topping hit about seeking success and knowing that one day the world will be singing along. Penned by Larry Weiss, “Rhinestone Cowboy” earned CMA’s Song of the Year in 1976 as well as ACM trophies for Single and Song of the Year. (It also became the first song since Jimmy Dean’s 1961 smash “Big Bad John” to top the country and Hot 100 charts simultaneously.) Loretta Lynn, Charlie McCoy, Charley Pride and even Bruce Springsteen have since sung about those dirty sidewalks on Broadway. Although he never joined the Opry as a member, Campbell performed “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” at his final guest appearance in 2003. One of the most popular and recognizable crossover artists of all time, Campbell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. - Dan Rogers

 

Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Crystal Gayle

“I hope you remember this one,” Crystal Gayle often humbly says on the Opry stage as her band launches into this jazzy classic recorded in 1976, released in 1977, and earning a Grammy in 1978. Of course nearly everyone in the Opry House does in fact know “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” as it was recognized by ASCAP as one of the ten most-performed songs of the 20th century. Richard Leigh, who also wrote each of Gayle’s first three Top 10 hits, penned the tune somewhat famously inspired by his dog. After the dog’s passing, Leigh has said he lovingly placed her collar on his Grammy Award for Country Song of the Year. In 2016, more than 50 years after Gayle had made her Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium, Carrie Underwood joined her on the same stage first to collaborate with her on “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and secondly to extend a long-awaited Opry invitation. – Dan Rogers

 

Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys - Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

Like a cowboy, this classic country duet drifted for years before Waylon Jennings grabbed a hold of it. Initially, songwriter Ed Bruce challenged his frustrations as a fledgling artist into a song called “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Guitar Players.” His wife at the time, Patsy Bruce, suggested “cowboys” instead, since many country fans grew up loving Western movies and cowboys had become almost mythical figures in the American landscape. They finished writing the song together and Ed Bruce notched a modest hit with his rendition. But in 1978, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson made it their own, although their argument wasn’t all that convincing. (They seemed like a lot more fun than “doctors and lawyers and such.”) More than four decades later, Shooter Jennings and Lukas Nelson grew up to be … recording artists, paying homage to their fathers with their own rendition in 2020. - Craig Shelburne

 

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

On a warm summer’s evening, you might just meet up with “The Gambler” at the Grand Ole Opry. After a few years of trying to catch a break in Nashville, Don Schlitz wrote most of the song in his head on a 20-minute walk to a meeting. He then put those words on the page using his late father’s Smith-Corona typewriter. The final verse eluded him for weeks, but after he finished the song and Kenny Rogers released it in 1978, they both hit the jackpot. “The Gambler” won two Grammy awards, inspired five TV movies, and set the stage for Schlitz’s magnificent songwriting career. In 2022, Vince Gill surprised him with an Opry invitation. Schlitz replied, “Can I bring my songs?” Whenever he performs “The Gambler” at the Opry now, backed by the Opry band, the entire audience sings along. Clearly he’s found an ace that he could keep. - Craig Shelburne

 

Family Tradition - Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. revitalized his career with “Family Tradition,” a Top 5 hit in 1979 that redefined his image and his musical direction. As a boy, he had been molded by his mother into somewhat of a tribute act to his late father, Hank Williams, a legendary yet troubled artist who’d been dropped from the Opry cast. “Family Tradition” amplified the rowdy ways of both men, with the song’s title answering the inevitable question: “Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?” (And if you want to know why he drinks and rolls smoke, sing this song in a bar and the whole crowd will shout the answer back to you.) “Family Tradition” appeared four years after Hank Jr. fell from a mountain in Montana, a devastating accident with a long recovery – and a silver lining. After “Family Tradition,” he would make the music he wanted to make. - Craig Shelburne

 

