Country music is known for its deep lyricism. Most songs tell a story, teach a lesson, or paint a picture for the listeners. Whether it’s how life can get you down or how life is cherished, country music offers different opinions and lessons on life that make people feel seen and less alone.
Here are our favorite country songs about life that will have you nodding your head in understanding and smiling along with the lyrics.
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“Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2004
Tim McGraw’s take on how life can change in an instant is an emotional one. In this 2004 hit, the lyrics tell the story of a man in his 40s finding out he has a terminal illness and how he decided to live each day like it were his last, choosing to go sky-diving and loving deeper.
McGraw drives home that we should always live like were dying and not take anything for granted because of how short and unpredictable life can be.
“I Hope You Dance “ by Lee Ann Womack
Song Year: 2000
Another take on living life to the fullest, Lee Ann Womack focuses on small things that make life beautiful. The singer spends the song hoping the listener has everything that constitutes a good life, like love, gratefulness, opportunities, and more.
The main takeaway is something as simple as dancing when you should dance. Enjoy life, so even things that seem embarrassing don’t matter in the end.
“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band
Song Year: 2005
“Chicken Fried” is a simpler version of enjoying life; it’s a lighthearted take on a simple Friday night enjoying fried chicken and a beer. And who doesn’t love a pair of jeans that fit perfectly?
It goes on to say that you don’t need extravagance to be happy; just cherish what you have.
“Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
Song Year: 2004
Rascal Flatts is thankful for all the hurt along the road of life because it shapes who you become. “Bless the Broken Road” is a tribute to how life can go wrong, but there is a reason for everything that comes our way. From feeling grateful to heartbroken when dreams don’t come to fruition, everything along the bumpy road of life leads you to where you are today.
“Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney
Song Year: 2007
“Don't Blink” is a song about how fast life passes, and if you don’t cherish the moments, you’ll wake up and wish you could go back one day. Most of the lyrics come from the perspective of a man who is 102 years old, and he states how life went by for him in the blink of an eye.
This song is about not taking moments for granted or spending your life unhappy because if you blink, you’ll miss it all when it’s gone.
“Alright” by Darius Rucker
Song Year: 2008
In another song about enjoying the little things, Darius Rucker sings about how he doesn’t need expensive items or crazy experiences; he already has everything he needs with his house and his wife, some cheap wine, and stars in the sky. He appreciates life for what it is, not what it could be. He’s content with being “alright.”
“Buy Dirt” by Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan
Song Year: 2021
In this recently released single, “Buy Dirt,” is about the simplicity of life. With similar messages to previously mentioned songs, this song stands out because it gives advice. The lyrics tell the listener to buy a plot of land, marry who they want and make a living together. You can start from scratch because you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy land and start a life of happiness.
“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
Song Year:
“Americans Kids” is a feel-good song about growing up and living life as a teenager. It’s about being young and reckless because children and teenagers have fun and enjoy this age of their youth.
“Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
Song Year: 2006
One of the most popular and well-known country songs, this Rascal Flatts hit about life is a catchy song about the road of life. With its never-ending road with twists and turns along the way, you keep driving.
There is also the inevitable end, darkness, or you’re out of gas, so be in the driver’s seat and stay in control while it lasts.
“When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs
Song Year: 2017
This song begins with the singer experiencing a break-up and being down about it, only to realize it’s the best thing that could have ever happened to him.
“When It Rains It Pours” is a life lesson about how when one door closes, another opens. In this case, things that seem hard to deal with happen for reasons that leave you better off.
“Rain Is A Good Thing” by Luke Bryan
Song Year: 2010
In this single, Luke Bryan explains how rain is a good thing from where he comes from, despite what others think. Life isn’t as simple as everyone leading a similar one, and this song details the positive outcomes of something in life that typically has an adverse reaction.
There is also the deeper meaning of chain reactions and how to get to somewhere, someone, or something you want, you have to start somewhere, even if it’s not enjoyable. That is life.
“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
Song Year: 2006
This second Rascal Flatts song makes the list of 17 country songs about life because it details it’s a reminder to listeners you aren’t alone in this life. When life gets rough and dreams seem impossible or love is scarce, none of it is ever truly gone.
“This One’s For the Girls” by Martina McBride
Song Year: 2003
As the title suggests, Martina Mcbride details the lives of girls and women. From being a young girl dealing with bullies to living life on her own with a budget to being a grown woman wishing to go back.
It’s a female anthem about how all women are similar and often encounter similar struggles but it makes you who you are.
“Jesus, Take The Wheel” by Carrie Underwood
Song Year: 2005
This Carrie Underwood single takes a darker twist on events with a woman pleading for her life and her baby's life. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” explains how some things in life are out of our control, but they can still teach us life lessons.
Halfway through the song, you learn the woman is okay, but her near-death experience alongside her baby makes her swear to be more careful and change the way she’s living her life.
“Fifteen” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2008
“Fifteen” is about a specific year in life that seems so important. Taylor Swift sings about falling in love when you’re young and how painful it can be. At the age of being naive and learning through life experiences, this song teaches a lesson about how it's a part of life. You live, and you learn.
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” by Garth Brooks
Song Year: 1989
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” is a song about making sure you tell and show your partner and the people around you how much you care about them. It’s the idea that if you died, or they died, would you leave them doubting your love, or would they die doubting your love?
“Fire Away” by Chris Stapleton
Song Year: 2015
Chris Stapleton sings this song from the perspective of someone in a relationship and sings that no matter what life or someone throws at you, you are strong and can take it because it’s worth the fight.
Best Country Songs About Life, Final Thoughts
Much of country music songs are metaphors for life. These songs, emotional or light-hearted, showcase the good and bad in life, but they all end with the same message: life is worth living.
