8 Swoon-Worthy ’80s Country Love Songs That Still Make Our Hearts Flutter

Affectionate ’80s Country Love Songs Continue To Captivate Fans

Country fans know that some of the genre’s greatest love songs emerged during the ’80s. Those who weren’t even born in the ’80s agree that the decade’s romantic hits were top-tier.

Country songs about love and romance have been released in every decade. However, in here, you’ll only find songs released between 1980 and 1989.

Even if a song is now associated with the ’80s due to its themes, sound, or the artist attached to it, the track will not appear in this list if it did not debut in that window.

We still want to acknowledge some songs associated with ’80s country that debuted outside the time frame above. As one example, Don Williams’ “It Must Be Love” dropped in July 1979, making the song just a few months shy of qualifying for our list.

On the flip side, many captivating country love songs were introduced in the ’90s. In fact, we already have a list of ’90s Country Love Songs That Still Give Us Butterflies.

One more thing to note. This list only features songs with a “happier” tone. You won’t find any tracks about heartache or unrequited feelings here.

Songs such as George Jones‘ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and George Strait‘s “You Look So Good In Love” don’t appear in this list. However, if emotional songs like those resonate with you, check out our ranking of 7 Great Country Songs From The ’80s That Still Tug At The Heartstrings.

With that said, get ready to fall head-over-heels in love with eight affectionate country songs from the ’80s!

Romantic ’80s Country Hits That People Still Adore Today

“Forever And Ever, Amen” – Randy Travis

When you think of country love songs, Randy Travis‘ “Forever and Ever, Amen” is likely one of the first tracks that comes to mind. He released the song in March 1987 as the lead single from his album Always & Forever.

Fans were enamored with the sweet country tune about everlasting love. The track landed at the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart after its release, and ranked at the 14th spot on the year-end chart for 1987.

Many accolades followed, as “Forever and Ever, Amen” won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Song and the Song of the Year Award from both the ACM and CMA.

“Forever and Ever, Amen” has since been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the track at the 48th spot on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.

Even after all these years, the song’s heartfelt lyrics still make country fans swoon. As Travis sings:

“If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful, I’ll be happy to tell you again. I’m gonna love you forever and ever. Forever and ever, amen.”

Anyone who’s ever heard “Forever and Ever, Amen” won’t be surprised to see it in this list of outstanding ’80s country love songs! 

“Mama He’s Crazy” – The Judds

If you don’t already know “Mama He’s Crazy,” you may read the title and think it describes a wild man the narrator has no interest in dating. But the opposite proves to be the case in this country love song released by The Judds in 1984.

“Mama He’s Crazy” has Wynonna taking the lead as she sings to her mama, Naomi, about the man she’s started seeing and how he seems absolutely smitten with her. As the chorus goes:

“I’ve never been so loved. He beats all I’ve ever seen. And mama, he’s crazy. He’s crazy over me.”

’80s country fans went crazy for The Judds’ romantic tune and sent it to the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. It was so popular that it ranked at the #3 spot on the Hot Country Songs‘ year-end chart for 1984.

“Mama He’s Crazy” has since been certified Gold by the RIAA.

Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson released a reimagined rendition of “Mama He’s Crazy” on a Judds tribute album in 2023. Their duet introduced a new generation of country fans to a love song many people have adored for decades.

“Love In The First Degree” – Alabama

Alabama recorded several songs that made country fans’ hearts flutter in the ’80s. One of those songs being “Love in the First Degree,” which Alabama released in 1981 as the third single from their album Feels So Right.

Considering its title, it only seems fitting that “Love in the First Degree” reached the first spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. It also claimed the 15th position on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Alabama’s most successful crossover hit.

“Love in the First Degree” follows a man who didn’t want to be tied down by a relationship. But then a special someone comes into his life, and he finds himself hopelessly lovesick.

As the chorus goes:

“Baby, you left me defenseless, but I’ve only got one plea. Lock me away inside of your love, and throw away the key. I’m guilty of love in the first degree.”

Although “Love in the First Degree” was released over 40 years ago, it still stands as one of the greatest country love songs of all time. It seems safe to say that Alabama won over the world with this one!

“Timber, I’m Falling In Love” – Patty Loveless

Timber….you’re destined to fall in love with this ’80s country tune from Patty Loveless. That is, if you haven’t already found yourself mesmerized by it in the past!

“Timber, I’m Falling in Love” debuted in 1989 as the third single from Loveless’ album Honky Tonk Angel. The song features Loveless’ longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Vince Gill, on backing vocals.

