Luke Bryan‘s Crash My Playa just wrapped up its 10th year of a full-on concert party in Mexico, and there were a lot of highlights.
One that sticks out happened during Jason Aldean‘s performance.
Aldean was singing his hit song “When She Says Baby,” when he looked to his left and saw his cigar-smoking buddy Bryan in his street clothes, singing along.
Aldean gave a nod for Bryan to come out and join him in a duet, but Bryan took it one step further.
The Crash host commandeered the microphone from Aldean and briefly stole the show. Aldean had a smile on his face while staring into the crowd, as if he was shocked and puzzled as to why he’d given up his mic.
Aldean took back over, playfully grabbing Bryan in a big brother-type headlock to bring him back over to the microphone. Then, they started to sing together — and the crowd went wild!
We are talking about two superstars who have almost 60 No. 1 songs between them — it’s not often you get two artists of that caliber together on one stage.
34 Pictures of Luke Bryan Young
Luke Bryan has been a force in country music pretty much since he arrived in Nashville in 2005. “All My Friends Say” started the fire for him as a solo artist — and the rest is history. Let’s take a walk through time with 34 pictures of Luke Bryan young.
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
Luke Bryan Performing at Halftime Carolina Panthers v Dallas Cowboys, 2015
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Luke Bryan Performing at Halftime Carolina Panthers v Dallas Cowboys, 2015
Luke Bryan performs during halftime of the Thanksgiving Day game between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
Luke Bryan In Concert – Brooklyn, NY, 2014
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Luke Bryan In Concert – Brooklyn, NY, 2014
Luke Bryan performs on stage as part of his “That’s My Kind of Night Tour” at Barclays Center on September 14, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
Luke Bryan & Caroline Bryan, Billboard Music Awards, 2014
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Caroline Bryan, Billboard Music Awards, 2014
Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer attend the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan, 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2013
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2013
Host Luke Bryan, winner of Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know,” poses in the press room during the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan & Stevie Wonder, 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2013
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Stevie Wonder, 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2013
Stevie Wonder and Luke Bryan perform onstage during the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan Performs at the NASCAR GEICO 400, 2012
Geoff Burke/Getty Images
Luke Bryan Performs at the NASCAR GEICO 400, 2012
Country music singer Luke Bryan performs the National Anthem during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 16, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois.
Luke Bryan & Justin Bieber, The 40th American Music Awards, 2012
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Justin Bieber, The 40th American Music Awards, 2012
Justin Bieber accepts the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album from presenter Luke Bryan onstage during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Luke Bryan at the American Country Awards, 2012
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Luke Bryan at the American Country Awards, 2012
Luke Bryan poses in the press room with multiple awards during the 2012 American Country Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 10, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan at the 2nd Annual Academy Of Country Music – USO Concert, 2011
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Luke Bryan at the 2nd Annual Academy Of Country Music – USO Concert, 2011
Luke Bryan performs at the 2nd Annual Academy of Country Music USO Concert at Nellis Air Force Base on April 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan, CMT Music Awards, 2011
Beth Gwinn/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, CMT Music Awards, 2011
Luke Bryan attends the 2011 CMT Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on June 8, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, PEOPLE Country Invites You To Celebrate Nashville In Vegas, 2011
Angela Weiss/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, PEOPLE Country Invites You To Celebrate Nashville In Vegas, 2011
Luke Bryan attends a celebration of Nashville in Vegas with PEOPLE Country at The Bank Nightclub at the Bellagio on April 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan and actress Jennette McCurdy, American Country Awards, 2010
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Luke Bryan and actress Jennette McCurdy, American Country Awards, 2010
Luke Bryan and actress Jennette McCurdy arrive at the American Country Awards 2010 held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan & Son, 2010
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Son, 2010
Luke Bryan and his son backstage at Dierk Bentley’s 5th Annual Miles & Music For Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and benefit concert at Riverfront Park on October 17, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley & Mike Dugan, 2010
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley & Mike Dugan, 2010
Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum – Winner 5 ACM’s) Mike Dugan (President/CEO Capitol Records Nashville) and Luke Bryan (ACM Winner Best new Artist) attend Capitol Records Nashville ACM After party at The MGM Grand Pool, April 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean, American Country Awards, 2010