The Devil Went Down to Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band

I’ve worked at the Grand Ole Opry for more than 25 years, and I don’t know if I have ever heard the Opry crowd explode with raucous applause the way it would when the Charlie Daniels Band would break into “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” There was always a standing ovation involved. Sometimes it’d come at the end of the classic and on other nights the ovation would begin with Daniels’ first notes from his fiddle. Released in 1979, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” earned the Charlie Daniels Band their first and only number one country hit, crossed over to the pop chart, and won a Grammy before gaining even more notoriety from the 1980 monster success of the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. After decades of guest appearances, Charlie Daniels achieved his lifelong dream when he was inducted into the Opry by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith in 2008. - Dan Rogers

 

Every once in a while, country music is off on its own and then it just crashes right into the zeitgeist and it changes popular music, and whatever is on the pop charts better get out of the way because here comes country. And for that song to do it, because it was so country… the great Charlie Daniels just playing that fiddle, and playing it hot! On the one hand it’s incredibly classic with that fiddle. On the other hand, it rocks harder than just about any rock song you can think of. Honestly, I had the great, great fortune to get to meet and know Charlie Daniels here at the Grand Ole Opry. There’s many a night that I got to be on this show, and Charlie always closed it because who was going to follow him? I’m telling you, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ is a barnburner, in the true sense of the word. Every time I saw it live, it won the night, it won the moment, it won the audience, and people were just blown away. That is a song! – Charles Esten

Silver Wings - Merle Haggard

“Silver Wings” isn’t just a song—it’s a feeling. Written and recorded by Merle Haggard, this 1969 ballad is all about watching love fly away, literally and figuratively. Though never released as a single, it became one of Haggard’s most beloved songs, a staple in his concerts and a favorite among fans. With its dreamy melody and aching lyrics, “Silver Wings” captures the loneliness of watching someone leave, knowing there’s nothing you can do to stop them. Haggard re-recorded the song for a duets album with Willie Nelson in 1987; Suzy Bogguss, Jimmy Buffett, Rosanne Cash & Rufus Wainwright, Freddy Fender, and Earl Scruggs with special guest Linda Ronstadt have paid tribute to the country legend with their own renditions. More than 50 years after its original release on an album titled A Portrait of Merle Haggard, “Silver Wings” is still one of the most beautiful heartbreak songs in country music. - Nicole Judd

Harper Valley PTA - Jeannie C. Riley

This country and pop hit from 1968 provided quite an introduction into the music world for both its artist and songwriter. For Jeannie C. Riley, the irresistible song gave her a signature hit with sassy lyrics and provocative album artwork that perfectly fit her personality. While she would hit the Billboard Top 40 a dozen more times, this was her only trip to #1. For the songwriter Tom T. Hall, “Harper Valley PTA” served as a very impressive calling card. Opry star Jimmy C Newman famously tells, "I used to walk up and down Music Row telling people what a great songwriter Tom T. Hall was, then he wrote ‘Harper Valley PTA’ and people would tell ME what a great songwriter Tom T. Hall was.” – Charlie Mattos, WSM Radio

Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” That simple, resonant phrase entered the country music lexicon in 1968, as the Man in Black introduced himself to the inmates of Folsom State Prison, then launched into one of his early hits, “Folsom Prison Blues.” Cash’s landmark live album captured that infamous moment for fans beyond the prison walls and reinvigorated his career. Infused with the intensity of his captive audience, the new version of “Folsom Prison Blues” delivered Cash’s first No. 1 hit in five years, spent __ weeks at the top of the chart, and won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. (He collected a second Grammy for his album notes for Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.) Cash had parted ways with the Opry by this time, yet “Folsom Prison Blues” has never been a stranger to the Opry stage. Chris Janson, Chris Stapleton, Josh Turner and more have revived this Cash classic in the Opry circle. - Craig Shelburne

