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

John Anderson Songs That Made Him Stay in The Industry for 40 Years

John Anderson Songs
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.

John Anderson songs have touched many people. It’s quite hard not to be when more than 40 of Anderson’s tracks have found success on the Billboard country music charts multiple times. He is a living definition of walking art himself, in addition to him being an excellent performer. On his 2007 album Easy Money, he worked with a number of other great individuals, including John Rich of Big & Rich. He is also known to collaborate with other well-known writers to create his greatest songs.

In light of this, we have made the decision to produce a list of some of John Anderson’s songs that are well-known for you guys to scroll on. And if you haven’t heard of them yet, you might be interested in learning more about them.

1. Swingin’

The song “Swingin’,” which spent one week at the top of the Hot Country Songs charts, was the second of John Anderson‘s five number-one songs. It also won a Single of the Year award from the Country Music Association and a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

2. Money in The Bank

Writers Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, and Mark D. Sanders helped create the backbone of the song. “Money in The Bank” served as the album’s lead single when it was released in April 1993. Jim Shea was the director of the music video, which debuted in 1993.

3. Straight Tequila Night

“Straight Tequila Night” is a mid-tempo song in which the narrator is a person giving advice to a man at a pub about a regular female customer who is seated by herself at a table. Except for “straight tequila,” which will have the effect of making the woman think about her ex-lover and make her upset and agitated, it is implied or assumed that she is typically much more open and outgoing when any other type of alcohol is consumed.

4. Black Sheep 

Danny Darst and Robert Altman wrote the song, which John Anderson recorded. As the lead single from the album All the People Are Talkin’, it was made available in September 1983. The song became Anderson’s third country chart-topper. “Black Sheep” lasted a total of 14 weeks inside the top 40, peaking at number one for one week.

5. Wild and Blue

The song was penned by John Scott Sherrill. “Wild and Blue” served as the album’s first single and title tune when it was released in September 1982. The song was Anderson’s eleventh hit on the country charts and the first of his five number-one singles. Wild and Blue lasted a total of eleven weeks in the top 40, peaking at number one for two weeks. And for a fun fact, Donna Kay Anderson, John’s sister, sings in the background.

6. Seminole Wind

Both renowned folk musicians James Taylor and Donna the Buffalo covered “Seminole Wind” in 1998 and 2008, respectively. On 2022, Luke Combs also made a cover of the song in his tribute album for John Anderson called Something Borrowed, Something New.

7. Would You Catch a Falling Star

The song revolves around the storyline of a former celebrity whose fan base is dwindling and is used to poke fun at the drawbacks of fame and glory.

8. I Just Came Home to Count the Memories

Glenn Ray is the author of the song. The song has peaked in three different versions. Bobby Wright issued the first on ABC Records in 1975. The 1977 rendition by Cal Smith peaked at number 15 on the same list. The version by John Anderson that peaked at number seven on the country charts in early 1982 was released in late 1981 and had the highest charting performance. The song was recorded by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings on the tribute album Something Borrowed, Something New of John Anderson, released in 2022.

9. Let Go of the Stone

Max D. Barnes and Max T. Barnes composed the song. It is the sixth single from John Anderson’s album Seminole Wind, and it was made available in November 1992. In 1993, the song peaked at number 7 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks list.

10. She Sure Got Away with My Heart

Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield wrote the song. It was made available as the follow-up single to the album Eye of a Hurricane in August 1984. On the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, the song peaked at number three.

11. I’ve Got It Made

Max D. Barnes composed the song. It was made available as the third single from his album Solid Ground in November 1993. On the Canadian RPM Country Tracks list, the song peaked at number 19, while it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

12. Bend it Until It Breaks

For a change, on this song, John Anderson co-wrote and recorded the song himself. It was made available as the follow-up single to his album Country ’til I Die in November 1994. The song peaked at position three on the U.S. Number 28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks list and the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for country music. Together with Lionel Delmore, Anderson penned the song. It is Anderson’s last Top 10 success to date.

13. When It Comes to You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4qbgKJujOs

The song is about a failing marriage, as seen through the eyes of the husband, who thinks that his wife criticizes him for everything he does and wishes the marriage would end rather than continue to feel hopeless. Anderson’s rendition’s music video was made under the direction of Steve Boyle.

14. I Wish I Could Have Been There

The song is the fourth and last single from his album Solid Ground, released in April 1994. In the United States, it peaked at number 4, and in Canada, at number 21. Anderson and Kent Robbins co-wrote this song. The song is about the regret of not being able to be with family more frequently for various reasons.