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean, American Country Awards, 2010
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan perform onstage during the American Country Awards 2010 held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan & Dierks Bentley, 44th Annual CMA Awards, 2010
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Dierks Bentley, 44th Annual CMA Awards, 2010
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley attend the Capitol Records Party following the 44th Annual CMA Awards at Sambuca on November 10, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee
Luke Bryan & Caroline Bryan, Country Strong Premiere, 2010
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Caroline Bryan, Country Strong Premiere, 2010
Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer attend the “Country Strong” Premiere at Regal Green Hills on November 8, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke & Caroline Bryan, The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, 2009
Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Luke & Caroline Bryan, The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, 2009
Luke Bryan & Caroline Bryan attend the 43rd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 11, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan & Rodney Atkins, 5th Annual Stars For Second Harvest Concert, 2009
Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Luke Bryan & Rodney Atkins, 5th Annual Stars For Second Harvest Concert, 2009
Luke Bryan and Rodney Atkins backstage during the 5th annual Stars For Second Harvest concert at the Ryman Auditorium on September 29, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke & Caroline Bryan, 2009 CMT Music Awards, 2009
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Luke & Caroline Bryan, 2009 CMT Music Awards, 2009
Luke Bryan and wife Caroline Bryan (L) attend the 2009 CMT Music Awards at the Sommet Center on June 16, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, ACM New Artists Party For A Cause, 2008
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, ACM New Artists Party For A Cause, 2008
Luke Bryan during the Academy of Country Music New Artists’ Party for a Cause show at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on May 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke & Caroline Bryan, The 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2008
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Luke & Caroline Bryan, The 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards, 2008
Luke Bryan and wife Caroline Bryan arrive at the 43rd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan, 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam, 2008
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam, 2008
Luke Bryan performs during the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino May 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan, ACM New Artists Party For A Cause, 2008
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, ACM New Artists Party For A Cause, 2008
Luke Bryan performs during the Academy of Country Music New Artists’ Party for a Cause show at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino May 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luke Bryan and bandmate, Stagecoach Californias Country Music Festival, 2008
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Luke Bryan and bandmate, Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival, 2008
Luke Bryan and his band perform onstage during day 2 of the 2008 Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on May 3, 2008 in Indio, California.
Luke Bryan, CMT Music Awards, 2007
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, CMT Music Awards, 2007
Luke Bryan arrives at the 2007 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University April 16, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, 41st Annual CMA Awards, 2007
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, 41st Annual CMA Awards, 2007
Luke Bryan arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, The 40th Annual CMA Awards, 2006
Scott Gries/Getty Images
Luke Bryan, The 40th Annual CMA Awards, 2006
Luke Bryan attends the 40th Annual CMA Awards at the Gaylord Entertainment Center November 6, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Luke Bryan, High School, c. Mid 90s
Luke Bryan, High School, c. Mid 90s
Luke Bryan’s high school yearbook photo
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Late 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Mid 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Mid 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Mid 1980s
Luke Bryan, c. Mid 1980s
Top 50 Jason Aldean Songs: His Greatest Hits + Best Deep Cuts
The best Jason Aldean songs are spread out among his 11 studio albums. Find singles and deep cuts from his self-titled debut album high on this list, right alongside more recent hits and duets from Macon and Georgia.
Taste of Country asked readers for input and did a deep dive into Aldeans’ full catalog of songs to identify those worthy of this top songs list, and those that simply aren’t. Spoiler alert: A few radio singles are missing, and several album tracks rank inside the Top 20. Sales and chart success helped us round out the Top 50. Do you agree with No. 1?
No. 50: Camouflage Hat
Broken Bow Records
No. 50: “Camouflage Hat”
Jason Aldean sings about country girls who got it bad for “Good ol’ boys in a camouflage hat,” on this song from his 9 album. Jameson Rodgers co-wrote the track and has said it’s one he wishes he’d gotten to record himself. The album cut was never a single, but it’s one the hitmaker’s fans called out when pressed for their favorites.
