With her soaring voice, there’s no way Martina McBride songs won’t make you sing along or send chills down your spine. After all, her tunes are an irrefutable part of the country music canon.
Martina McBride moved to Nashville in 1989 as a budding country singer with one goal – and that’s to build the perfect traditional country album. The Kansas native was raised on the sounds of classic country music, so she went all out for the authenticity of old-time country style and substance. She fulfilled that goal with the release of her debut studio album in 1992.
Since then, she has expanded on the traditional roots and joined the top ranks of brilliant new country performers. Swiftly, she won back-to-back Female Artist of the Year from the Country Music Association, with her fourth win in 2004, and several nods from the Grammy Awards.
So, without further ado, keep on scrolling below for some of the best Martina McBride songs throughout the years.
1. Independence Day
From: The Way That I Am (1994)
When the song first came out, several radio stations wouldn’t play it because of its subject matter. It did not also do well on the charts, but it did win the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year.
Written by singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters, “Independence Day” is a story of domestic violence and one woman’s drastic measures to escape abuse at home. Today, it’s one of the most revered tunes by McBride.
2. My Baby Loves Me
From: The Way That I Am (1993)
McBride earned her first big hit with “My Baby Loves Me,” which was released off her sophomore album. The song – which centers on what everyone seeks to have from a relationship, like a love that’s full of positivity – actually peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, while ranking No. 1 on the Canadian country chart.
3. Concrete Angel
From: Greatest Hits (2001)
This is definitely one of the saddest ballads in the genre, which brings the story of a little girl who endured several cases of abuse at the hands of her mother. “Concrete Angel” ended with the child being killed by her mother and going to the afterlife, where she was loved more than she was on earth.
4. This One’s for the Girls
From: Martina (2003)
McBride has always been an advocate for women’s causes, so it was an “immediate no-brainer” to record the song, which salutes women of various ages dealing with the struggles of different phases of life – from starting a new path to reaching mid-life.
More interestingly, “This One’s for the Girls” features McBride’s daughters, Delaney and Emma, singing backing vocals together with country stars Faith Hill and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
5. Wild Angels
From: Wild Angels (1995)
Over a year after making a buzz in the country music scene, McBride earned her first No. 1 hit in the United States as “Wild Angels” topped the country chart. The song clearly resonated with fans as it finds McBride looking at her relationship and reckoning that there must be angels watching over and keeping them together.
McBride’s eldest daughter Delaney can be heard laughing at the beginning of the song.
6. A Broken Wing
From: Evolution (1997)
Here’s another song by McBride that addresses a deeper issue. “A Broken Wing,” tells the story of a young woman who longs to break free from an emotionally abusive relationship. With such a powerful voice, McBride details the amount of suffering she went through. By the end of the song, she finally was able to escape – but how she does is one of the greatest mysteries.
7. I Love You
From: Emotion (1999)
For You
McBride originally recorded this romantic ballad as a soundtrack to the romantic comedy film Runaway Bride, which starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The song then gained so much attention that it climbed all the way to the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it remained for five consecutive weeks.
8. Blessed
From: Greatest Hits (2001)
McBride talked about how she is blessed in so many ways and thought to herself how beautiful the world is through the words of songwriters Brett James, Troy Verges, and Hillary Lindsey. It became McBride’s fifth and last No. 1 single on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
9. Happy Girl
From: Evolution (1997)
Here’s a great, joyous uptempo ballad by McBride, which sings about a young woman who asserts happiness in her life. While she cried all her tears, lost her hope – her soul broke free. She knew she got these angels watching over her.
10. Whatever You Say
From: Evolution (1997)
Women who often complain that their partners don’t listen to them would surely relate to this song. Written by Ed Hill and Tony Martin, “Whatever You Say” finds McBride in a confusing relationship with her lover. She argues that he thinks she is always making a big deal out of unimportant things.
11. Love’s the Only House
From: Emotion (1999)
McBride sings about empathy in this song penned by songwriters Buzz Cason and Tom Douglas. “Love’s the Only House” chronicles a woman looking at things from someone else standpoint and trying to understand the difficulties they’re going through.
12. I’m Gonna Love You Through It
From: Eleven (2011)
You might want to prepare your heart when you listen to “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” The poignant ballad tells the story of a woman battling cancer and her supportive husband. McBride noted that she aims to give hope and positivity to those going through the same struggle through this song.
13. Still Holding On
From: Evolution (1997)
McBride teamed up with Clint Black in “Still Holding On” as they bring to life the deep emotion of two lovers reminiscing over a relationship that’s doomed but still so dear. With such great chemistry, the song earned a nod at the Grammy Awards in the Best Collaboration with Vocals category.
14. Safe in the Arms of Love
From: Wild Angels (1995)
The song was originally recorded by the country music band Wild Choir in 1986, but it only gained attention when McBride released it nearly a decade later. “Safe in the Arms of Love” tells the story of a woman tired of being on her own and longing for a lover who can give her the security and deep affection she wishes.
15. Shine
From: Shine (2008)
This empowering song uses the roller coaster as a metaphor for life. After all, you can’t change how the amusement ride works, all you can do is hang on and see what happens – basically, just like life. But as long as you have faith, it’s never impossible to touch the sky.
Indeed, Martina McBride never shied away from some of the most challenging topics, and it’s amazing how often she addresses issues such as abuse, illness, and so much more through her tunes. While there are so much more Martina McBride songs that deserve to be on this list, these are the ones that stand out among the rest. How about you? Which ones are your favorites?
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