The Ultimate Country Box: 120 of the Greatest Country Songs Ever

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

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1CD: Country Classics, Vol. 1
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Stand by Your Man
producer:
Billy Sherrill (US songwriter/producer/arranger)
lead vocals:
Tammy Wynette (in 1968)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time (number: 8) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 473)
recording of:
Stand by Your Man (in 1968)
writer:
Billy Sherrill (US songwriter/producer/arranger) and Tammy Wynette
publisher:
Al Gallico Music Corp., EMI Al Gallico Music Corp., EMI Blackwood Music Inc. and EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated)
Tammy Wynette42:37
2El Paso
recording of:
El Paso
lyricist and composer:
Marty Robbins
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Hill & Range Songs, Inc. (publisher), Mariposa Music Inc. (publisher), Unichappell Music, Inc. and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
Marty Robbins2:34
3Behind Closed Doors
edit of:
Behind Closed Doors (Columbia) by Charlie Rich (US country singer)
recording of:
Behind Closed Doors
lyricist and composer:
Kenny O’Dell
publisher:
House of Gold Music, Inc.
Charlie Rich2:47
4I Walk the Line
recording of:
I Walk the Line
lyricist and composer:
John R. Cash (country music legend) (in 1956)
publisher:
Aberbach (London) (publisher), Bug Music, Inc., Carlin Music Corporation, Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (publisher), Hill and Range Southwind Mus S A (BMI-affiliated) and House of Cash, Inc. (BMI-affiliated, publisher for works of Johnny Cash)
Johnny Cash2:44
5I’m Sorry
recording of:
I’m Sorry (Brenda Lee song, 1960)
writer:
Dub Albritton and Ronnie Self
publisher:
Songs of Universal (SOCAN)
Brenda Lee2:13
6From a Jack to a KingNed Miller2:10
7Rhinestone Cowboy
recording of:
Rhinestone Cowboy
lyricist and composer:
Larry Weiss (American singer-songwriter)
publisher:
House of Weiss Music Co, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996) and Warner Chappell North America
Glen Campbell3:08
8Walk On By
recording of:
Walk On By (Leroy Van Dyke song)
lyricist and composer:
Kendall Hayes (country music songwriter)
publisher:
Lowery Music Co. Inc.
Leroy Van Dyke2:17
9Tennessee Waltz
orchestra:
Jack Rael & his Orchestra (in 1950-11)
conductor:
Jack Rael (in 1950-11)
cover recording of:
Tennessee Waltz (on 1950-10-14)
lyricist:
Redd Stewart (in 1946)
composer:
Pee Wee King (in 1946)
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI), Cinephonic Music Co., Ltd. and Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (tradename of Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Patti Page3:01
10Crystal Chandeliers
recording of:
Crystal Chandeliers (1965 song)
lyricist and composer:
Ted Harris (US Rockabilly/Country artist Theodore Clifford Harris)
Charley Pride2:49
11Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to TownKenny Rogers & The First Edition22:56
12Rose Garden
cover recording of:
Rose Garden (in 1970)
lyricist and composer:
Joe South
publisher:
BMG Music Publishing Ltd. and Sony/ATV Songs LLC
version of:
’k Blijf op je wachten
Lynn Anderson4.152:57
13I Can HelpBilly Swan3:32
14These Boots Were Made for Walking
recording of:
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’
lyricist and composer:
Lee Hazlewood
publisher:
Criterion Music Corp. (in 1966)
version of:
Boots (original melody)
Lee Hazlewood2:51
15Big Bad John
recorded at:
Bradley Recording Studios (aka the "Quonset Hut") in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (on 1961-08-18)
recording of:
Big Bad John (1961 song) (on 1961-08-18)
lyricist and composer:
Jimmy Dean
writer:
Roy Acuff
Jimmy Dean43:01
16The Battle of New Orleans
cover recording of:
The Battle of New Orleans
lyricist and composer:
Jimmy Driftwood (in 1936)
publisher:
Warden Music Company Inc.
part of:
Grammy Award: Song of the Year nominees (number: 1960 winner)
is based on:
The 8th of January
Johnny Horton2:01
17WaterlooStonewall Jackson2:29
18Wasted Days and Wasted NightsFreddy Fender2:44
19Oh, Lonesome Me
recording of:
Oh Lonesome Me (on 1957-12-03)
lyricist and composer:
Don Gibson (US songwriter and country musician)
publisher:
Acuff Rose Publications Ltd., Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI), Esperanza MV Frank Oldenburg e. K., Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd. and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020)
Don Gibson42:28
20Harper Valley PTA
producer:
Shelby Singleton
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time (number: 78)
recording of:
Harper Valley PTA (on 1968-07-26)
lyricist and composer:
Tom T. Hall
publisher:
Unichappell Music, Inc.