No. 49: Rearview Town
Broken Bow Records
No. 49: “Rearview Town”
The title track from Jason Aldean’s eighth studio album was his fourth straight No. 1 single from the project. The heavy rock ballad is a breakup song that finds the singer wearing the signature chip on his shoulder and plods past the city limit sign. “Rearview Song” is No. 49 on this list of the best Jason Aldean songs, but it’s not a bad song. He’s just done similar better.
No. 48: Youre the Love I Wanna Be In
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No. 48: “You’re the Love I Wanna Be In”
The best early Jason Aldean songs find him singing for the people, not to the people. “You’re the Love I Wanna Be In” is an example. While raw vocally and sonically, there’s an immediate opportunity to connect to his lyrics about moving in after a breakup. Steel guitar dominates this Michael Knox arrangement in a way rarely heard from Aldean on radio selections. It’s surprising to go back and listen to these deep cuts after spending time with his modern day material.
No. 47: Night Train
Broken Bow Records
No. 47: “Night Train”
Timing may have cost “Night Train” a higher spot on this list of Jason Aldean’s top songs. The story he tells — a drive into the country with a “blanket and a fifth of comfort” and his lover — was told too frequently for several years in country music. Sonically, the Neil Thrasher-led rocker sets itself apart from other Aldean songs. It’s part of a subset of songs that speak to rural America. Most of the rest of that group can be found higher on this list.
No. 46: Water Tower
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No. 46: “Water Tower”
“Water Tower” was Jason Aldean exploring new territory. The last track on his Night Train album stretches who he is as an artist. To that point (and since that point), he’s been a no-nonsense country-rocker, but here he’s singing to an actual water tower. That’s a bit more poetic than anything else in his catalog. Fans like it enough to help it make this list of his Top 50 songs.
No. 45: I Belive in Ghosts
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No. 45: “I Belive in Ghosts”
Jason Aldean sounds like Tracy Lawrence through the first verse of “I Believe in Ghosts,” and it’s not the worst thing in the world. It’s among the most traditional songs on our Top 50 list, with more conventional instrumentation and melody. He croons during the breakup song — like we said: early Jason Aldean albums were full of surprises.
No. 44: Girl Like You
Broken Bow Records
No. 44: “Girl Like You”
If you’re thinking we’re down on Aldean’s Rearview Town album, then wait until you read the full list. Like the title track, “Girl Like You” is eclipsed by better versions of the same thing in his catalog. It’s a slow and sexy, R&B-influenced bedroom burner, but sheer lust isn’t enough to move it past No. 44 on this list of Jason Aldean’s top songs.
No. 43: Church Pew or Bar Stool
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No. 43: “Church Pew or Bar Stool”
There’s no doubt that Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party album is his best ever. Eight of the 15 songs make this list of this Top 50, starting with “Church Pew or Bar Stool,” a soulful, steel guitar-laced ballad that’s as fully realized as any of the singles. This is another song that speaks to small town life with authenticity. We’d listen to arguments that it should rank even higher.
No. 42: We Back
Broken Bow Records
No. 42: “We Back”
In early 2022, Jason Aldean had run of nine No. 1 hits out of his last 10 radio singles (with “Trouble With a Heartbreak” still climbing). The one miss was “We Back,” a rocker that led his 9 project. It’s a song meant for stage play more than radio play, but that effect is hard to measure for a top songs list.
No. 41: Just Gettin Started
Broken Bow Records
No. 41: “Just Gettin’ Started”
Love can’t wait during Jason Aldean’s “Just Gettin’ Started,” his No. 1 hit from 2015. The simmering country-rocker is representative of the music he was making at that time, most of which can be found in the middle of the pack on this list.
No. 40: Why
Broken Bow Records
No. 40: “Why”
“Why” is a good place to remind you that one or both members of Big & Rich wrote a lot of early Jason Aldean songs. John Rich helped pen this breakup ballad, a song that quickly showcased the soon-to-be hitmaker as a dynamic vocalist and not just the rabble rouser from “Hicktown.” It’s also an important song. Without “Why,” do we get “Don’t You Wanna Stay”?
