7 Great Country Songs From The ’80s That Still Tug At The Heartstrings

Tossing A Spotlight On Great Country Songs From The ’80s

Many of the great country songs from the ’80s continue to move listeners today. Decades after their release, these classic tracks still give fans goosebumps and make them cry.

The sad, heartfelt, and downright devastating songs of the ’80s often make their way onto “best of” lists, including this one. Today, we’re spotlighting seven such songs.

Of course, this isn’t the be-all and end-all list of outstanding ’80s country songs. But this list highlights seven tracks that still tug at the heartstrings today—and likely will for all time.

Revisit 7 Great Country Songs From The ’80s That Still Stir Up Strong Emotions

“Always On My Mind” – Willie Nelson

“Always On My Mind” didn’t originate with Willie Nelson. The track, written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James, was first recorded by Brenda Lee. But Gwen McCrae released her version first, in March 1972. Lee’s rendition followed three months later.

Elvis Presley released his cover of “Always On My Mind” in October of that same year. His recording peaked at the 16th spot on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Willie Nelson shared his version of “Always On My Mind” in February 1982. Hearing Nelson sing the song’s heartbreaking lyrics struck an extra emotional chord. His recording reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at #5 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Nelson’s performance led “Always On My Mind” to three Grammy wins. The songwriters won for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. Nelson himself won the award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The Grammy Hall of Fame recognized the importance and timelessness of Nelson’s recording by inducting the track into its ranks in 2008.

Today, Nelson’s version of “Always On My Mind” continues to stir up strong emotions.

“Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)” – The Judds

Jamie O’Hara wrote “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).” The Judds recorded the track and released it as a single in 1986.

In “Grandpa,” Naomi and Wynonna Judd sing to their grandfather, asking him to tell them stories about the past. Listeners felt nostalgic as they listened to the heartfelt lyrics such as:

“Grandpa, take me back to yesterday,
When the line between right and wrong,
Didn’t seem so hazy.”

The Judds took “Grandpa” to the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. The song led O’Hara to win the Grammy Award for Best Country Song, while The Judds won the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

“Grandpa” continues to tug at heartstrings today, as people long for simpler and more peaceful times. The song is even more emotional for ’80s country fans to hear since Naomi Judd passed away in 2022.

“Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Keith Whitley

Bob McDill wrote “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” which Keith Whitley recorded and released as a single in 1988. The song captures the narrator’s heartache as he believes his lover wants to reunite with her former partner.

As Whitley sings:

“You still want him, I know.
But darling this time,
Let your memories die.
When you hold me tonight,
Don’t close your eyes.”

“Don’t Close Your Eyes” captivated country fans in the ’80s. It reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Whitley passed away just one year after releasing “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” Fans continue to mourn Whitley today, and remember him by playing his greatest songs, including “Don’t Close Your Eyes.”

“Whoever’s In New England” – Reba McEntire

Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers co-wrote “Whoever’s in New England.” Reba McEntire made the song the title track of her 1986 album and also released it as a single.

McEntire’s narrator finds herself in distress, as she suspects her husband is having an affair in New England. She believes his frequent “business trips” are guises for him to travel to Massachusetts to visit his lover.

You can feel your heart break as McEntire sings:

“You know it’s not too late, ’cause you’ll always have a place to come back to,
When whoever’s in New England’s through with you.”

It’s no surprise that “Whoever’s in New England” was one of the greatest country songs of the ’80s. The track reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart.

The song also led McEntire to her first Grammy win. She took home the trophy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1987.

In the years since its release, “Whoever’s in New England” continues to give fans chills whenever they hear McEntire sing it.

“Daddy’s Hands” – Holly Dunn

Holly Dunn wrote her song “Daddy’s Hands,” which she released as a single in 1986. The track serves as a tribute to Dunn’s beloved father, who was a minister.

As Dunn told The Tennessean around the time the song debuted, she originally meant for “Daddy’s Hands” to be a Father’s Day gift to her dad. But after she “tapped into a well of emotion” and saw how the song resonated with fans, she released it.

Listeners connected with Dunn’s heartfelt lyrics about her father, such as:

“I remember daddy’s hands workin’ ’til they bled,
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I’d live my life again,
And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands.”

“Daddy’s Hands” reached #7 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Dunn earned two Grammy nominations for the track, scoring nods for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song.

Dunn passed away in 2016 at the age of 59. Now that she’s gone, “Daddy’s Hands” tugs at the heartstrings even more than it did before.

“Seven Spanish Angels” – Ray Charles And Willie Nelson

Troy Seals and Eddie Setser co-wrote “Seven Spanish Angels.” Ray Charles recorded the song for his 1984 album Friendship and featured Willie Nelson as his duet partner.

“Seven Spanish Angels” tells a tragic tale about an outlaw and his lover who are both killed by a group of lawmen. The outlaw dies first, prompting his lover to proclaim how she can’t live without him before she, too, is killed.

As the chorus goes:

“When the battle stopped and the smoke cleared,
There was thunder from the throne.
And seven Spanish Angels,
Took another angel home.”

“Seven Spanish Angels” reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. It also ranked at the 18th spot on the year-end Hot Country Songs chart for 1985.

Over 40 years after its release, “Seven Spanish Angels” still gets the tears flowing whenever it plays.

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” – George Jones

Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman co-wrote “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” It is undoubtedly one of the saddest—and greatest—country songs ever released.

George Jones released “He Stopped Loving Her Today” as a single in 1980. As the narrator, Jones sings about a man who swore he’d love his former partner until the day he died. He kept her love letters and photos, hoping one day she’d return.

Although she never did, he stayed true to his word that he’d love her until he died, as the chorus reveals:

“He stopped loving her today.
They placed a wreath upon his door.
And soon they’ll carry him away.
He stopped loving her today.”

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. It ranked at #3 on the year-end Hot Country Songs chart for 1980.

The song led Jones to win the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. His recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.

After Jones passed away in 2013, Alan Jackson delivered a tearful rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” at his funeral service. That performance, which you can watch below, further cemented the song’s legacy.

Which one of the great ’80s country songs in this list is your favorite?