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15 Soulful, Meaningful, and Deep Country Songs About Life

15 country songs about life
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.

There are so many country songs about life that deliver nuggets of wisdom and speak through our hearts. Whether these are emotional country songs about life’s hardships or country songs about finding meaning and purpose in life, the genre offers something that helps you unravel the meaning of life. After all, life’s journey cannot be easily summed up in words.

So, we have searched for the best country songs about life for you to enjoy and even put you in a better mind frame. These are powerful lyrics and musings of songwriters from various walks of life who found a way to whittle down their unique experiences. Check them out below.

1. Riser by Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley’s catalog includes one of the most inspiring country songs about overcoming life’s obstacles. The inspiring ballad is a great reminder that no matter how challenging life may get, one should not forget that we’re born risers, fighters, and survivors. We can never let ourselves be locked down, and we should never let any painful circumstances define us. After all, we can light up the dark places we’re in.

2. Buy Dirt by Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan

“Buy Dirt” will surely become one of the greatest classic country songs about the journey of life. Jordan Davis wrote the song with his brother Jacob Davis alongside brothers Josh and Matt Jenkins a few months into the global pandemic. It defines life’s simple journey of buying a plot of land, marrying the one you love, and finding a job you enjoy. 

This song won the Song of the Year during the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

3. Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw 

There’s also a plethora of country songs about life lessons and wisdom. One of our favorites is Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.” Written by songwriter Lori McKenna, the song finds McGraw giving practical life lessons – and, more importantly, strong character and moral values. The most important lesson of them all, though, is to remain humble and kind.

It won Best Country Song at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

4. The Journey of Your Life by Jake Owen

Guess we can all agree that Jake Owen’s “The Journey of Your Life” is one of the best country songs about the struggles of life. This underrated gem off Owen’s Barefoot Blue Jean Night imparts great advice on the most significant things in life and how we need to keep them close to us – such as never getting above your raising, no matter what dreams you’re chasing. 

5. It’s A Great Day To Be Alive by Travis Tritt 

If you’re looking for poignant country songs about the fragility of life, then you will surely be inspired by this powerful country ballad. We all have bad days, and life does not always go as planned. “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” will help you focus on looking at all the things great about your life and being grateful for it. In the end, life’s better when you live and let live.

6. There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney 

Life is sometimes complicated, and there are honest country songs about the complexities of life to prove it. Take, for instance, Kenny Chesney’s “There Goes My Life,” which tells a heartwarming story of a young man facing an unplanned pregnancy with his girlfriend. While he thought his life had seemingly been ruined, the song continued with the man embracing the good and bad changes in life.

7. When It Rains, It Pours by Luke Combs 

Some soulful country songs about the beauty of life sing about how when one door closes, another one opens. In this lighthearted anthem, Luke Combs finds himself riding a lucky streak after getting dumped – giving the old woe-is-me phrase such a massive twist. 

“When It Rains, It Pours” became the country star’s first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

8. Life Is Good by Jo Dee Messina

Jo Dee Messina said that this song is basically her general outlook on life. In the end, life’s too short to suffer from negativity. Getting up every morning, putting your feet on the ground, and living through the day is just a pure blessing. Something we all should be really grateful for.

9. Life Off My Years by Lee Brice

Written by Eric Church, “Life Off My Years” tells the importance of living your life. When Lee Brice first heard it, he knew he needed to record the song immediately.

He wanted to tell people that while he is “a little reckless sometimes, I’d rather take a couple of years off my life than take the life out of my years.” After all, life is too short.

10. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band

One of the most heartfelt country songs about the joys of life is none other than Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried,” which is an absolute celebration of a rural lifestyle. Zac Brown explained that the song is basically just a list of all the things that he loves. 

It became the band’s breakthrough hit, ranking No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

11. The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert

In this song, Miranda Lambert returned to where she grew up, “the house that built her” – the very place where all her childhood memories are. It was written by Allen Shamblin, who based the song on his experiences going back to the house he spent his childhood years at least once a year. It was indeed one of the greatest country songs about growing up.

12. Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney definitely knows nostalgia as he gives us one of the most nostalgic country songs about the memories of life. The reflective ballad is a great reminder about slowing down and cherishing every moment. As we know it, life passes by faster than you think.

Many relate to the song that it swiftly reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

13. Life In Prison by Merle Haggard

Life stories in country songs are definitely our favorite, and no one delivers them better than country legend Merle Haggard. “Life In Prison” tells the story of a man found guilty of murder after killing his lover. While he wasn’t sentenced to death, he faces something much worse – and that’s life in prison.

14. Doing Life With Me by Eric Church

If there’s one thing we are most thankful for in life, it’s absolutely the people who stuck with us, even though we can sometimes be difficult company. In the song, Eric Church expressed his gratitude to his loyal family, friends, bandmates, and fans who stayed by his side through thick and thin in his musical journey. 

15. Life Rolls On by Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line’s catalog includes one of the top country songs about the ups and downs of life. “Life Rolls On” is an anthem of resilience wherein whatever success and challenges Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard face, the country duo would surely just go with the flow.

So, there you go, our most cherished country songs about life, reminding us that life can be a beautiful journey, a big adventure, a crazy ride, and sometimes, a hard teacher.

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