No. 39: Gonna Know We Were Here
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No. 39: “Gonna Know We Were Here”
Jason Aldean has several songs that announce his presence with a snarl. “Tattoos on This Town” and “We Back” do it. So does “Gonna Know We Were Here,” his Top 5 single from 2014. He likes to put his stamp on things.
No. 38: On My Highway
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No. 38: “On My Highway”
Songs from Jason Aldean’s Wide Open album find his vision full realized. The production is much improved and he’s a more confident vocalist, especially during ballads like “On My Highway,” a really touching look inward that’s unlike any other song on this Top Jason Aldean Songs list.
No. 37: A Little More Summertime
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No. 37: “A Little More Summertime”
“A Little More Summertime” is the hit that slipped by without notice. Across the first two decades of his career, only a handful of radio singles missed achieving Gold or Platinum certification. This is one of them. Aldean’s second single from They Don’t Know hit No. 1, but you rarely hear it on the radio. The thing is, it’s a really strong lyric and one of his better vocal performances.
No. 36: Relentless
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No. 36: “Relentless”
“Relentless” might be Jason Aldean’s lowest charting song ever (No. 15 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart in 2008), but it holds up musically against others that did better. Staff opinion bolstered this song’s place on this list of Aldean’s 50 best songs. Not everything from his early albums sounds fresh today, but this mid-tempo cut does.
No. 35: Wide Open
Broken Bow Records
No. 35: “Wide Open”
It’s at this point on our list of Jason Aldean’s best songs that you start to run into album cuts that were never released to radio because his label simply ran out of time. It’s difficult to argue that “Wide Open” is better than the sample dished out as singles (three of which crack the Top 20 here) — it’s the second best song about a woman confident in who she is (“She’s Country”). This makes it a stellar album cut. When asked, Aldean fans listed this among their favorites, but others earned more votes. No. 35 is a good spot for it.
No. 34: They Dont Know
Broken Bow Records
No. 34: “They Don’t Know”
In mid-2017, the superstar reaffirmed his blue collar brand with “They Don’t Know,” a rocker about small town American values. The album of the same name finds him recommitting to this sound after a daring exploration of R&B throughout Old Boots, New Dirt, but the project was a bit of a stopgap between two very, very good Jason Aldean albums. The Top 5 hit is good, but not his best in this category.
No. 33: Crazy Town
Broken Bow Records
No. 33: “Crazy Town”
“Crazy Town” was and is a great live song for Aldean. While not as iconic as “She’s Country” and “My Kinda Party,” it’s every bit the singalong. This final single from Wide Open led to what is undeniably the best album of his career. Skip ahead to No. 1 on this list to see what we’re talking about.
No. 32: Heaven
Broken Bow Records
No. 32: “Heaven”
In 2009, Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams came together for an episode of CMT: Crossroads. Twelve years later, Aldean reprised a highlight from concert by including “Heaven” on his Macon album. The recorded version is a slow, patient cover that’s unlike anything he’s ever recorded. It’s strong — much stronger than a televised performance at the 2022 CMT Awards.
No. 31: Trouble With a Heartbreak
Broken Bow Records
No. 31: “Trouble With a Heartbreak”
Aldean kicked off the Georgia era of his career with “Trouble With a Heartbreak,” and we’ve slotted it near the middle of this list of his Top 50 songs as we wait to see how it performs. Legacy matters on this list.
No. 30: Country Boys World
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No. 30: “Country Boy’s World”
Jason Aldean lets the country seduce a beauty from New Jersey during “Country Boy’s World,” a fan-favorite from his catalog. This deep cut from the My Kinda Party album is unique because he actually comes away with the girl. So often during the early part of Aldean’s career, his best moves left him heartbroken.
No. 29: Lights Come On
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No. 29: “Lights Come On”
“Lights Come On” led Jason Aldean’s They Don’t Know album (2016) and bolstered his already high-octane live show. It’s an unapologetic rocker that describes the opening moments of his concert. “Aldean and the boys about to blow it up,” he sings, laughing out of the bridge. The No. 1 hit isn’t among his most-played recurrents on country radio, but it’s difficult to imagine it ever leaving his set list.
