Country music has long been a favorite genre for many Americans. The 10 best outlaw country songs of all time are sure to get your foot tapping and leave you wanting more.
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Johnny Cash – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
In the 1950s, Johnny Cash rose to fame as a country music star. He was one of the first musicians to be identified with the new genre of rockabilly. His style of music was a blend of country, rock and roll, and blues. His songs were often about the hard life of the American working class. In the 1960s, Cash’s career took a turn when he began to speak out against social injustice. He became known as the “Man in Black” for his support of the poor and oppressed. In the 1970s, Cash’s career was revitalized by his relationship with June Carter Cash. The couple recorded several duets and had a hit television show. Cash continued to perform and record until his death in 2003.
Willie Nelson – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
Willie Nelson is one of the most important country music artists of all time. His career has spanned six decades, and he has released over 100 albums. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he has won nine Grammy Awards. Nelson is also a successful actor, and he has appeared in over 30 films.
Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, in 1933. He was raised on a farm, and he began playing guitar when he was seven years old. He wrote his first song when he was nine. Nelson left school at the age of 16 to work as a musician. He played in honky-tonks and dance halls in Texas and Oklahoma. In 1960, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he tried to break into the country music business.
Nelson had little success in Nashville, and he returned to Texas in 1971. He recorded the album “Red Headed Stranger” in Austin, Texas. The album was a commercial failure, but it attracted the attention of country music fans. Nelson’s next album, “Shotgun Willie,” was a critical and commercial success. It established Nelson as a leading figure in the outlaw country movement.
Nelson has continued to record and perform throughout his career. He has collaborated with many other artists, including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Julio Iglesias. In 2015, he released the album “The Storyteller,” which featured duets with Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson.
Nelson is an iconic figure in country music. His songs are timeless classics, and his influence is still felt today. If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to check out Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Country of Musical Genres review on Amazon.
Kris Kristofferson – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
There’s no denying that Kris Kristofferson is a legend. The man has had an incredible career, both as a musician and as an actor. He’s been nominated for Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. He’s won a Grammy Award, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He’s a true icon, and his influence can still be felt today.
That being said, I was really disappointed with this album. I’m a big fan of Kristofferson’s music, but this album just didn’t do it for me. It feels like a lot of the songs are just rehashes of his older material. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good tracks on here (“Why Me”, “The Pilgrim”), but overall I was just left wanting more.
If you’re a diehard Kristofferson fan, then you’ll probably enjoy this album. But if you’re looking for something new from the man, you’ll likely be disappointed.
Waylon Jennings – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
Waylon Jennings was one of the most popular country music artists of the 1970s. He was known for his Outlaw Country style, which blended traditional country music with a more rock and roll sound. Jennings had several hits in the 1970s, including “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love),” “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” He also had a successful duet with Willie Nelson, “Good Hearted Woman.” In the 1980s, Jennings continued to be a successful country artist with hits like “Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys),” “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” and “Ain’t Living Long Like This.” He also appeared in the 1980 film The Electric Horseman. Jennings died in 2002 at the age of 64.
Hank Williams Jr. – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
If you grew up in the South, then Hank Williams Jr. was likely a staple in your household. His music is a unique blend of country, rock, and blues that has come to be known as “outlaw country.” On this album, Hank Jr. pays tribute to the outlaw country legends who came before him with covers of songs by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. While Hank Jr.’s own style is evident throughout the album, it’s clear that he has been influenced by the outlaw country greats. The result is an album that is both fresh and familiar, and sure to please fans of all three genres.
Merle Haggard – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
Merle Haggard was one of the architects of the outlaw country movement, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Outlaw country was a reaction to the polished, Nashville-dominated sound that had come to dominate country music. Artists like Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings eschewed the slick production values and polished melodies of mainstream country in favor of a grittier, more traditional sound.
Haggard’s 1968 single “Mama Tried” epitomized the outlaw country sound. The song, which told the story of a young man who is sent to prison after killing a man in a bar fight, was raw and honest, with Haggard’s rough voice conveying the desperation and despair of the protagonist. The song struck a chord with listeners and quickly became a hit, cementing Haggard’s reputation as a leading figure in the outlaw country movement.
In the 1970s, Haggard continued to produce groundbreaking music, including the seminal album “Okie from Muskogee.” The album, which was released in 1969, featured the title track, a song that celebrated blue-collar Americans and took a shot at the anti-war protestors who were then prominent. The song was a huge hit and helped make Haggard one of the most popular country artists of the 1970s.
Haggard remained an active and successful recording artist throughout the rest of his life, releasing over 60 albums. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He died in 2016 at the age of 79.
Merle Haggard was one of the most influential country music artists of all time. His gritty, traditional sound helped define the outlaw country movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. He was a master songwriter, crafting songs that resonated with listeners and told stories of everyday life. Haggard had a profound impact on country music and his legacy continues to influence artists today.
George Jones – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
If there’s one thing that can be said about George Jones, it’s that the man knows how to sing a country song. For more than 50 years, Jones has been one of the most celebrated and influential country singers of all time, and his impact on the genre is still felt today. On his latest album, Outlaw Country, Jones once again proves that he’s the king of heartbreak, delivering 10 tracks of classic country music that will tug at your heartstrings and make you want to raise a glass to lost love.