Jeannie C. Riley3.753:18
2CD: Country Classics, Vol. 2
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Singing the Blues
recording of:
Singing the Blues
lyricist and composer:
Melvin Endsley (in 1956)
publisher:
Acuff Rose Opryland Ltd. (UK) and Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK)
Marty Robbins2:29
2Sea of Heartbreak
recording of:
Sea of Heartbreak
lyricist:
Hal David
composer:
Paul Hampton (US singer/songwriter composer and actor)
publisher:
Sonet Music AB
Don Gibson2:31
3Reuben James
recording of:
Reuben James
writer and composer:
Barry Etris and Alex Harvey (American country singer of the early 70s)
publisher:
Unart Music Corp.
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition2:46
4Single Girl
recording of:
Single Girl
lyricist and composer:
Martha Sharp
Sandy Posey2:44
5The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA
recording of:
The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA (1972 song)
lyricist and composer:
Donna Fargo
Donna Fargo2:35
6Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
recording of:
Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On
lyricist and composer:
Hank Locklin
publisher:
Four Star Sales Co.
Hank Locklin2:25
7Okie From Muskogee
recording of:
Okie From Muskogee
writer:
Roy Burris and Merle Haggard (US country singer, guitarist, fiddler & songwriter)
publisher:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Merle Haggard2:44
8Tennessee Bird Walk
recording of:
Tennessee Bird Walk
lyricist and composer:
Jack Blanchard
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan2:44
9Chug-A-Lug
recording of:
Chug-a-Lug
lyricist and composer:
Roger Miller (US singer/songwriter/actor, “King of the Road”)
Roger Miller2:01
10Always on My Mind
producer:
Chips Moman
bass:
Mike Leech (on 1981-10-11)
drums (drum set):
Gene Chrisman (on 1981-10-11)
guitar:
Johnny Christopher (Guitarist, lyricist, composer, singer, session musician) (on 1981-10-11), Willie Nelson (on 1981-10-11) and Reggie Young (guitarist and songwriter) (on 1981-10-11)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (on 1981-10-11)
keyboard:
Bobby Woods (American pianist, keyboard player and songwriter) (on 1981-10-11) and Bobby Emmons (on 1981-10-11)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1981-10-11)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1981, in 1982, in 2003) and CBS Records Inc. (for rights/distribution/manufacture use only; international subsidiary of CBS, Inc.) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Moman's Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (on 1981-10-11)
recording of:
Always on My Mind (on 1981-10-11)
writer:
Johnny Christopher (Guitarist, lyricist, composer, singer, session musician), Mark James (Francis Zambon, composer of “Suspicious Minds”) and Wayne Carson Thompson
publisher:
Bike Music, Budde Songs Inc., Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Lovolar Music, Peermusic (S.E. Asia) Ltd., Rose Bridge Music, Screen Gems, Screen Gems–EMI Music, Inc. (USA, affiliated with BMI) and Sebanine Music
sub-publisher:
Chelsea Music Publishing Co., Ltd., EMI Music Publishing (Hong Kong) Ltd. (EMI Music Publishing (Hong Kong) Limited) and Screen Gems–EMI Music Ltd.
Willie Nelson4.653:33
11He’ll Have to GoJim Reeves2:15
12Lovesick Blues
cover recording of:
Lovesick Blues
lyricist:
Irving Mills and Hank Williams (country music legend) (on 1949-11-01)
composer:
Cliff Friend (US composer, lyricist & pianist)
arranger:
Hank Williams (country music legend) (on 1949-11-01)
publisher:
EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated), Jack Mills, Inc. (on 1922-04-03) and Mills Music, Inc. (from 1930 to present)
Patsy Cline2:21
13Big Iron
producer:
Don Law
recording of:
Big Iron
lyricist and composer:
Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins4.53:57
14Crazy
cover recording of:
Crazy (Willie Nelson song)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Nelson
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Wanda Jackson2:47
15The End of the World
recording of:
The End of the World
lyricist:
Sylvia Dee (American lyricist)
composer:
Arthur Kent
publisher:
Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music) and Summit Music Corp, (ASCAP-affiliated)
sub-publisher:
ミュージック・セールス (Music Sales, Japan, subsidiary of Shinko Music Entertainment)
Skeeter Davis2:39
16It’s Only Make Believe
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1958 (recordings) (number: 18)
recording of:
It’s Only Make Believe
writer:
Jack Nance (in 1958) and Conway Twitty (in 1958)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Tree Publishing Co., Inc. and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
