The 5 Greatest Country Songs Of The 80s

Crossover singers like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, as well as the introduction of various other factors, contributed to country music’s meteoric rise to prominence in the 1980s. Much of country music’s biggest singles came out in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and this is mirrored in the fans’ high opinion of the music from those decades. Check out the top 5 greatest country songs in the 80s decade below.

Keith Whitley – “When You Say Nothing at All” (1988)

The phrase “When You Say Nothing at All” has become virtually synonymous with Keith Whitley. When Whitley released “When You Say Nothing” as the B-side of 1988’s smash hit “Don’t Shut Your Eyes,” he continued his success. It was his sixth consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs list.

Randy Travis – “Forever and Ever, Amen” (1987)

In 1987, Randy Travis recorded a version of “Forever and Ever, Amen” that would become one of the most iconic songs of his career. The classic country tune complements Travis’ rough vocal pipes perfectly.

Dolly Parton – “9 to 5” (1980)

Dolly Parton’s 1980 song, “9 to 5,” which served as the title tune for the comedy film of the same name and starred Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda, offered a voice to women in the office. Written entirely by Parton, the song features progressive lyrics that criticize sexism in business.

George Jones – “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1980)

By releasing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in 1980, George Jones established the standard for country music for the next decade. The narrative of a guy who spends his life nursing a broken heart after he and the lady he loves split ways is told in “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” often considered the finest country song of all time.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton – “Islands in the Stream” (1983)

The list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of this fantastic duet of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s – “Islands in the Stream.” Written by Bee Gees, “Islands in the Stream” established the 1980s pop-country sound they helped pioneer. The song was a huge success in several genres, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs, Top 100, and Adult Contemporary charts.