As the narrator, Loveless sings about being dazed by an overwhelming sense of affection for the one she loves. Singing in the chorus, she says:

“You’re so pretty, look so sweet. Your love’s sweepin’ me off of my feet. You’re the only one I’m dreamin of. I can’t believe that I’m falling in love.”

Listeners were enchanted by the track and sent it to the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, making it the first chart-topper of Loveless’ career. It also claimed the 35th position on the year-end chart for 1989.

Three years after “Timber, I’m Falling in Love” was released, the song was featured in the 1992 Tom Cruise movie A Few Good Men. Fans of the film know the song, and by default, Loveless, thanks to its inclusion in the seafood restaurant scene.

Decades later, Voice coach Blake Shelton performed “Timber, I’m Falling in Love” with his finalist, Danielle Bradberry, who eventually won her season of the show. Their duet added further to the song’s reputation as a timeless classic!

“A Long Line Of Love” – Michael Martin Murphey

“A Long Line of Love” stands out as one of the greatest country love songs of the ’80s. Paul Overstreet and Thom Schuyler co-wrote the track, which Michael Martin Murphey recorded and released as a single in 1987.

Murphey took the song to the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart following its release. It also ranked at the 35th position on the year-end chart for 1987.

The song’s narrator sings about getting engaged to the woman of his dreams. When she worries if they’ll be able to make it work, he reassures her, describing how he comes from “A Long Line of Love.” His grandparents are still in love after decades together, and his father thinks his mother is “the sweetest thing he ever saw.”

The narrator continues to sing:

“I come from a long line of love. When the times get hard, we don’t give up. Forever’s in my heart and in my blood. You see I come from a long line of love.”

The idea of capturing a multi-generational love story in a country song remains a fairly unique concept. That’s why “A Long Line of Love” stands out in a sea of other romantic tracks.

“Fishin’ In The Dark” – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Since it’s such an iconic love song, “Fishin’ in the Dark” is instantly recognizable. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released their recording in 1987.

“Fishin’ in the Dark” describes a romantic encounter between two lovebirds in the most “country” way imaginable. Longtime listeners have surely belted out the song’s chorus while cruising down a country road on a warm summer night.

As the lyrics go:

“Down by the river in the full moonlight, we’ll be fallin’ in love in the middle of the night, just movin’ slow. Stayin’ the whole night through. It feels so good to be with you.”

“Fishin’ in the Dark” made quite the splash upon its release, landing at the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. The song has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Despite debuting in the ’80s, country fans of all ages love listening to “Fishin’ in the Dark.”

“Islands In The Stream” – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know almost every lyric to “Islands in the Stream.” Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton released the jubilant country love song in 1983.

“Islands in the Stream” sailed to the #1 spot on both the Hot Country Songs chart and the all-genre Hot 100. The song has since been certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

The upbeat track contains passionate lyrics, as the male and female narrators take turns singing about their deep love for each other. Some of the most romantic lines include:

“No more will you cry. Baby, I will hurt you never. We start and end as one, in love forever.”

Undoubtedly, “Islands in the Stream” wouldn’t have been such a phenomenon if it weren’t for Rogers and Parton. They brought a burning chemistry to the song that made fans weak in the knees whenever they watched them sing it live.

If you needed further proof of fans’ affection for “Islands in the Stream,” the song was named the best country duet of all time during a 2005 CMT special!

“When You Say Nothing At All” – Keith Whitley

“When You Say Nothing at All” originated with songwriters Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. Keith Whitley released the track as a single in 1988.

His recording reached the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart and has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA. When CMT released its 100 Greatest Love Songs list in 2004, Whitley’s recording ranked at #12.

Whitley approached each lyric with a heartfelt tenderness, especially when he reached the chorus, which goes:

“The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall. You say it best, when you say nothing at all.”

Sadly, Whitley died on May 9, 1989, just a few months after “When You Say Nothing at All” debuted. He never got the chance to see how the song would continue to touch the lives of country fans for generations to come.

Alison Krauss & Union Station released a cover of “When You Say Nothing at All” in 1995. Their new rendition peaked at #3 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Mike Cromwell, the production director at the radio station WMIL-FM, later blended Krauss and Whitley’s recordings using the power of technology. He created a virtual duet between the two artists who never got to sing together.

Although her version wasn’t released in the ’80s, we couldn’t leave you without sharing the video of Krauss singing “When You Say Nothing at All.” You can watch it below.

Which one of the ’80s country love songs in this list holds a special place in your heart?