Conway Twitty2:29
17For the Good Times
bass guitar:
Joe Zinkan (on 1970-03-16)
bell and vibraphone:
Richard Farrell Morris (on 1970-03-16)
drums (drum set):
Willie Ackerman (US studio drummer) (on 1970-03-16)
guitar:
Grady Martin (country/rockabilly guitarist) (on 1970-03-16)
piano:
Floyd Cramer (on 1970-03-16)
steel guitar:
Harold L. "Curly" Chalker (on 1970-03-16) and James C. Day (on 1970-03-16)
vocals:
Ray Price (American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist) (on 1970-03-16)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1970)
cover recording of:
For the Good Times (on 1970-03-16)
lyricist and composer:
Kris Kristofferson
publisher:
Careers Music, Inc., Careers-BMG Music, Careers‐BMG Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing International MGB Ltd., Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd., Valentine Music Ltd. and Universal Music Careers (in 1968)
Ray Price3:49
18Help Me Make It Through the Night
Sammi Smith2:34
19Wings of a DoveFerlin Husky1:57
20L.A. International Airport
recording of:
L.A. International Airport
lyricist and composer:
Leanne Scott
Susan Raye2:43
3CD: Country Classics, Vol. 3
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Roomful of Roses
cover recording of:
Room Full of Roses
lyricist and composer:
Tim Spencer (Songwriter Vernon Harold Timothy Spencer)
Mickey Gilley2:51
2If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body
live recording of:
If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me
lyricist and composer:
David Bellamy (Bellamy Brothers)
The Bellamy Brothers4:23
3Blanket on the Ground
recording of:
Blanket on the Ground
lyricist and composer:
Roger Bowling
publisher:
ATV Music Ltd., Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
Billie Jo Spears3:23
4Gentle on My Mind
cover recording of:
Gentle on My Mind
lyricist and composer:
John Hartford
publisher:
Acuff Rose Publications Ltd. and Ensign Music Corp.
Glen Campbell2:09
5Ballad of a Teenage Queen
recording of:
Ballad of a Teenage Queen
lyricist and composer:
Jack Clement
Johnny Cash2:09
6In the Summertime
Roger Miller1:49
7Whiskey River
bass:
Bee Spears (on 1974-06-30)
drums (drum set):
Paul English (US drummer for Willie Nelson) (on 1974-06-30)
fiddle and mandolin:
Johnny Gimble (on 1974-06-30)
guitar:
Willie Nelson (on 1974-06-30)
harmonica:
Mickey Raphael (on 1974-06-30)
piano:
Bobbie Nelson (on 1974-06-30)
steel guitar:
Jimmy Day (on 1974-06-30)
vocals:
Willie Nelson (on 1974-06-30)
live cover recording of:
Whiskey River (on 1974-06-30)
writer:
J.B. Shinn III and Paul Stroud
Willie Nelson3:51
8Satin Sheets
Jeanne Pruett2:44
9D-I-V-O-R-C-E
recording of:
D-I-V-O-R-C-E (1968 song)
lyricist:
Claude “Curly” Putman, Jr.
composer:
Bobby Braddock
Tammy Wynette2:31
10Just When I Needed You Most
recording of:
Just When I Needed You Most
lyricist and composer:
Randy VanWarmer
publisher:
Fourth Floor Music Inc. (US publisher), Terraform Music (publisher), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Randy Van Warner3:35
11There Goes My Everything
recording of:
There Goes My Everything (1965 song)
lyricist and composer:
Dallas Frazier (American songwriter and musician)
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK), Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Elvis Presley Music Inc., Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1965-11-24), Blue Crest Music, Inc. (on 1965-11-24) and Husky Music (on 1965-11-24)
version of:
En gång är ingen gång
Anne Murray3:20
12Lover Please
recording of:
Lover Please
lyricist and composer:
Billy Swan
Billy Swan2:52
13Jambalaya
cover recording of:
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
lyricist and composer:
Hank Williams (country music legend)
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Music Limited (UK), Acuff-Rose-Opryland Music Limited (UK), Fred Rose Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (tradename of Sony/ATV Songs LLC) and Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1952-07-28)
George Jones1:44
14Elvira
cover recording of:
Elvira
lyricist and composer:
Dallas Frazier (American songwriter and musician)
publisher:
Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (in 1965)
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition2:38
15The Most Beautiful Girl
cover recording of:
The Most Beautiful Girl
writer:
Rory Bourke, Billy Sherrill (US songwriter/producer/arranger) and Norris “Norro” Wilson
publisher:
Al Gallico Music Corp., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Gallico Music Ltd.