No. 28: I Aint Ready to Quit
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No. 28: “I Ain’t Ready to Quit”
Count the songs from My Kinda Party on Jason Aldean’s best songs list. This mid-tempo love song was co-written by Thomas Rhett, before he had his own radio success. What begins as a blue collar anthem becomes a clever affirmation to the woman in his life. Country radio likes a good twist, but they never got a chance to play this underrated song from his catalog.
No. 27: Johnny Cash
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No. 27: “Johnny Cash”
“Johnny Cash” was a song for Aldean fans who loved “Hicktown,” his debut single at radio. The defiant, blue collar rocker reaffirmed his brand and introduced a sort of spoken-word vocal he’d return to often — in a variety of ways — throughout his career. The meaty cut was a Top 10 hit.
No. 26: Texas Was You
Broken Bow Records
No. 26: “Texas Was You”
“Texas Was You” is an odd duck on the My Kinda Party album. Vocally, Jason Aldean is caught between styles for much of the song, but lyrically it’s a strong story. The singer took risks on album cuts, and not all worked. This one does at the end of the day. The uptempo track is a pleasant surprise if you’ve only listened to his greatest hits.
No. 25: Champagne Town
Broken Bow Records
No. 25: “Champagne Town”
Jason Aldean does something on “Champagne Town” he doesn’t do often: hold long notes. The chorus of this song resets ones expectations of him as a vocalist. It also shown how he’s grown over the course of nine studio albums. We like every part of this well-written, smartly produced should-have-been single.
No. 24: Any Ol Barstool
Broken Bow Records
No. 24: “Any Ol’ Barstool”
A deep listen to “Any Ol’ Barstool” reveals a rich country lyric and one of Aldean’s better vocal performances. He doesn’t try to soar, and he forgets about the chip on his shoulder during the three-and-a-half-minute long storytelling session. Aldean exhibits more control than ever during the subtle drop-offs. It’s a better song than its legacy would suggest.
No. 23: The Only Way I Know
Broken Bow Records
No. 23: “The Only Way I Know”
Luke Bryan and Eric Church join Jason Aldean for this uncompromising hit song about hard-workin’ values. Somehow it’s been 10 years since it was released and reached No. 1 on country airplay charts. Like many of the songs on our list of Jason Aldean’s best songs, it still sounds fresh.
No. 22: Hicktown
Broken Bow Records
No. 22: “Hicktown”
Big & Rich helped write “Hicktown” for Jason Aldean, a song clearly born out of “Save a Horse” sensibilities. Aldean’s first radio single was a bit more traditional than the country duo’s genre-bending form of music, and as a result he’d enjoy more immediate, long-lasting success. While not his best song, “Hicktown” is the one that made all things possible for Aldean. It was an accurate introduction.
No. 21: Back in This Cigarette
Broken Bow Records
No. 21: “Back in This Cigarette”
Commercially, Jason Aldean’s Relentless album was an early disappointment. All three radio singles missed the Top 5, and several album cuts are still challenging years later. Songs like “Back in This Cigarette” make it all worth it, however. Joe Doyle and Michael Mobley wrote the power ballad that longs to reverse time. It’s one of three deep cuts to make the Top 50.
No. 20: Tattoos on This Town
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No. 20: “Tattoos on This Town”
“Tattoos on This Town” is the pre-cursor to “Gonna Know We Were Here,” released four years later. Conceptually the two rock songs are very similar, but we’ll give the benefit of the doubt to the original let-em-know-we-were-here song.
No. 19: When She Says Baby
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No. 19: “When She Says Baby”
The best Jason Aldean songs add an extra layer of depth to his brand of country rock. Whereas “Just Gettin’ Started” focuses only on the sexual tension between the singer and his lover, “When She Says Baby” pins that to an emotional transition that’s more universally understood and appreciated. This woman sands away his rough edges with soft, gentle strokes of his hair and a calming smile. Fans of all ages will appreciate that on repeat.
No. 18: Tonight Looks Good on You
Broken Bow Records
No. 18: “Tonight Looks Good on You”
Part 3 of three straight sultry Jason Aldean singles from Old Boots, New Dirt is “Tonight Looks Good on You,” one of very few Dallas Davidson co-writes in the singer’s catalog (they’re very good friends). The chart-topper ranks higher than “Burnin’ It Down” and “Just Gettin’ Started” because it plucks the best ideas from those songs and smashes them into a very appealing lover’s groove.
