Brad Paisley has long been one of the most talented artists in country music. With guitar work on par with John Mayer and songwriting that will simultaneously make you laugh and cry, the Whiskey Lullaby singer has cemented himself as a cornerstone of country music history.
With 19 #1 hits, nine #1 albums and over two dozen RIAA certifications, Paisley has a long history of success in the genre over the past three decades.
Here are the top 10 singles from Paisley throughout his career.
10. Remind Me (Duet with Carrie Underwood)
Starting off the list is none other than Paisley and Underwood’s second collaboration, Remind Me. The track is often overlooked in terms of country duets, and I’d go as far as to say that it is one of the best duets in the entire genre.
I really appreciate the subtle longing that is present throughout the track. Written by Paisley and long-time collaborators, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, the song takes a more subtle approach to an oftentimes tired love song format. Instead of using flowery language to describe the love the pair have for each other, the 2x platinum hit feels more reminiscent and realistic in nature.
Paisley and Underwood’s voices pair incredibly well together and trade off passionate lines effortlessly. Like any Brad Paisley song, Remind Me also has the perfect amount of his trademark guitarwork which sounds great without overpowering the song.
9. Mud on the Tires
Is Mud on the Tires breaking any ground in terms of lyricism and overall sound? No. Does that mean that it is not an infectious track? Absolutely not.
Mud on the Tires is one of those songs that feel timeless. Released in 2003, it doesn’t adhere to poppy production that was creeping into the genre. It genuinely sounds like it could have been released at any time in country history, and it would still hold up.
It’s simply a breezy track. The slow buildup in the verse crescendo beautifully in one of the most infectious choruses in Paisley’s discography. The choruses lead into some of the most pleasant solos from Paisley as well. The outro, in particular, is one of my personal favorite arrangements from Paisley ever.
Also, the euphemism “Let’s get some mud on the tires” is so unabashedly country, I can’t help but love it.
8. She’s Everything
Paisley songs, with many exceptions of course, usually fall into two categories: dumb fun and heartfelt ballads. She’s Everything is one of the best examples of his heartfelt ballads.
Is it a bit sappy? Sure. With that being said, it feels genuine. Paisley has always presented himself as a quirky, heartfelt guy, and it shows here. He packs the song with a plethora of concrete imagery to describe everything (no pun intended) about his wife, Kimberly, and it results in a track that feels like a simple love letter to her.
7. I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)
As I said in my Luke Combs song ranking, we need more dumb, fun country songs in the mainstream. Though it’s always compelling to listen to the Zach Bryans and Jason Isbells of the world lament about their struggles, there’s always a need for some dumb (yet still well-crafted) songs to provide some levity.
I’m Gonna Miss Her is a shining example of this. Paisley begins the song with a stereotypical sad country song intro and verse before diving into an undoubtedly ridiculous chorus about choosing fishing over his woman.
The song plays into so many country stereotypes and ultimately wears it on its sleeve. It’s not trying to be smarter than it seems or some meta-commentary on country; it’s just pure fun.
6. Where I Get Where I’m Going (feat. Dolly Parton)
Paisley is no stranger to religious songs, covering classic hymns such as In the Garden and The Old Rugged Cross in his first two albums. When I Get Where I’m Going, however, is his first dive into an original religious track.
Though the song isn’t for everyone due to its subject matter, I’ve always found it to be one of the most beautiful songs in Paisley’s discography. I particularly like his depiction of Heaven throughout the song. It’s such a beautiful, hopeful song that I can’t help but find myself a bit misty-eyed from time to time while listening.
Dolly Parton is not featured heavily here, only harmonizing with Paisley in the chorus. With that being said, her inclusion is still fantastic.
5. We Danced
We Danced is easily one of Paisley’s most traditional country songs. The piano and steel guitar in the intro set the stage beautifully for this timeless track.
I’m a sucker for an evolving chorus in a country song, and We Danced does it perfectly. While the lyrics in the chorus themselves don’t change, the verses reframe them every time. This results in yet another beautiful track penned by Paisley and DuBois.
4. Waitin’ On a Woman
I’ve heard this song be criticized for playing into the trope of women taking too long to make decisions from a male’s perspective, but I’ve never subscribed to that notion.
If you actually listen to what Paisley is saying in Waitin’ On a Woman, he’s ultimately subverting that mindset. While, of course, he acknowledges it and jokes about it in the bridge, it’s clear that the song is primarily about growing to love and understand the differences between himself and his wife.
Waiting On a Woman is another one of those uniquely Brad Paisley ballads that I can’t help but love.
3. Then
Out of all of the beautiful ballads in Paisley’s discography, Then has always stuck out to me as the best of the bunch.
Though I find nearly every one of his songs compelling from a musical standpoint, Then is easily the most interesting ballad of his musically. The switch from the piano-heavy intro and verse to the fully realized chorus is simply gorgeous.
I particularly like the way Paisley sings, “Like a river meets the sea / Stronger than it’s ever been / We’ve come so far since that day / And I thought I loved you then” which is accompanied by the beautiful change from a G major to a G# diminished chord on “Stronger than it’s ever been.”
The mix between the piano elements and the eventual guitar soloing in the outro makes the song one of the best Paisley has to offer from a dynamics standpoint.
2. Letter to Me
Letter to Me was one of the first Paisley songs I ever heard, and it has remained my personal favorite to this day.
The song ultimately serves as the perfect song to self-reflect to at any crossroads of your life. Whether it’s a high school senior making their way to college, a college graduate stepping into the “real world” or a young love/painful heartbreak, the song is the perfect reminder that the past is the past.
It’s a wildly encouraging track that reminds you that everything that has happened, the good, the bad and the in-between, ultimately led you to exactly where you are today. It feels like Paisley is a close friend consoling you through hard times, not a run-of-the-mill country song; there’s something special to be said about that
For my full thoughts and reflection on the song, read here.
1. Whiskey Lullaby (feat. Allison Krauss)
Though Letter to Me is my personal favorite song from Paisley, there’s no denying that Whiskey Lullaby is the best song from the West Virginian singer/songwriter. I’d even go as far as to say it’s one of the best country songs ever written.
There’s not much to say about the song that hasn’t already been about the classic track; it’s simply that incredible.
Whiskey Lullaby ultimately feels like a country retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet ending. It’s sad, it’s poetic, and it’s haunting. The post-chorus harmonizing between Paisley and Krauss will always give me goosebumps.
Honorable Mentions: Alcohol, He Didn’t Have to Be, Little Moments, Old Alabama