Top 50 Country Songs from the 2000s


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Whether you love spending an afternoon listening to the best country love songs of all time, the most patriotic country songs, or even funny country songs, country music always keeps us grounded in a changing world. The 2000s were no different, especially because it was a time of transition for America. From the Y2K scare (when we weren’t sure whether or not all computers would go haywire!) to the horrifying September 11 terrorist attacks to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, no one who lived through this decade will ever forget it. It was a time when GPS was brand-new to consumers, the Internet was still a baby, when swine flu was our biggest health concern, and digital cameras were the latest new technology to own.

And country music kept us going through it all.

With favorites such as George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Faith Hill still at the forefront, the decade also ushered in a new group of performers, including Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Sadly, we said goodbye during this decade to some of the all-time greats of country music including Johnny Cash and his bride, June Carter Cash, within months of each other. We also bid adieu to other legendary country music figures including Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, and Porter Wagoner. A new era had begun.

Here are a few of the top-of-the-chart hits to take you down memory lane to the decade no one can forget:

2000

the tonight show with jay leno    tim mcgraw    air date 05152003    episode 2490    pictured l r musical guest tim mcgraw performs on may 15, 2000  photo by paul drinkwaternbcu photo banknbcuniversal via getty images via getty images
NBC

"How Do You Like Me Now?" Toby Keith

"The Way You Love Me," Faith Hill

"That's the Way," Jo Dee Messina

"The Best Day," George Strait

"My Best Friend," Tim McGraw

2001

mountain view, ca   june 28 kenny chesney performs at shoreline amphitheatre on june 28, 2001 in mountain view california photo by tim mosenfeldergetty images
Tim Mosenfelder

"It's a Great Day to Be Alive," Travis Tritt

"Don't Happen Twice," Kenny Chesney

"You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This," Toby Keith

"I'm Already There," Lonestar

"One More Day," Diamond Rio

2002

musician alan jackson performs during “a concert for hope” at the kennedy center in washington, dc, september 11, 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of september 11, 2001 afp photo  saul loeb photo credit should read saul loebafp via getty images
SAUL LOEB

"The Good Stuff," Kenny Chesney

"Drive (For Daddy Gene)," Alan Jackson

"Living and Living Well," George Strait

"Beautiful Mess," Diamond Rio

2003

american country musicians kix brooks left and ronnie dunn, who perform as brooks and dunn, onstage at farm aid in the germain amphitheater, columbus, ohio, september 7, 2003 photo by paul natkingetty images
Paul Natkin

"My Front Porch Looking In," Lonestar

"Beer for My Horses," Toby Keith and Willie Nelson

"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet

"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

"What Was I Thinking," Dierks Bentley

2004

keith urban during 38th annual country music awards   show at grand ole opry house in nashville, tennessee, united states photo by r diamondwireimage
R. Diamond

"Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw

"Remember When," Alan Jackson

"You'll Think of Me," Keith Urban

"When the Sun Goes Down," Kenny Chesney

"American Soldier," Toby Keith

2005

rascal flatts performs me and my gang during 33rd annual american music awards   show at shrine auditorium in los angeles, california, united states photo by m caulfieldwireimage
Michael Caulfield Archive

"That's What I Love about Sunday," Craig Morgan

"As Good as I Once Was," Toby Keith

"Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts

"Something More," Sugarland

"Mississippi Girl," Faith Hill

2006

brad paisley during brad paisley in concert at the borgata hotel casino  spa   july 30, 2006 at borgata hotel casino  spa in atlantic city, new jersey, united states photo by nick valinotefilmmagic
Nick Valinote

"If You're Going through Hell," Rodney Atkins

"The World," Brad Paisley

"Summertime," Kenny Chesney

"Jesus, Take the Wheel," Carrie Underwood

"Leave the Pieces," The Wreckers

2007

new york   october 23  singer carrie underwood performs on abcs good morning america in new york citys times square on october 23, 2007  photo by michael loccisanofilmmagic
Michael Loccisano

"Watching You," Rodney Atkins

"Never Wanted Nothing More," Kenny Chesney

"These Are My People," Rodney Atkins

"Take Me There," Rascal Flatts

"Wasted," Carrie Underwood

2008

nashville star    episode 604    airdate 06302008    pictured musical guest blake shelton  photo by frederick breedonnbcu photo banknbcuniversal via getty images via getty images
NBC

"Just Got Started Lovin' You," James Otto

"I Saw God Today," George Strait

"Small Town Southern Man," Alan Jackson

"Don't Think I Don't Think about It," Darius Rucker

"Home," Blake Shelton

2009

today    pictured l r charles kelley, hillary scott and dave haywood of the music group lady antebellum perform on nbc news today show  photo by peter kramernbcu photo banknbcuniversal via getty images via getty images
NBC NewsWire

"I Run to You," Lady Antebellum

"Whatever It Is," Zac Brown Band

"It Won't Be Like This for Long," Darius Rucker

"River of Love," George Strait

"Alright," Darius Rucker

2010

today    pictured taylor swift performs on nbc news today show  photo by peter kramernbcu photo banknbcuniversal via getty images via getty images
NBC NewsWire

"Love Like Crazy," Lee Brice

"The Man I Want to Be," Chris Young

"All about Tonight," Blake Shelton

"Come Back Song," Darius Rucker

"White Horse," Taylor Swift

You Might Also Like