Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

15 Country Songs of 2020 that Were Sold Short

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

A span of 365 days is indeed too short for so many masterpieces that country music artists create in one year. Within it were the country songs that didn’t have the time to shine on Billboards’ monthly charts and CMA’s annual awarding. So, without further ado, here are some of country music’s undiscovered gems for the year 2020.

1. “The Problem” by Amanda Shires and Jason Isbel

This single by Shires features her husband in which they support and talk about cases of abortion. Despite the sensitive topic, they never cease to show their unwavering and unconditional love for one another and how they got each other’s backs in dire situations.

2. “Sparrow” by Ashley McBryde

This entry from Ashley McBryde comes directly from her major-sophomore album, ‘Never Will’ where she talks about pursuing her dreams while feeling that something fierce and needed is lacking. This single is noted to be relatable to most people as it discusses hardships and lack of dedication.

3. “Paris, Illinois” by Brett Eldredge

This short track from Brett Eldredge packs a lot of punch as it describes his ‘New York State of Mind’. For most people, it sounds reminiscent of some of the Billy Joel classics and its melody is sure to make you feel nostalgic for your hometown.

4. “Back on the Bottle” by Brothers Osborne

This is a song filled with barn-burner choruses along with a tailor-made barroom sing-along. For the Brothers, this musical style is way ahead of its time but with the right recognition, it’s enough to rile out a crowd ready for a long night of revelry.

5. “Happier for You” by Cam

Co-written by pop artist Sam Smith, this track can turn its listeners into an emotional rollercoaster through the subtle chiming of church bells in its background which depicts the wedding of the protagonists’ ex.

6. “It Won’t Always Be Like This” by Carly Pearce

This single is a self-written letter of Pearce to her younger self, which is a big dreamer who wanted to one day reach Nashville to pursue her musical career as a country artist.

7. “Just Friends” by Caylee Hammack

The song’s first few lines can be quite misleading for first-time listeners as its feel slowly turns into a tragedy when the singer offers a kiss-off to the friend who turned into a lover before once again becoming a stranger to her life.

8. “Waste of Lime” by Ingrid Andress

This is Andress’s most light yet upbeat single yet, featuring a chill demeanor of a good time under the summer sun.

9. “Better Than I Am” by Keith Urban

This song has been stored in one of his reserves for quite a while now. It features the beautiful relationship of the singer to his spouse and how they take care of each other’s vulnerabilities through openness and love.

10.”Sellout” by Koe Wetzel

This album by Wetzel is more that it meets the eye as it contains the memories of his late high school friend who had a big role in his life.

11. “For a Boat” by Luke Bryan

The protagonist in this single refers to his non-existent boat and realizing that money isn’t everything in the world, Bryan further depicts the song as a bond of a father and son who were not able to buy a boat but was happy and contended through the wisdom he imparts.

12. “Whiskey and Rain” by Michael Rain

The song depicts over perfect guitar lick and sad pedal steel the heartbreak that the song protagonist feels and how he quickly drained his bottle of Black Label while contemplating his emotions.

13. “Bra Off” by RaeLyn

In this single, RaeLyn talks about his long-time ex and how she got over him. For her the song is quite cringy but, she was able to laugh it off as she goes through a new leaf.

14. “Polyester” by Luke Dick and Miranda Lambert

This track is the materialization of Dick’s life story. It talks about his life as a child who was raised by his single mother, and emphasizes how one should never forget where they came from.

15. “Long Violent History” by Tyler Childers

This song talks heavily about racism especially as Childers has quite a history of experiencing these things. He wanted to address all inequality in the world as he acts as a mouthpiece for those people who cannot speak up.

Latest Stories

Reba McEntire with son Shelby Blackstock and daughter-in-law Marissa Branch smiling in festive overalls and chili-pepper necklaces at home, as Shelby opens up about the heartbreaking miscarriage of their long-awaited baby boy just months after losing Brandon Blackstock.

Reba McEntire’s Son, Shelby Blackstock, Says the Pregnancy Loss Left Him Heartbroken

Heartbreak hit home again for one of country music’s most beloved families. Shelby Blackstock, Reba McEntire’s only son, and his wife, Marissa, have opened up about a devastating loss that’s ...

Maddie & Tae, Madison Font and Taylor Kerr, pose together in matching boho style as the duo officially confirms their heartbreaking split after 15 years, with Tae focusing on family and Maddie launching solo while insisting their sister-like bond remains forever.

