The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 6: #100-81

The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 6: #100-81

#100
“Restless”
Alison Krauss & Union Station
2004
Peak: #36

A shimmering moment of infatuation chased with unease. Krauss is entangled in thoughts of her beloved but at a distance, and temptation lurks for both of them. – Dan Milliken

#99
I’m Holdin’ On to Love (To Save My Life)
Shania Twain
2000
Peak: #4

A terribly catchy slice of country-pop that, true to Twain, doesn’t sacrifice authenticity for appeal – Twain simply embodies the snappy energy that pulses through the song. – Tara Seetharam

#98
“The Back of Your Hand”
Dwight Yoakam
2003
Peak: #52

All allegory and metaphor, with the stark choice between together and alone wrapped up in a pretty verbal package: “Pick a number from one to two.” – Kevin Coyne

#97
“I Would Cry”
Amy Dalley
2005
Peak: #29

Dalley can’t be bothered with the emotional histrionics. Her response to being cheated on is resigned and matter-of-fact: “You made a choice and now there’s no way to ever make it right.” – KC

#96
“When I Get Where I’m Going”
Brad Paisley with Dolly Parton
2005
Peak: #1

Paisley delivers a stirring look at the splendor in life after death, but it’s Parton who takes the song to new heights with her exquisite soprano and gorgeous harmonies. – TS

#95
“I’m Tryin’”
Trace Adkins
2001
Peak: #6

It’s been a long time since country music has truly been the voice of the working man. Just like the working class has become invisible on the national stage, so too have they disappeared from country radio in anything but caricature form. But this Adkins single is a glowing exception, akin to what Merle Haggard might sing if he was starting out in today’s world of child support payments and dead-end jobs. Adkins is good, but “I’m Tryin’” hints at his potential greatness too often untapped. – KC

#94
“Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde”
Travis Tritt
2002
Peak: #8

Here is another fun story song, though the prominent Dobro throughout is even more captivating than the outlaw story itself. – Leeann Ward

#93
“Busted”
Patty Loveless
2009
Peak: Did not chart

Patty Loveless restores the original lyrics to Harlan Howard’s “Busted”, which reflects the hardships of a downtrodden coalminer. Behind a lively performance is a serious topic for these times. – LW

#92
“As Good As I Once Was”
Toby Keith
2005
Peak: #1

An aging tough guy that still has a good fight and a good night’s loving to offer. This is Keith at his self-deprecating best. – KC

#91
“Arlington”
Trace Adkins
2005
Peak: #16

This is a gorgeous, heartfelt tribute to the fallen veterans. Adkins gives the song the reverence to which it is entitled. – LW

#90
“I’ll Stand By You”
Carrie Underwood
2007
Peak: #41

It’s certainly innovative to scrub The Pretenders’ 90s anthem of all its rock coating and reveal it as a bare-bones, folky country ballad. But innovation alone does not a masterful cover make: it’s Underwood’s raw, understated yet urgent vocal performance that makes this rendition as compelling as – if not more so than – the original. – TS

#89
“Beautiful Mess”
Diamond Rio
2002
Peak: #1

“Beautiful Mess” perfectly encapsulates the euphoric “mess” of a new relationship. – LW

#88
“Just A Dream”
Carrie Underwood
2008
Peak: #1

Grief’s great cruelty is that it allows you a moment to forget your loss. Then the pain comes flooding back in. Underwood alternates between denying reality and bargaining with it, but is still left alone and forsaken. No wonder she sings the fire out of it. – KC

#87
“The Hard Way”
Pam Tillis
2007
Peak: Did not chart

The fact that this sublime, understated song didn’t even have a chance on radio in the latter half of the 2000s doesn’t make “The Hard Way” any less worthy of  positive attention. – LW

#86
“You’ll Be There”
George Stait
2005
Peak: #4

The best line of 2005 that was heard on country radio: “You don’t take nothing with you here and you can’t take nothing back. I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.” – KC

#85
“Every Mile a Memory”
Dierks Bentley
2006
Peak: #1

You can’t outrun an unresolved past, even when you’ve got a fast tour bus and a band of brothers to get trashed with and stuff. – DM

#84
“Nothing On But the Radio”
Gary Allan
2004
Peak: #1

Allan is charmingly seductive on this number, suggesting a romantic evening that involves just what the song’s title spells out. – TS

#83
“When You Come Back Down”
Nickel Creek
2001
Peak: #48

“When You Come Back Down” is a gorgeous pledge  of unconditional love: “When you’re soarin’ through the air/I’ll be your solid ground/Take every chance you dare/I’ll still be there/When you come back down.” – LW

#82
“Earthbound”
Rodney Crowell
2003
Peak: #60

The phenomenal thing about Rodney Crowell’s work in the last decade is his ability to  say something meaningful with the support of strong melodies that actually help us remember what he has to say. “Earthbound” is bouncy and positive, but still slips in a few thoughtful tidbits to make the song more substantive at its core. – LW

#81
“Our Song”
Taylor Swift
2007
Peak: #1

It’s hard to believe this bright, cleverly-written song was the brainchild of a fifteen year-old. Swift blends the kind of ingenuity you’d expect from a seasoned songwriter with all the radiance you’d expect from a puppy-love-drunk teenager. – TS

- – -

• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 1: #201-#181
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 2: #180-#161
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 3: #160-#141
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 4: #140-#121
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 5: #121-#101
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 6: #100-#81
  
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 7: #80-#61
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 8: #60-#41
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Part 9: #40-#21
• The 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade, Conclusion: #20-#1