Exploring Jason Aldean's Musical Journey: From Songwriting To Stardom

Scroll through the track list of Jason Aldean's latest double album Macon, Georgia, and you won't find any songwriting credits from the Georgia native. In fact, the last time Aldean's name was listed as a songwriter was on his 2009 album Wide Open on a song called "Keep the Girl." And there’s a reason for that: He’s extremely tough on himself. Aldean admits, "My problem was always and still is — it’s not that I don’t write or can’t write; I’m just my own worst critic," he tells Apple Music.

Despite the fact that the "Trouble with a Heartbreak" singer hasn’t released one of his own songs in over a decade, he has penned a number of records throughout his impressive career. Songwriting is what initially led this country veteran to Nashville, where he began his journey in music. "I moved here and started writing for Warner Brothers, Warner Chappell. And that’s how I got to town," he reveals. His dedication to writing every day helped shape his career.

Jason Aldean's self-titled debut album featured three songs that he co-wrote: "Even If I Wanted To," "You’re the Love I Wanna Be In," and "She Loved Me." Despite not writing most of the songs he records, Aldean has a remarkable talent for selecting hits. Out of the 38 singles he has released, 24 have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, showcasing his keen ear for great music. He likens this skill to that of George Strait, who inspired him from an early age. Aldean points out, "George Strait’s made a career on not writing anything; he’s just really good at finding songs." His latest collection of hand-picked songs appears on the recently released Georgia album, the second part of his double album Macon, Georgia,, which features notable songwriters and live recordings of his biggest hits.

The best Jason Aldean songs are spread out among his 11 studio albums. His journey in music is a testament to his ability to connect with audiences, and his recent work continues to demonstrate his talent. Taste of Country asked readers for their input and did a deep dive into Aldean's full catalog of songs to identify those worthy of a top songs list, including both singles and deep cuts. Spoiler alert: Some radio singles are missing, and several album tracks rank inside the Top 20. Sales and chart success have helped round out the Top 50. Do you agree with No. 1?