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

Top 10 Uncle Kracker Songs That Should Be On Your Playlist

10 Top Uncle Kracker 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.

Uncle Kracker songs are some of the best songs of all time!

Uncle Kracker – whose real name is Matthew Shafer – first rose to fame as a vocalist and DJ in Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band. 

But in 2001, he started making a name for himself when he stepped out from behind the turntables to release his solo debut album, Double Wide – which eventually reached double-platinum status. Uncle Kracker then spent the next couple of years releasing more albums and charting in almost all genres.

Let’s take a look back at some of his best songs through the years.

1. “Follow Me”

From: Double Wide (2001)

“Follow Me” is Uncle Kracker’s debut single off his 2001 album, Double Wide. Uncle Kracker wrote it with his musical partner Michael Bradford whom he met when they were still in Kid Rock’s touring band.

Kracker said the song has several meanings, and fans speculated that it could be about drugs or a man having an affair with a married woman or “kinda both,” Kracker said. “That song is like a dirty picture painted with a pretty brush.”

It became a big hit worldwide, reaching No. 1 in eight countries, including Australia, Austria, and New Zealand. In the United States, it ranked No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2. “Drift Away”

From: No Stranger to Shame (2003)

Originally recorded in 1972 by actor and swamp rock singer John Henry Kurtz, “Drift Away” became Uncle Kracker’s big hit in 2003. It snagged the top spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in the United States, where it spent a record-setting of 28 weeks. It held that record for fifteen years until it was overthrown by Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You.” 

Uncle Kracker’s version features soul singer Dobie Gray, who also covered the song in 1973 and made it an international hit.

3. “Smile”

From: Happy Hour (2009)

In 2009, Uncle Kracker’s song “Smile” peaked at No. 6 on Billboard US Hot Country Songs, his first solo entry on that chart. The song also made it to various charts. In the United States, it peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Adult Top 40, No. 3 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and even No. 31 on Billboard Hot 100. 

Uncle Kracker co-wrote the song and revealed that it’s perhaps “the most positive song” he has ever written. “It’s just the feel-good song of the year. It’s so positive,” Kracker said about the song. 

4. “In a Little While”

From: No Stranger to Shame (2002)

Co-written by Uncle Kracker and Mike Bradford, “In a Little While” tells the tale of a man making a good life. However, he eventually finds out that everything is a sham, making him frustrated and puzzled.

Some fans believed that the song is aimed at Hollywood, especially that its music video definitely portrays just that. However, unlike other songs aimed at Hollywood, “In a Little While” takes a cheerfully cynical look at that life.

5. “Good to Be Me”

From: Happy Hour (2009)

“Good to Be Me” is a laid back and happy song described by Uncle Kracker as “in a nutshell, is my DNA.” 

It also features his friend Kid Rock. 

6. “When I Close My Eyes” 

From: Midnight Special (2012)

Uncle Kracker sings about his failed attempts of forgetting a lost love in “When I Close My Eyes.” 

“And every time I close my eyes, you’re dancin’ ‘neath the full moonlight. Your faded jeans across the hood. My arms wrapped ’round you tight and good,” he sings.

7. “My Hometown”

From: Postcards From Home (2011)

This upbeat, easy-cheesy country single gave about a dozen towns and big cities across America a massive shoutout!

“My Hometown” is Uncle Kracker’s ode to all the hometowns around the country. Kracker is a native of Mississippi but was raised in Harrison Township, a charter township of Macomb County in Michigan – and he’s proud of where he came from.

But while spending most of his time on the road, Kracker noticed that all the people are all in a pretty much similar situation everywhere he goes.

 “We have different accents, different industries, different weather maybe, but we’re all just trying to live our lives, pay our bills, give our kids a better life, and have some good times,” he said.

8. “Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night”

From: Midnight Special (2012)

Uncle Kracker finds himself looking on the bright side whatever life throws his way in “Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night.” And the ballad was proven to be true when one spontaneous moment was captured in the music video.