Rocky Top - The Osborne Brothers

The Osborne Brothers introduced country fans to good ol’ “Rocky Top” on Christmas Day, 1967, long before it emerged as a bluegrass festival favorite, an official state song of Tennessee, and a rallying cry at University of Tennessee football games. Felice and Boudleaux Bryant wrote “Rocky Top” in about 15 minutes in a Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hotel room. Sonny and Bobby Osborne, Opry members since 1964, recorded the nostalgic tune on a whim, needing one more number to round out a recording session. Chet Atkins, Charlie Daniels Band, Dolly Parton, and many other country legends have tackled the irresistible “Rocky Top,” too. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the song in 2017, Bobby Osborne told the Tennessean, “If I’m at the Opry and I have two songs (to play), one of them will be ‘Rocky Top.’ And if I just do one song in the segment, that one will be ‘Rocky Top.’" – Craig Shelburne

Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette

Mama Tried - Merle Haggard

I once spent an entire 24 hours in Oildale, California, trying to organically locate what I am sure would be the remnants of Merle Haggard's birthplace, the boxcar his daddy restored on a vacant lot for his family to live in. According to his song, "Mama Tried," (one of his 38 #1 songs) his daddy left his momma a heavy load trying to fill up daddy's shoes after he died. I personally think this is my favorite Merle song, enough so that I tattooed it on my body. I even got a chance one time to show him my arm where it's emblazoned. He said, "Wow, now that is a big fan." His sparkly playing always drew me in but his words are what cut me the deepest. I was obsessed with his songs from a very young age, becoming partial to this one for some reason. It's not because I related to it, I think it was because it was just so real, and of course, the signature guitar licks were intoxicating. My favorite story about my tattoo is that my own father finally saw it after I had managed to hide it for a couple years. He came over and picked up my wrist and said, "What does that say? Mama Tried? Well she didn't try hard enough or my daughter wouldn't be walking around with tattoos." -- Sunny Sweeney

You Ain't Woman Enough - Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn is my hero. She was the kindest woman I have ever met, never minced a single word and stood up for what she believed in ...all reflected in the words of her songs, and one thing I know is that I would have never wanted to go to Fist City with her. Her shows were nothing short of magical. I remember a time I opened a show for her in Texas in July, outdoors in Austin. I was dying in my jeans and shirt, and she just walked out in what looked like a 60-pound sequined dress acting like she was in the Antarctic. She pranced around the stage telling the stories behind the songs and when it got to the 1966 banger "You Ain't Woman Enough," she said, "And if I saw that woman today, I'da guarantee I'd still take her out now."  She was serious. She sang what she knew, she wrote what she knew, and you believed every word. The magic she made with producer Owen Bradley is unparalleled. When you think about her catalog, she was so far ahead of her time in the content of her songs, and her melodies are melodies that resonate in your head for days after only listening once. I can't count the times I have woken up singing a Loretta song. Her lyrics fall into the category of "timeless"...could have been sung 50 years ago or 50 years from now and still get the same reaction. – Sunny Sweeney

Once A Day - Connie Smith

Connie Smith is considered the Sweetheart of the Grand Ole Opry, earning that distinction from the King of Country Music himself, Roy Acuff. Few singers have enchanted country fans as quickly as Smith did in 1964 with “Once a Day.” Hearing her perform a Jean Shepard song in a talent contest, Opry member Bill Anderson instantly recognized the rare vocal gifts of this unknown singer. They soon forged a friendship and professional relationship as Anderson helped her secure a recording contract and even composed her breakout hit. Smith’s emotional rendition of “Once a Day” spent eight weeks at No. 1, setting a record for women in country music. A lifelong fan of the Opry, Smith joined the cast on August 21, 1965. Dolly Parton, an Opry member since 1969, commented, “I used to stand backstage, and watch her and think, ‘Wow, that girl can sing!’” – Craig Shelburne

Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Written by Merle Kilgore and June Carter about flames of love that simply cannot be put out, “Ring of Fire” was first a release for Carter’s sister, Anita Carter. Johnny Cash heard Anita’s version, recorded his own rendition in 1963, and later said the thoughts of adding mariachi horns/trumpets to the tune came to him in a dream. Featuring background vocals by Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters and future Opry star Jan Howard, Cash’s recording of “Ring of Fire” spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard country chart. It’s since become one of the most listened-to country songs in history, utilized in everything from a Levi’s commercial to a victory song following each NHL Calgary Flames victory. Five years after its release, Johnny & June married in Franklin, Kentucky, forming one of country music’s most famous unions. “Ring of Fire” entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. —Dan Rogers

Hear this song and other Johnny & June classics at Opry 100 Honors, where today’s biggest stars including Lainey Wilson take the stage to pay tribute to the trailblazers. Get Tickets. 

