In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a sort of renaissance happened in country music. Tons of songs from that era blended together pop elements with not-so-traditional country sounds, and some of those country hits even ended up on pop radio. Let’s look at just a few examples of country songs that made it to pop radio in the 2000s! Get ready for a solid dose of nostalgia.
1. “She’s Everything” by Brad Paisley
Remember this Brad Paisley hit from 2006? “She’s Everything” was a standout single from Time Well Wasted that Paisley dedicated to his wife. Tons of fans loved it, including those who weren’t necessarily big country fans. “She’s Everything” was an enormous hit and made it to no. 1 on the Billboard Country charts that year. It even showed up on pop radio stations on occasion.
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2. “Mississippi Girl” by Faith Hill
Faith Hill was the OG of country-pop tunes, and “Mississippi Girl” is one of her most famous country songs to make it to pop radio in the 2000s. Released in 2005 from her hit album Fireflies, “Mississippi Girl” made it to no. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and even made it to no. 29 on the Billboard Pop 100 before the chart was discontinued in 2009.
3. “Party For Two” by Shania Twain
Faith Hill might be the OG of country-pop, but Shania Twain is the certified queen of the genre and an OG as well. “Party For Two” is just one crossover hit that did well in the early aughts, and we can thank Billy Currington for making the Greatest Hits song even better. “Party For Two” has been remixed quite a bit through the years, with one notable pop remix released by Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath.
4. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was writing country songs before she ever ended up on pop radio. “Love Story” is probably her most famous example of a crossover hit. Released in 2009, this song was the lead single from her megahit album Fearless. It’s a Shakespearean tune with both country and pop elements that made fans out of virtually everyone back in the day.
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