No. 17: Whiskey Me Away
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No. 17: “Whiskey Me Away”
If “Whiskey Me Away” doesn’t get a shot at country radio, it’d be a shame. The song glides along an easy melody — co-writer Morgan Wallen no doubt helped there — and makes all the right references for today. There are not many deep cuts from Georgia on this Top 50 Jason Aldean songs list. We’d bet on there being one less before he gets to album number 12.
No. 16: Take a Little Ride
Broken Bow Records
No. 16: “Take a Little Ride”
If you were to pick one song to describe Aldean’s music, it might be “Take a Little Ride,” a guitar-heavy country love song with accessible lyrics and an easy melody. His spoken-word vocal powers each verse before a great singalong chorus. The lead single from Night Train shot to No. 1 and can still be heard on country radio today.
No. 15: Asphalt Cowboy
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No. 15: “Asphalt Cowboy”
Jason Aldean fans love “Asphalt Cowboy,” a mellow trucker anthem from the Jason Aldean album. Tracy Lawrence comparisons made earlier on this list apply here, as well. While never a hit, it was the most=named song when Taste of Country asked for the best Aldean deep cuts. That’s good enough for a high ranking on this list.
No. 14: Grown Woman (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
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No. 14: “Grown Woman” (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
It’s amazing to realize there was a Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert duet that never got a chance at radio, but this was 2007, before either were superstars. Lambert was still very much a woman looking for consistency on radio charts, and Aldean could hardly afford chances with a tender ballad (“Laughed Until We Cried” would be chosen as a single from Relentless). If there was one sure hit Aldean and his label missed on, it’s this gem. The oversight is understandable, however.
No. 13: Burnin It Down
Broken Bow Records
No. 13: “Burnin’ It Down”
In Billboard, the late Chuck Dauphin called Jason Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down” “the most musically adventurous track that Aldean has ever recorded,” and he was right. In fact, that remains true — the hitmaker has never pivoted like he did to introduce the Old Boots, New Dirt album. A heavy track all but covers the organic instruments on this No. 1 hit. The song was polarizing. More accurately, “Burnin’ It Down” ticked off the “that’s not country music” crowd. That’s never really been our hill, so it was easy to rank this among Jason Aldean’s Top 20 songs.
No. 12: Laughed Until We Cried
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No. 12: “Laughed Until We Cried”
Early Jason Aldean ballads were impressive and dynamic. Some of the deep cuts from his first few albums are best staying as deep cuts, but the chosen singles not only hit at radio — Top 10 for “Laughed Until We Cried” — they stuck to the soul. This staff favorite finds Aldean storytelling, something he’s done little of throughout his career. It’s vulnerable and real and rare.
No. 11: Shes Country
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No. 11: “She’s Country”
The Triple-Platinum “She’s Country” is a great lip-snarling country-rock song that still hits hard today. Aldean’s celebratory anthem should never leave his set list. Find it on the Wide Open album.
No. 10: If I Didnt Love You
Broken Bow Records
No. 10: “If I Didn’t Love You”
Jason Aldean has never struggled to hold his own alongside the best female vocalists in country music. “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood is a prime example. The Grammy nominated hit from 2022 might become even more iconic than his duet with Kelly Clarkson, found deeper on this list of his best songs.
No. 9: Amarillo Sky
Broken Bow Records
No. 9: “Amarillo Sky”
The singles from Jason Aldean’s debut album each had a purpose. “Hicktown” introduced him as a rowdy, country-rock outlaw. “Why” softened those wild edges and proved he’s a man of depth. “Amarillo Sky” let fans know this hard working, no bullsh– country singer is a voice for the working man. He sang it like he lived it, and in the 15 years that have followed, he’s done the same over and over again. If you’re a big Jason Aldean fan, you’re likely to be a big “Amarillo Sky” fan.