The album opens with the title track, a slow and mournful ballad that finds Jones reflecting on a failed relationship. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is filled with songs about love gone wrong. From the regretful “I Thought I Knew Everything” to the wistful “She’s Gone, Gone, Gone”, each track is a masterclass in heartache.
But while the album is heavy on emotion, there are also moments of levity and hope. On “I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair”, Jones takes a shot at country music’s new generation of stars, declaring that he’s not ready to give up his place in the spotlight just yet. And on the upbeat “Hey Good Lookin'”, he offers a ray of sunshine in the midst of all the sadness, singing about how he’s still got plenty of good years ahead of him.
No matter what your mood, Outlaw Country has something for everyone. So pour yourself a glass of your favorite whiskey and settle in for a heart-wrenching listen. You won’t be disappointed.
David Allan Coe – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
David Allan Coe is one of the most prolific and controversial country music artists of all time. A true iconoclast, Coe has been creating his own brand of country music for over four decades, and shows no signs of slowing down. His music is raw and gritty, often dealing with topics that other artists wouldn’t dare touch. Coe is a true outlaw, and his music reflects that.
Coe got his start in the late 1960s, playing in honky tonks and bars around Ohio. He quickly developed a reputation for being a wild man, both on and off stage. His wild ways eventually caught up with him, and he spent time in prison for various offenses. It was during this time that he began writing songs, many of which would go on to be recorded by some of country music’s biggest stars.
In the 1970s, Coe released a string of highly successful albums that cemented his place in country music history. Albums like “Once Upon a Rhyme” and “The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy” showcased Coe’s unique style of songwriting, and his willingness to push the envelope. He also gained a reputation for being one of the best live performers in country music, thanks to his high-energy showmanship.
In the 1980s, Coe’s career took a bit of a turn when he became embroiled in a controversy surrounding racist and sexist lyrics. Despite the controversy, Coe continued to release music throughout the decade, including the critically acclaimed album “Texas Tea.”
Coe’s career has been defined by his willingness to take risks and push boundaries. He has never been afraid to speak his mind or stand up for what he believes in. His music is raw and honest, and his live shows are legendary. If you’re a fan of country music, or just good music in general, you need to check out David Allan Coe.
Tammy Wynette – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
Tammy Wynette is one of the most iconic and influential country music singers of all time. She was known for her raw, emotional vocals and her songs about love, heartbreak, and domestic violence. Tammy’s career spanned five decades, and she released over 70 albums. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Tammy passed away in 2005, but her music continues to live on.
Tammy Wynette was born Virginia Wynette Pugh in May 1942 in Tremont, Mississippi. Her father was a sharecropper and her mother was a housewife. Tammy was the youngest of five children. The family was very poor, and Tammy often had to help out with farm work. When Tammy was eight years old, her parents divorced and she went to live with her grandparents.
Tammy began singing in church at a young age. She started playing guitar when she was 16. After high school, Tammy married Euple Byrd. The couple had two daughters, Tamala Georgette and Gwendolyn Faye. Tammy and Euple divorced after four years of marriage.
In 1966, Tammy married country singer George Jones. The couple had one daughter, Georgette Paula. Tammy and George recorded several duets together, including “We’re Gonna Hold On” and “Golden Ring”. The couple divorced in 1975.
Tammy married songwriter-producer Billy Sherrill in 1978. The couple remained married until his death in 1995. Tammy continued to record and perform throughout the rest of her life. She released her final album, One Last Time, in 2000.
Tammy Wynette passed away on April 6, 2005 at the age of 64. She had suffered from various health problems in recent years, including stroke and pneumonia. Tammy left behind a legacy as one of the greatest country music singers of all time.
Emmylou Harris – Outlaw Country of Musical Genres
One of the most influential and acclaimed figures in country music history, Emmylou Harris has been a vital part of the Americana music scene for over four decades. A former member of the legendary country-rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers, Harris has gone on to release a string of highly acclaimed solo albums that have cemented her place as one of the most respected and revered singer-songwriters of her generation. Her latest album, “Outlaw Country,” finds Harris teaming up with some of the biggest names in country music for a celebration of the genre’s rebellious side.
Featuring collaborations with Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, and more, “Outlaw Country” is a loving tribute to the country artists who paved the way for Harris and her contemporaries. With its mix of classic country, folk, rock, and blues, the album is a perfect example of Harris’ ability to transcend genres and create her own unique brand of Americana.
Fans of Harris’ previous work will find much to love on “Outlaw Country,” as she delivers some of her finest vocal performances to date. On tracks like “The Weight,” “I Still Miss Someone,” and “Boulder to Birmingham,” Harris’ stunning voice is front and center, delivering emotional resonance that only comes from years of experience. But it’s not all about nostalgia, as Harris also proves she’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank with the uptempo rockers “Hobo’s Lullaby” and “Green Rolling Hills.”
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting acquainted with her work, Emmylou Harris’ “Outlaw Country” is essential listening. It’s a fitting tribute to the genre’s trailblazing pioneers, and a reminder that Harris is still one of the very best at what she does.