Sweet Dreams (Of You) - Patsy Cline

I Fall To Pieces - Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline needed a hit when she agreed to record “I Fall to Pieces” before she even heard it. Four years had passed since “Walkin’ After Midnight” introduced Cline to a national audience, but her career had slowed dramatically in the years that followed. Struggling as a songwriter around the same time, Hank Cochran brought the idea for “I Fall to Pieces” to his friend, Harlan Howard, and they finished writing it with high hopes. However, pop phenomenon Brenda Lee passed on it, as she considered it too country. However, Lee’s producer Owen Bradley strongly believed in the song and offered it to Cline, who’d joined the Opry cast a year earlier. Cline and Bradley slowed the tempo slightly, allowing that impeccable, once-in-a-lifetime voice to really shine. “I Fall to Pieces” has been recorded by dozens of artists since Cline carried it to #1 in 1961, though arguably never better. – Craig Shelburne
 

Crazy - Patsy Cline

All it takes is the first three notes of the piano intro for a crowd’s recognition of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” Though it’s been performed countless times in the coveted circle by many, Opry member Mandy Barnett (who starred in the original cast of Always…Patsy Cline at age 19) likely has the most performances of it sung on the same stage Patsy Cline sang it in the early ‘60s. When Patsy first heard the original version that Willie Nelson sang, she didn’t think it was for her. Fortunately, her producer told her it was perfect for the album she was working on and to leave it to him to make it work. Recorded at the historic Quonset Hut on 16th Avenue here in Nashville, the music was recorded with the rhythm section and background singers (The Jordannaires) before Patsy came in a week later and sang it in one take. Pure magic. - Randy Hart

El Paso - Marty Robbins

Marty Robbins’ 1959 classic, “El Paso,” carried the Old West to the country airwaves. Robbins had already secured #1 hits with lush romantic ballads and straightforward heartbreak songs, so writing a cinematic story of a Mexican beauty involved in a murderous love triangle seemed somewhat out of character. However, Robbins didn’t underestimate the audience’s ability to follow the story (they loved Johnny Horton’s “The Battle of New Orleans,” after all), and he knew a whole generation of his fans grew up watching Westerns. However, radio programmers questioned the single’s running time of four minutes, thirty-eight seconds—far more than the standard three-minute length of most hits back then. Robbins, an Opry member since 1953, simply asked them to give it a chance. (Reportedly, some disc jockeys also used it as an opportunity for a bathroom break.) The risk paid off, as “El Paso” reached #1 on the pop and country charts, and earned a Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance. — Craig Shelburne

Opry member Jon Pardi and Texas native Drake Milligan sat down with us to share their connection to this hard-hitting storytelling song. Watch here. 

Walking After Midnight - Patsy Cline

Before Patsy Cline was a country legend, she was a rising star looking for her first big hit. That came in 1957 with “Walking After Midnight,” written by Alan Block and Don Hecht. Cline wasn’t sold on the song at first, but after performing it on the network television show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, the response was immediate—”Walkin’ After Midnight” shot up the charts and introduced the world to her unmistakable voice. The song blended country and pop, helping pave the way for her crossover success. Cline joined the Opry cast in 1960 and soon enjoyed a career resurgence on Decca Records. Known for her big personality, Cline befriended Opry stars like Bill Anderson, Jan Howard and Loretta Lynn, and appeared numerous times on the Ryman stage until her tragic death in 1963. Ten years later, Cline became the first female solo artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. - Nicole Judd