No. 8: Drowns the Whiskey
Broken Bow Records
No. 8: “Drowns the Whiskey”
Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert need to do more songs together. Neither are known as soaring vocalists, but both rely on plugging into dark emotions to tell great country stories. Her harmonies during the chorus give “Drowns the Whiskey” life. Josh Thompson led a great co-write, but give credit to the versatile Michael Knox for building a fine traditional track for these two stars. The Platinum-certified single was an easy chart-topper in 2018.
No. 7: Big Green Tractor
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No. 7: “Big Green Tractor”
This might be Aldean’s easiest country love song, the one that hits the largest cross-section of his intended audience. “Big Green Tractor” strolls right down country Main St. with a sweet love story and a plenty of rural garnish. A fun fact about this radio airplay No. 1 hit: It’s one of two songs from his catalog to top the Ringtone chart (per Billboard). Who remembers ringtones?
No. 6: You Make It Easy
Broken Bow Records
No. 6: “You Make It Easy”
Jason Aldean’s steamy waltz is also known for being Morgan Wallen‘s first big hit as a country songwriter. “You Make It Easy” is one of this singer’s all-time great vocal performances, as well. The Platinum-certified No. 1 hit from 2018 is the first of four chart-toppers from Rearview Town, and it’s the song that best represents the artist he’d become during decade No. 2 of his career.
No. 5: The Truth
Broken Bow Records
No. 5: “The Truth”
With some songs, it’s the artist that makes them great. Then there are songs like “The Truth” that would hurt the heart no matter who recorded it. Brett James and Ashley Monroe‘s ballad from 2009 is Aldean’s most desperate breakup song. Throughout two great verses and a melodic chorus, he keeps a stiff lip in asking an ex to lie for him. The bridge twists the knife in deep, however, with Aldean pleading, “have some mercy on me!” If you’re new to Aldean’s catalog, this is a good place to begin.
No. 4: Dont You Wanna Stay (Feat. Kelly Clarkson)
Broken Bow Records
No. 4: “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Feat. Kelly Clarkson)
The massive commercial success of “Don’t You Wanna Stay” makes it impossible to ignore as one of Jason Aldean’s top songs. Some fan polling and an assessment of the Top 5 on our list favored a few others more than this Kelly Clarkson duet. It’s arguably her song more than his, if only because of her vocal power and presence. No. 4 feels like a great spot for this Multi-Platinum, ACM and CMA Award winning chart-topper.
No. 3: Dirt Road Anthem
Broken Bow Records
No. 3: “Dirt Road Anthem”
Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” had a secret advantage before he released it as the third single from My Kinda Party: Songwriter Brantley Gilbert had already made it an underground hit, which made trusting that the masses would embrace his rap delivery a bit easier. Still, this eventual No. 1 hit was ahead of its time. In 2012 it wasn’t quite cool to fly your hip-hop influences, but the Georgia-raised singer waved that flag proudly and his fans rewarded him for it.
No. 2: Fly Over States
Broken Bow Records
No. 2: “Fly Over States”
“Fly Over States” isn’t an obvious choice for the penultimate song on this list of the best Jason Aldean songs. It’s a mid-tempo country-rocker that seems to speak to a specific audience with a stream of colorful lyrics that get lost amid life’s background noises. Stop and listen to those lyrics, however. Not only does this hit from 2012 and 2013 put on a master class in phrasing, it delivers a dying — but essential — message about American values in a digital age. Again and again, Aldean has tried to speak for the working class, and he’s succeeded on so many levels throughout his two-decade long career. This song does it with a sort of country boy’s poetry not found elsewhere.
No. 1: My Kinda Party
Broken Bow Records
No. 1: “My Kinda Party”
“My Kinda Party” will be the first song listed after Jason Aldean dies. It’s a big, commercial country-rock song that doesn’t pretend to be anything but. The current generation of country newcomer is keen to replicate this mix of the two formats, looking for their own version of this ultimate live song. Some come close.
What Aldean says during “My Kinda Party” isn’t as important as how he says it, so it’s here we’ll spread more love to producer Michael Knox, who built a masterpiece on this song, the lead single from an album of the same name.
Read More: Luke Bryan Interrupts Jason Aldean’s Performance + It’s Pure Gold | https://wyrk.com/ixp/204/p/luke-bryan-interrupts-jason-aldean-crash-my-playa/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
