The Biggest Country Songs From Each Year Of The ’90s

Let’s travel back in time and revisit country music’s golden era as we reminisce about the biggest country songs of the 90s.

With Music VF’s detailed ranking system, which evaluates song performance on US and UK charts, we’ve compiled a curated list of the decade’s greatest hits. These songs aren’t just nostalgic 90s throwbacks; they’ve stood the test of time as some of the genre’s most iconic songs.

See below the top country song from each year of the 1990’s.

1990: “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go” – Alabama

“Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go” stands out as one of Alabama’s most iconic love songs. Often featured in the band’s greatest hits compilations, it was released in October 1990 as the third single from their album Pass It On Down. The song marked Alabama’s twenty-ninth number-one hit on the country charts, where it held the top position for a week and remained on the charts for a total of twenty weeks.

1991: “Walking In Memphis” – Marc Cohn

Marc Cohn wrote and recorded “Walking in Memphis” in 1991, marking his most successful song to date. The track eventually earned him a Song of the Year nomination at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1992. Despite its release over three decades ago, “Walking in Memphis” remains a classic, with many high-profile artists covering it over the years, such as Cher and Lonestar.

1992: “Achy Breaky Heart” – Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus’ legendary song “Achy Breaky Heart” has become one of the most well known tracks in the genre since it hit airwaves on both Country and Pop radio over 30 years ago. Released in 1992 as the first single from his debut album Some Gave All, the song skyrocketed to the top of music charts in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

1993: “I Swear” – John Michael Montgomery

“I Swear” was originally written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers, and it was released by country artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993. The song was a massive hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in the United States. It also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching high positions there as well. Today, the song remains as a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions.

1994: “Don’t Take The Girl” – Tim McGraw

“Don’t Take the Girl” was recorded by Tim McGraw and released in March 1994 as the second single from his album Not a Moment Too Soon. “Don’t Take the Girl” became one of McGraw’s signature songs and a major hit, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song tells the story of a boy who experiences different stages of life with a girl he loves, from childhood to adulthood.

1995: “I Like It, I Love It” – Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw continued his chart-topping streak in the 1990s with his smash hit “I Like It, I Love It,” dominating music charts for the second consecutive year. Released in 1995 as the lead single from his third album, All I Want, the song went to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in the United States. Simultaneously, it marked McGraw’s debut in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 25.

1996: “Blue” – LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes was just 13-years-old when she recorded “Blue.” It was originally written by Bill Mack in the 1950s but gained widespread attention after Rimes recorded it for her debut studio album of the same name, released in 1996. “Blue” became a massive hit, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also earned Rimes a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, making her the youngest person ever to win a Grammy in that category.

1997: “How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes

In 1997, LeAnn Rimes released “How Do I Live,” a powerful ballad that became one of the biggest hits of her career. The song spent a remarkable 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a record at the time, and peaked at number two. It also reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and achieved international success in numerous countries.

1998: “You’re Still The One” – Shania Twain

In 1998, Shania Twain released “You’re Still The One,” a timeless country-pop ballad that became one of her most iconic songs. Co-written by Twain and her then-husband Robert John “Mutt” Lange, the song served as the third single from her highly successful album Come On Over. “You’re Still The One” won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and received nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Its memorable music video also gained attention and became a staple on music television channels during the time.

1999: “Breathe” – Faith Hill

“Breathe” by Faith Hill, released in 1999, served as the lead single from her fourth studio album of the same name and marked a shift in her musical style towards country pop. The song was a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it her first and only song to top that chart. It also topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming her sixth number-one hit on the country chart. Additionally, the track also earned Hill a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.