I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash

Before Johnny Cash towered over country music, he walked the line. Or at least he tried to. Cash composed "I Walk the Line" as he grappled with the temptations of the road, particularly as a 24-year-old married man touring with Elvis Presley. You can hear Cash humming for just a moment before singing a verse, which may be an attempt to stay in tune amid all the modulation. But the vocal maneuver also gave the song a cool hook, one that still works almost 60 years later. Cash and the Tennessee Two (guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant) performed "I Walk the Line" at their Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium on July 7, 1956. Later that month, it became Cash’s first number one country single and spent six weeks at the top. Two years after Cash's death, the ode to lasting love inspired the title of the Oscar-winning 2005 biopic, Walk the Line. – Craig Shelburne

Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams

Hank Williams never had the chance to hear “Your Cheatin’ Heart” on the radio, or to see it become perhaps the best-known heartbreak song in country music history. On a summer drive to Louisiana with his fiancée, Billie Jean Jones, Hank recounted the most difficult experiences with his ex-wife, Audrey, and off-handedly remarked, “Her cheatin’ heart will pay!” Suddenly realizing that a song was bubbling up, Hank asked Billie Jean to rustle up a pen and paper, then rattled off the words in about ten minutes as she jotted them down. Hank recorded the song in his final studio session in the fall of 1952, about a month after his dismissal from the Opry cast for drunken behavior and missing his scheduled appearances. The palpable pain in Williams’ voice in “Your Cheatin’ Heart” would reflect the grief of his fans when they learned of the legendary artist’s untimely death on New Year’s Day 1953. 

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams

Few songs capture loneliness like “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Written and recorded by Hank Williams in 1949, the song is full of vivid imagery—whippoorwills, weeping robins, and stars gone cold. Williams' aching vocals turned it into one of country music’s most enduring classics, with artists from Elvis Presley to Al Green covering it over the years. B.J. Thomas’ version in 1966 launched his pop career and Charlie McCoy released a 1972 instrumental version as a country single. Years later, both artists would later join the Opry cast. Even the all-star football player Terry Bradshaw scored a Top 20 country hit with his 1976 rendition and sang it on the Opry stage with the Isaacs in 2014. Considered one of the saddest songs ever written, the song’s haunting lyrics and Williams’ sorrowful delivery make it clear—this is country music at its most raw and real. - Nicole Judd

Wabash Cannonball - Roy Acuff

If the Opry had a theme song, next to “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” it’d be “Wabash Cannonball,” popularized on the Opry airwaves by the King of Country Music and Opry patriarch Roy Acuff. The tale of the fictional train and its vistas was the first song performed when the Opry House opened in 1974, and countless times until Acuff’s passing in 1992. The song lives on at the Opry, including in celebration of the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Grand Ole Opry House. Opry members Johnny Cash, Flatt & Scruggs, George Jones, Boxcar Willie also recorded the folk classic, and it remains a favorite of marching bands and pep bands. A roller coaster inspired by the song and once a hallmark of the now-defunct Opryland theme park, however, lost its thrill. It was relocated to Old Indiana Fun-n-Water Park in Thorntown, Indiana, and was subsequently moved into storage more than two decades ago. – Dan Rogers

Will the Circle Be Unbroken - The Carter Family

If someone unfamiliar with the Opry came to a performance of the show, he’d probably bet against the show’s unofficial theme opening with the lyrics below: 

I was standing by my window
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away

That first-time visitor would lose that bet. Over time, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” has become nearly synonymous with the Opry and with the Opry family coming together for both joyous milestone celebrations and trying times in the life of the Opry or one of its members. It was written as a Christian hymn in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. In the 1930s, A.P. Carter reworked the song including its lyrics and released it with The Carter Family in that same decade. In addition to the famed 1972 performance by Maybelle Carter and a cast assembled with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on an album of the same title, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” has been recorded by Opry stars including Bill Monroe and George Jones as well as John Lee Hooker, Susan Boyle and many others over the course of decades. – Dan Rogers