If you missed either of the first two parts, check them out. Part One can be found here and Part Two can be found here.
“My Eyes” – Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Sebastian
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
This is another throw-away song that should have been left as an album cut off of Based on a True Story… It probably would have been as well if Shelton hadn’t been trying to promote both The Voice and its former contestant Gwen Sebastian. The song is built solely around a somewhat clever hook: “my eyes are the only thing I don’t want to take off of you.” The song is relatively inoffensive; it never comes off as creepy like some other songs of this vein might, but beyond that hook, there’s not much else about this song that’s memorable.
2.5/5
“Yeah” – Joe Nichols
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Again, a song that probably should have remained an album cut. The main problem was, thematically, it was too similar to “Sunny and 75” which had been the previous single from Nichols’ otherwise decent Crickets album. This song was breezy; I’ll admit to enjoying it, but Nichols could have made a real impact by releasing “Old School Country Song” or “Better Than Beautiful” as a single.
2.5/5
“We Are Tonight” – Billy Currington
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Oh, another song about a weekend party. Sam Hunt, haven’t you written enough of these?
0.5/5
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Another of the stronger singles that made its way up the charts this year, Brice shows strong vocals in a song of real substance. Up until this song, the only real misstep as far as singles go for Brice was “Parking Lot Party,” but normally, I respect Brice and his music. I haven’t heard his follow-up to this song, yet, but Brice stands out as one of the better ones mainstream is offering right now.
4/5
“Drunk On a Plane” – Dierks Bentley
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Much like David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got,” I find it difficult to be overly harsh on this song. Sure, I expect better from Bentley, but it’s not something that’s habitual for him. This song is enough to keep him in the minds of mainstream fans who might otherwise forget about an otherwise stellar album like Riser. Sure, the song is a throwaway, but it’s also understandable. As an album cut, I probably wouldn’t have minded it too much.
2.5/5
“Bartender” – Lady Antebellum
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Easily the worst single this group released (up until “Freestyle”), what used to make this group likeable in the first place has completely disappeared (along with anything that was once country about them).
0.5/5
“American Kids” – Kenny Chesney
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
It’s amazing how Chesney can get my hopes up with a song like “You and Tequila” or “Come Over” and just as quickly dash them with a song like “Live a Little” or “American Kids.” He’s such an anomaly, as he’s clearly capable of more, but has gone to an island of fun and never fully returned.
1/5
“Where It’s At (Yep Yep)” – Dustin Lynch
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
This song is subtitled “Yep Yep.”
No further comment necessary.
0/5
“Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” – Cole Swindell
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Part of me actually feels bad for hating this song because it sincerely feels like Swindell was actually trying to put more effort into this one than his first offering “Chillin’ It.” Unfortunately, it fails so miserably, comes off as creepy, and pales in comparison to the song it seems modeled after (Jack Ingram’s “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely”), that even when Swindell puts in effort, it’s not enough to make up for his lack of talent.
1.5/5
“Roller Coaster” – Luke Bryan
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Even as one of the better offerings off of his Crash My Party album, this song was still not country. It was adult contemporary, plain and simple. It’s a story song, so it had substance and actually had something to offer. If it had been produced differently, it may have actually been worthy of some form of praise, but this was produced as an adult contemporary pop song. If mainstream is going to keep shoving Luke Bryan down our throats, we might have to take what we can get, but still, I wish he’d just go away.
2/5
“Neon Light” – Blake Shelton
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Shelton returned to a more country sound with this song, but it wasn’t indicative of his otherwise very forgettable album “Bringing Back the Sunshine.” I initially gave the album 3.5 stars, but I don’t think I’ve listened to the album since that review after the first few critical listens. “Neon Light” was certainly a standout, but it still didn’t elevate itself to being anything truly special.
3.5/5
“Sunshine and Whiskey” – Frankie Ballard
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
Forgettable and inconsequential. That’s two songs from Ballard that I could care less about one way or another. Ballard can’t even get me to hate him properly as I literally forget everything the guy does. I don't like his music. I also don't hate it enough to care.
1.5/5
“Somewhere In My Car” – Keith Urban
Number One on Country Airplay Chart
It’s a decent song that actually has something behind it, but I can’t help wishing for more. Urban used to put out some really memorable songs like “Raining on Sunday,” “You’ll Think of Me,” and “Tonight I Wanna Cry.” Now it just feels phoned in, perhaps from wherever he’s busy filming American Idol this week. Again, the song’s nothing to bitch and moan about, but it’s also not something to go out of your way to listen to.
3/5
“Shotgun Rider" - Tim McGraw
Number One on Country Songs Chart
Two in a row for McGraw now, helping to make up for the abysmal "Lookin' For That Girl." McGraw paints a great picture of a long-term relationship and being in something for the long haul, wanting to wake up every day next to the same person. If McGraw continues to release the right songs as singles from Sundown Heaven Town, he can help move country radio in the right direction.
WRAP-UP
So, where does that put the Number One songs from 2014 as a whole? The average stars given are 2.1 out of 5 (dragged down quite a bit by SIX songs getting 0 stars). Definitely not a banner year, but there were definitely a few bright spots scattered in the mix. And as many have noted, the bro-country trend has decreased, which is especially notable later in the year. Perhaps this provides some promise for 2015. That remains to be seen.