15. I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)

Billy Joe Shaver wrote the lyrics for the song, which he also first recorded. John Anderson made the song available in March 1981 as the lead single from his album John Anderson 2. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

John Anderson became one of the most recognizable performers in country music history. Throughout his career, he has opened up a whole new realm for the country music genre. And now for more of them.

Here are some more worthy-to-be-known John Anderson songs. 

  • Nashville Tears
  • Honky Tonk Crowd
  • Chicken Truck
  • Haunted House
  • Red Georgia Clay
  • I Fell in The Water
  • Tuesday I’ll Be Gone
  • Down in Tennessee
  • Mississippi Moon
  • When It Comes to You
  • 1959
  • Years

Now, if you’re short on ideas on what music to listen to today, any of the John Anderson songs on the list above is a sure bet, and you won’t regret it.

Latest Stories

George Strait and Chris Stapleton announce their 2025 stadium tour, bringing country music fans an unforgettable live experience with special guests Parker McCollum and Little Big Town.

George Strait and Chris Stapleton Announce 2025 Stadium Tour

Country music fans, get ready—George Strait and Chris Stapleton are hitting the road again for another epic stadium tour. After a wildly successful run in 2023, the two country powerhouses ...

Chris Stapleton announces his retirement from singing the national anthem after his iconic 2023 Super Bowl performance, a moment destined to stand the test of time.

Chris Stapleton Is Officially Retired From Singing the National Anthem

Chris Stapleton’s unforgettable 2023 Super Bowl performance of The Star-Spangled Banner remains one of the greatest renditions in history. But if you hope to hear him take on the anthem ...

Chris Stapleton delivering a soulful national anthem at Super Bowl LVII, moving players and coaches to tears in a performance hailed as one of the best ever.

Remember When Chris Stapleton’s Super Bowl National Anthem Brought Everyone to Tears?

Few performances in Super Bowl history have left as lasting an impression as Chris Stapleton’s rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LVII in 2023. The country and blues ...

Jon Batiste performs a jazz-infused rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, honoring his Louisiana roots.

Jon Batiste Delivers Unique Super Bowl National Anthem Performance

Jon Batiste delivered a uniquely soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LIX, infusing the national anthem with the unmistakable spirit of his Louisiana roots. The seven-time Grammy ...

2025 CMT Music Awards Cancelled

Why Were the 2025 CMT Music Awards Canceled? The Truth Revealed

Country music fans will have to mark a different night on their calendars this year. The 2025 CMT Music Awards have been officially canceled, leaving many wondering what led to ...

Darius Rucker announces he's now living in London, sparking curiosity among fans about whether the move is permanent and the reasons behind his life change.

Darius Rucker Reveals He’s No Longer Living in the U.S.

Darius Rucker and the American South go hand in hand. Whether it’s Hootie & The Blowfish’s “Cracked Rear View” playing at a summer cookout or “Wagon Wheel” blasting from the ...

Country singer Andrew Millsaps shares how his fiancée ended their engagement via text before a show, inspiring him to channel the heartbreak into new music.

Country Singer Andrew Millsaps Got Dumped in the Worst Way Possible—Right Before a Show

Breakups are never easy, but some are downright brutal. For country singer Andrew Millsaps, the heartbreak hit at the worst possible time—while he was on stage. The Neon Union vocalist ...

Rascal Flatts and the Jonas Brothers collaborate on 'I Dare You,' a powerful heartbreak anthem, ahead of Rascal Flatts' 25th Anniversary Life Is a Highway Tour.

Rascal Flatts and Jonas Brothers Collaborate on New Song “I Dare You”

Rascal Flatts may have built their legacy on heartfelt country anthems. Still, their latest collaboration proves they’re not afraid to shake things up. The iconic trio has teamed up with ...

Cody Johnson opens up about learning to be romantic with his wife, Brandi, after 15 years of marriage, emphasizing the importance of simple gestures.

Cody Johnson Shares How He Learned to Be Romantic With His Wife Brandi

Cody Johnson might be a country music powerhouse, but he’s just a husband trying to get it right at home. Married to his wife, Brandi, since 2008, Johnson has spent ...

Luke Bryan Says Beyonce Is The Greatest Singer Of All Time

Luke Bryan Just Called Beyoncé “The Greatest Singer of Our Lifetime”

Luke Bryan poured gasoline on an already blazing fire by calling Beyoncé “the greatest singer in our lifetime.” As Cowboy Carter continues to divide country music fans, Bryan’s comments feel ...