Did you know that when country superstar Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album in 1992, it became an instant chart and sales success? In fact, it went straight to the top of country album charts – not only in the United States but also in several other countries. Billy Ray Cyrus songs even sparked a new dance craze.
Truly, the singer-songwriter was one of the biggest country music stars of the 1990s. His blending of country music with rock, combined with his singing, charming personality, and good looks, made him the toast of the nation. So, here are Billy Ray Cyrus‘ greatest hits of all time.
1. “Achy Breaky Heart”
Released as Cyrus’ debut single, “Achy Breaky Heart” did not only become his signature song, but it also best represents the country music craze in the early ’90s.
It became a crossover hit on country and pop radio, where it reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video also led to the outburst of the line dance into the mainstream.
2. “Busy Man”
Cyrus’ first Top 10 hit after five years, “Busy Man,” follows a man’s hectic life. He’s so preoccupied with his job that he no longer has time to spend with his wife and children.
But before the song ends, he changed his heart and mind.
3. “Ready, Set, Don’t Go”
In 2007, Cyrus joined forces with his daughter, Miley Cyrus, for “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” – which upon release quickly witnessed a rise in airplay. It subsequently took Cyrus back to the Top 40 of Billboard Hot 100 after nearly two decades.
4. “Could’ve Been Me”
Released as the follow-up to his first No. 1 hit, this moderate up-tempo ballad tells the heartbreaking story of a man who hears from a friend that his then-girlfriend just got married. He realized it could have been him standing there with her.
5. “Wher’m I Gonna Live?”
With his wife throwing him and all his belongings out of the house, the country singer finds himself asking where he is going to go now. Cyrus co-wrote the song with his then-wife Cindy and noted that it was based on his personal experience during the end of their marriage.
6. “Words by Heart”
“Words by Heart” is the third track from his platinum-selling second album, this rock-infused song, made Cyrus look back at his past relationship, most especially how first love was like, after finding the breakup letter from his ex-girlfriend.
7. “Somebody Said a Prayer”
Out of his fair share of emotional songs, nothing compares to “Somebody Said a Prayer,” – which tells the poignant story of a mother and her teenage son who are both going through heartbreak.
8. “Back to Tennessee”
In 2008, Cyrus got the news that he will be the host of the country music reality show Nashville Star – at the same time, he discovered that he would co-star with his daughter on the film Hannah Montana: The Movie. Both were filmed in his hometown of Tennessee, so he wrote the song as he was obviously going home.
9. “Hope Is Just Ahead”
The impact this powerful track had on its listeners was profound. It refers to the familiar and unfortunate events we hear on the news far too many times – and Cyrus is telling us that in spite of all of the sadness, “hope is just ahead.
10. “Nineteen”
The poignant ballad has been recorded several times by several different artists throughout the decade. “Nineteen” tells the story of a high school football star who turned down an opportunity in university to join the Marines after he witnessed the September 11 attacks.
11. “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore”
Cyrus closed his debut album with this mid-tempo ballad. “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” was told by a man whose lover left him for another man. Now, he finds himself filled with regrets for ignoring her when she needed to be loved.
12. “Hillbilly Heart (Keeping It Country)”
Cyrus wrote this song as “a tip of the hat to my pure love of country music – past, present, and future.” It also highlights the singer’s Kentucky roots.
13. “Country Music Has The Blues”
Cyrus enlisted two of the biggest names in country music, George Jones and Loretta Lynn, to lament the genre’s current state. The singer wrote this song with his son, Trace Cyrus.
14. “Some Gave All”
Cyrus co-wrote this patriotic song about the ultimate war sacrifice after his encounter with a Vietnam veteran. It was his debut album’s title track, and Cyrus re-recorded the song nine years later with Jamey Johnson, a member of the Marine Corps.
15. “I’m American”
The title track to the album that’s filled with patriotic songs, Cyrus explained that the song is a “tribute to veterans and the men and women who are sacrificing so much for our freedom.”
Guess You’ll Love These Billy Ray Cyrus Songs Even More
There’s definitely so much more you need to listen to on Billy Ray Cyrus’ music catalog. So we’ve added more of his songs below.
Indeed, the success of Billy Ray Cyrus songs made him one of the most cherished country superstars to date.
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