We’ve run down the Best Country Albums of 2026 So Far. Now it’s time to consider the best songs and singles. What we’re looking for with “songs” are legitimate Song of the Year contenders. This means were not searching for the catchy ditties and toe tappers. We’re looking for songs that elicit a deep emotional response. These are songs that can change a life, change the world, or change someone’s perspective.
With “singles,” you still want them to be well-written. But it’s more about unlocking the sheer joy in music, and more about the performance than the writing necessarily.
Opinions on songs (and singles) are always more varied than even with albums. But the point of this exercise is to help inform the public about a song they might have missed. Feel free to leave your list of favorite songs and singles below.
There’s no subtle deliveries that paint in nuanced colors when it comes to Ashley McBryde. If she isn’t blowing out your speakers with flamethrowing chainsaw guitar, she’s drowning you in a torrential downpour of waterworks with a power ballad. Even the more hushed moments come with a smoldering intensity.
Co-written with Shelly Fairchild and Terri Jo Box, “Bottle Tells Me So” is from Ashley McBryde’s new album Wild. Even though the arrangement is rather contemporary, the way the writing and hook of the song works is totally classic country. Blending “bottle” with “Bible” is an overused trope in country songs. But as Ashley McBryde proves, there was one angle that had yet to be explored. Being able to take a country cliché and turn it into something genius is what great country music is all about.