Maddie & Tae Confirm Heartbreaking Split After 15 Years and Say It’s Not the End of Their Bond

They built a whole world together, and now they are walking away from it with tears in their eyes and love still intact. After fifteen years of harmony, hits, and ...

Garth Brooks performs at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors wearing his signature black cowboy hat and striped shirt, strumming a Takamine guitar while paying tribute to rock legends KISS instead of fellow country icon George Strait during the December 7 ceremony.

Garth Brooks Performed at the Kennedy Center Honors But Not for George Strait

You’d think if Garth Brooks walked into a room where George Strait was being honored, he’d be first in line to sing his praises. But that ain’t how it went ...

Reba McEntire with son Shelby Blackstock, daughter-in-law Marissa Branch, and husband Rex Linn in a family photo, as Marissa speaks out about the heartbreaking miscarriage of their baby boy just months after the death of Reba's former stepson Brandon Blackstock.

Reba McEntire’s Family Is Hit With More Heartbreak as Her Daughter-in-Law Speaks Out on Pregnancy Loss

Sometimes even the strongest families get knocked down more than once before they catch their breath. Reba McEntire‘s family has just lived through another heavy and painful chapter. Just four ...

President Donald Trump places the Kennedy Center Honors medal around George Strait's neck in the Oval Office, with the King of Country smiling in his signature black cowboy hat and tuxedo during the powerful 2025 ceremony honoring his legendary career.

President Trump Presents George Strait With Kennedy Center Medal in Powerful Oval Office Moment

The King of Country just got a medal from the President in the most cowboy way imaginable. George Strait walked into the Oval Office this past Saturday with the same ...

Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton share the stage singing "Jolene," Miley in black and Dolly in glittering white, capturing the raw, emotional 2012 Backyard Sessions moment that proved Miley's country roots and earned praise as the greatest cover of Dolly's classic.

Dolly Parton’s Goddaughter Once Covered “Jolene” and Some Say It’s the Best Version Since the Original

When your godmother is Dolly Parton, there are certain songs you do not just cover, you carry them. And when Miley Cyrus tackled “Jolene” during her now-legendary Backyard Sessions, she ...

Kelly Clarkson gestures emphatically during an interview, revealing she forfeited songwriting royalties worth hundreds of thousands (or millions) on "My Life Would Suck Without You" rather than share official credit with producer Dr. Luke.

Kelly Clarkson Gave Up Songwriting Royalties to Avoid Being Tied to a Producer She Couldn’t Stand

Some songs pay the bills, but not all are worth the price. Kelly Clarkson’s 2009 hit “My Life Would Suck Without You” was a massive success. It shot from No. ...

Gavin Adcock performing live on stage in a white cowboy hat, sunglasses, and patterned western shirt, holding a mic in one hand and a Miller Lite in the other, revealing that Alan Jackson's "Remember When" is the one country song that still brings him to tears every time.

Gavin Adcock Says One Alan Jackson Song Still Wrecks Him Every Time and It Ain’t Even Close

Gavin Adcock might look like he is built for brawls and bar fights, but even the rowdiest country wild card has a soft spot that can split him wide open. ...

Post Malone grinning with full beard and tattoos while strumming a yellow Martin acoustic guitar on stage in a brown suede jacket and bolo tie, and will headline the free Bud Light Presents Post Malone & Buddies concert on February 6, 2026, at Fort Mason in San Francisco during Super Bowl LX weekend.

The Super Bowl Just Got a Whole Lot More Country With Post Malone Headlining Bud Light’s Concert

Country is officially in the Super Bowl conversation now and it is Post Malone leading the charge with a mic in one hand and a cold Bud Light in the ...

Kelly Clarkson delivers a jaw-dropping Kellyoke performance of Ella Langley's "Weren't For The Wind" on The Kelly Clarkson Show, eyes closed and pouring raw emotion into the mic while wearing a denim shirt, sparking massive fan demands for her long-awaited country album in 2025.

Kelly Clarkson Dropped the Most Insane Ella Langley Cover and Now Everyone Is Begging for Her Country Album

Kelly Clarkson just covered an Ella Langley song on national TV, and now half the country fanbase is wondering why the hell she hasn’t dropped a country record already. It ...