Triumphant Update #100 to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist

When this playlist was first started as a simple collection point for the top songs in the current moment in country, who knew it would still be around nearly five years later, and garner over 7,700 followers on Spotify alone? Since then it’s helped launch songs and artists, specially from the loyalty of so many listeners. Thanks for the part you do to keep the playlist going.

The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats (see below), or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations to find something new to listen to.

Newest Additions:

Ian Noe – “Ballad of a Retired Man” – This fastly-rising Kentucky songwriter lands the rare second simultaneous selection on the playlist for this song off his recent album River Fools & Mountain Saints that very well may contend for Song of the Year come December. A stunning example of character and story, it exemplifies why Ian Noe is quickly becoming considered one of the finest of the songwriting craft.

Tami Neilson w/ Willie Nelson – “Beyond The Stars” – Giving you chills bumps from the eerie similarities to Patsy Cline—of whom Willie Nelson wrote the iconic song “Crazy” for—with just a hint of Marty Robbins as well with its Western wind-swept air and Countrypolitan approach, “Beyond The Stars” was inspired by the passing of Tami Neilson’s dad, and was recently performed live with Willie at the Luck Reunion (read more).

Michelle Rivers – “Gone” – Get this Montana-based songwriter on your radar now. She has a big new album on the way, and big performances set for this summer, including at Montana’s Under The Big Sky Fest where Saving Country Music first saw her in 2021. Her skill at songcraft and compelling chorus is very evident in “Gone.”

Kristina Murray – “I’m Gonna Hurt Him on the Radio” – It’s rare to see a cover song creep onto the playlist, but when it’s Kristina Murray, and articulated this well, it would be criminal not to include it. Written by Mac McAnally and Tom Brasfield sometime back in the 80s, originally recorded by David Allan Coe, and later a hit for Charley Pride with “Love” switched for “Hate,” Kristina does her own swapping of perspective and makes the song feel as pertinent as ever.

Kaitlin Butts – “jackson” – Inspired by the iconic duet between Johnny and June, the story of “jackson” by Kaitlin Butts is not quite as fevered, and instead illustrates the opposite side of the love coin when the embers just smolder instead of burn. Moreover, Butts utilizes the waltz beat of this song and her strong and confident voice to really deliver a moment at the end. From her new album What Else Can She Do?

Arlo McKinley – “Stealing Dark from the Night Sky” – The last time Arlo McKinley released a record, the darn thing hauled off and won Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year. All the more reason to not temper excitement for his upcoming album This Mess We’re In out July 15th. Another reason is this mesmerizing song of poetic brilliance and melodic hypnotism.

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The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist primarily lives on Spotify, but is also available for those who use Amazon Music, YouTube, Apple Music, and Tidal. For those who don’t stream music, you can still find the song recommendations in list form below.

CLICK HERE to follow Saving Country Music on Spotify, and/or follow the Spotify Top 25 Playlist.

Please Note: The songs on this playlist are curated for listening pleasure and flow. Otherwise, they are not in any specific order.

Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist:

  • “jackson” – Kaitlin Butts – What Else Can She Do?
  • “Down Home” – David Quinn – Country Fresh
  • “Neon Blue” – Joshua Hedley – Neon Blue (4-22)
  • “Crooked Tree” – Molly Tuttle – Crooked Tree
  • “Beyond The Stars” – Tami Neilson, Willie Nelson – Kingmaker (7-15)
  • “12th of June” – Lyle Lovett – 12th of June (5-13)
  • “Butler Hayes” – The Wooks – Flyin’ High
  • “Stealing Dark from the Night Sky” – Arlo McKinley – This Mess We’re In (7-15)
  • “In Texas With A Band” – Brennen Leigh w/ Asleep at the Wheel – Obsessed with the West (5-6)
  • “Hard To Make It Rain” – Randall King – Shot Glass
  • “Gone” – Michelle Rivers – (single)
  • “Friends With Benefits” – Mike Kuster – Better Late Than Never
  • “Ballad of a Retired Man” – Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints
  • “Demons” – Dolly Parton, Ben Haggard – Run, Rose, Run
  • “Fire Song” Jessica Willis Fisher – (single)
  • “Love Thy Neighbor” – Stefanie Joyce – (single)
  • “The Ghost of Lincoln” – The Wilder Blue – Self-Titled
  • “Annabel” – 49 Winchester – Fortune Favors The Bold (5-13)
  • “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die” – Willie Nelson – A Beautiful Time (4-29)
  • “I’m Gonna Hurt Him on the Radio” – Kristina Murray – (single)
  • “River Fool” – Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints
  • “Leaving Since You Got Here” – Matt Castillo – How The River Flows
  • “From Austin” – Zach Bryan – American Heartbreak (5-20)
  • “Bad Mamma Jamma” – Alma Russ – Fool’s Gold
  • “blood” – Kaitlin Butts – What Else Can She Do?
  • “Come On Loretta” – Drew Moreland – (single)
© 2023 Saving Country Music