“The coolest part was while we were filming there were these two couples that came up,” Kracker recalled while filming at the Texas State Fair. “They were all dressed in cowboy hats and starched Wranglers — creased — and they just came up and started dancing out of the blue. It was awesome.”

9. “Nuthin’ Changes”

From: Midnight Special (2012)

In this song, Uncle Kracker made reference to country singer Don Williams. The singer revealed that Williams – also known as “The Gentle Giant” – is one of his all-time favorites. In fact, nearly all of Williams’ songs heavily influenced Kracker’s songs.

10. “It Is What It Is”

From: Midnight Special (2012)

“It Is What It Is” – a reminder that each person has his own story in life – serves as the closing track of Kracker’s 2012 album, Midnight Special.

The song is a duet with Sonia Leigh. After touring with Leigh for a few months, Kracker knew he needed to get the fantastic country singer-songwriter to one of his records, and this song was just the perfect one for the two talented singers.

How about you? What’s your favorite among Uncle Kracker’s songs?

Latest Stories

Top 30 Country Songs This Week

Country Top 30

Country Chart – Week of September 14, 2024 Country music fans, get ready—this week’s chart is packed with songs that hit every corner of the genre. Whether you’re into heart-wrenching ...

What You Never Knew About Annie D'Angelo and Her Life with Willie Nelson

What You Never Knew About Annie D’Angelo and Her Life with Willie Nelson

Every legend has a secret weapon, a steady hand that keeps them grounded in a constantly spinning world. For country music icon Willie Nelson, that guiding force is Annie D’Angelo. ...

A Rare Glimpse of Dolly Parton Without Her Wig

A Rare Glimpse of Dolly Parton Without Her Wig

Dolly Parton isn’t just a country music icon—she’s a cultural force. Her larger-than-life image, from glittering outfits to sky-high heels, is as legendary as her voice. But if one thing ...

How Megan Moroney Pulled Off the Perfect Prank on Kenny Chesney During Their Summer Tour

How Megan Moroney Pulled Off the Perfect Prank on Kenny Chesney During Their Summer Tour

Megan Moroney, a rising star in country music, showcased her talent and her playful side when she pulled off a memorable prank on Kenny Chesney. During the final leg of ...

Tricia Lucus Kept Toby Keith's World Together While Staying Unseen

Tricia Lucus Kept Toby Keith’s World Together While Staying Unseen

Toby Keith may have been the face of success, but behind every great artist is someone who keeps it all together. For Toby, that someone was Tricia Lucus—his wife, partner, ...

What Happened to Grace Pauline Kelley? Wynonna Judd's Daughter's Unbelievable Downfall

What Happened to Grace Pauline Kelley? Wynonna Judd’s Daughter’s Unbelievable Downfall

Grace Pauline Kelley, daughter of country music star Wynonna Judd, has lived a life filled with public scrutiny, legal struggles, and attempts at redemption. Born into a family synonymous with ...

Luke Combs Delivers a Storm of Emotion in Ain't No Love in Oklahoma

Luke Combs Delivers a Storm of Emotion in Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma

When Luke Combs delivers a song, you don’t just hear it—you feel it. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” a standout track from the 2024 Twisters soundtrack, is no exception. This ...

Chevrolet by Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll Will Make You Long for Simpler Times

Chevrolet by Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll Will Make You Long for Simpler Times

Dustin Lynch’s “Chevrolet,” featuring Jelly Roll, is more than just another song about country life—it’s a tribute to the freedom found in the open road, love, and the small, meaningful ...

Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” Is a Song That Knows What Really Matters

Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” Is a Song That Knows What Really Matters

When Cody Johnson sings “Dirt Cheap,” you feel like you’ve been handed a piece of truth we sometimes forget: not everything valuable comes with a price tag. This 2023 release ...

Beyoncé Snubbed by the CMA as Country Music Defends Its Roots

Beyoncé Snubbed by the CMA as Country Music Defends Its Roots

When the 2024 CMA Awards nominations were announced, fans of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter were shocked by its absence. But it felt like the right call for many in the country ...