version of:
Hey Mister
Charlie Rich2:52
16Blue Blue Day
recording of:
Blue Blue Day (1958 country song)
lyricist and composer:
Don Gibson (US songwriter and country musician)
Don Gibson1:49
17Rain
engineer:
Chip Young (American session guitarist, bassist, producer in the genre of country)
producer:
Fred Foster
background vocals:
Larry Gatlin
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1974)
recorded at:
Youngun Sound Studio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
cover recording of:
Rain
lyricist and composer:
Larry Gatlin
recording of:
Rain
lyricist and composer:
Larry Gatlin
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge43:43
18Delta Dawn
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time (number: 68)
recording of:
Delta Dawn
writer:
Larry Collins and Alex Harvey (American country singer of the early 70s)
publisher:
Big Ax Music, EMI April Music Inc., EMI Catalogue, EMI U Catalog Inc. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), イーエムアイ音楽出版 ソニー事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan Ltd., Sony Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
Tanya Tucker4:14
19Crying
cover recording of:
Crying
lyricist:
Joe Melson (in 1961) and Roy Orbison (in 1961)
composer:
Joe Melson and Roy Orbison
publisher:
Acuff Rose Music Ltd. (UK), Acuff Rose Music, Inc. (not for publishing), Barbara Orbison Music Company, Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), MCA Music (not for release label use! this is a music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated), Orbi-Lee Music, R-Key Darkus Music, Rondor Music, Rondor Music (Australia) P/L, Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd and Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1961-08-16)
part of:
50/50
Waylon Jennings2:29
20Yakkety Sax
recording of:
Yakety Sax
composer:
Boots Randolph and James Rich (Country songwriter / guitarist)
Boots Randolph2:35
4CD: One for the Road: Truckin’ Songs
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1King of the Road
recording of:
King of the Road
lyricist:
Roger Miller (US singer/songwriter/actor, “King of the Road”)
composer:
Roger Miller (US singer/songwriter/actor, “King of the Road”) (in 1964)
publisher:
Burlington Music Co., Ltd.
Roger Miller2:28
2Lonesome Number One
recording of:
Lonesome Number One
lyricist and composer:
Don Gibson (US songwriter and country musician)
Don Gibson2:14
3Abilene
recording of:
Abilene
writer:
Lester Brown, Bob Gibson (folk singer), John D. Loudermilk and Albert Stanton (pseudonym for Al Brackman)
George Hamilton IV2:20
4Six Days on the RoadDave Dudley4.52:10
5Sixteen Tons
Merle Travis3:19
6It’s Four in the Morning
recording of:
It’s Four in the Morning (1971 song)
lyricist and composer:
Jerry Chesnut
Faron Young2:53
7Take This Job and Shove It
recording of:
Take this Job and Shove it
lyricist and composer:
David Allan Coe
publisher:
Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Johnny Paycheck2:43
8Coal Miner’s Daughter
recording of:
Coal Miner’s Daughter
lyricist and composer:
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn3:14
9Green Green Grass of Home
live cover recording of:
Green, Green Grass of Home (in 1981)
lyricist and composer:
Claude “Curly” Putman, Jr.
publisher:
Burlington Music Ltd. and Tree Music
translated version of:
Ik ben weer in m’n dorpje
Tom Jones2:25
10Wolverton MountainClaude King2:52
11Engine Engine No. 9
recording of:
Engine Engine #9
lyricist and composer:
Roger Miller (US singer/songwriter/actor, “King of the Road”)
Roger Miller2:16
12I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
recording of:
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
lyricist and composer:
Hank Williams (country music legend)
publisher:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Germany) GmbH (2002–today), Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc. (BMI) (on 1949-10-31) and Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (tradename of Sony/ATV Songs LLC) (from 2002 to present)
B.J. Thomas3:09
13All for the Love of a Girl
recording of:
All for the Love of a Girl (on 1953-04-29)
lyricist and composer:
Johnny Horton
publisher:
Universal–Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.
Johnny Horton2:32
14Truck Drivin’ Man
Red Steagall2:42
15Please Help Me I’m FallingHank Locklin2:14
16Truck Drivin’ OutlawDennis Olson2:11
17The Bridge Washed Out
recording of:
The Bridge Washed Out
lyricist and composer:
Jimmy Louis, Mart Melshee and Sandra Smith (US songwriter)
Warner Mack2:17
18A-11
cover recording of:
A-11
lyricist and composer:
Hank Cochran (Nashville singer and songwriter)
publisher:
Tree Publishing Co., Inc.
Johnny Paycheck2:18
19Gotta Travel On
Al Hirt & Ace Cannon2:34
20South of the Border Down Mexico Way
recording of:
South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)
writer:
Michael Carr (songwriter) and Jimmy Kennedy (Irish songwriter)
publisher:
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. and Peter Maurice Music Co. Ltd. (on 1939-03-30)
Gene Autry2:41
5CD: The Best of Country Gospel
6CD: Wild Wild West