Unveiling The Heart Of Country Music: The Top 21 Songs Of 2021

The degree to which the top country songs of the year were born from the events and hardships behind us has never been as evident as it is with the Top 21 Country Songs of 2021. In a year defined by challenges and uncertainties, country music emerged as a solace, a medium for expression, and a way to connect with shared experiences. Artists have crafted tunes that not only resonate with the struggles many faced but also provide a sense of relief and comfort.

No, hit songs like "Country Again" by Thomas Rhett, "The Good Ones" by Gabby Barrett, and "Buy Dirt" by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan do not mirror a year of anxious isolation and continued social unrest. Music — now more than ever — is a release or a break from real life, and thus we get songs that make people feel complete. "Where I Find God" by Larry Fleet (No. 10 below) is a great example. Sure, it's a tremendous vocal performance, but for many, finding God at every possible moment has delayed an emotional breakdown.

There is some sadness on this list. Country music is, after all, the genre for heartbreak and storytelling, so artists including Garth Brooks (No. 16), Chris Bandi (No. 14), and Lainey Wilson (No. 5) stand tall among their peers to make the Top 21 of '21. Several of the Top 10 songs rely on a return to a person you once were, or some good advice to get you there. Listen closely to Davis, Cody Johnson, and Luke Combs. Heck, even "Fancy Like" by Walker Hayes (No. 2) celebrates a less glamorous lifestyle that's all too familiar to the country fan.