CMA Single of the Year Winners and Nominees
Explore every CMA Single of the Year winner, from the award’s earliest recipients through today’s biggest country hits.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: September 9, 2026
The CMA Single of the Year award recognizes an individual country recording, honoring the artist or artists, producer or producers, and mix engineer or engineers behind the release. Unlike CMA Song of the Year, which is awarded to the songwriters, Single of the Year focuses on the recorded performance and production.
Below is the complete list of CMA Single of the Year winners, along with information about the current award, past recipients, and notable records in the category.
CMA Single of the Year: Quick Facts
First awarded: 1967
Current winner: “you look like you love me” — Ella Langley & Riley Green (2025)
Previous winner: “White Horse” — Chris Stapleton (2024)
Who receives the award: Artist(s), producer(s), and mix engineer(s)
What the award recognizes: The recorded single, including the performance and production
Who votes: More than 7,000 professional members of the Country Music Association
2026 eligibility period: July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026
2026 CMA Single of the Year
The 2026 CMA Single of the Year nominees will be announced on September 10, 2026. The winner will be revealed during the 60th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
View the complete 2026 CMA Awards nominees and visit our 2026 CMA Awards guide for more information about this year’s awards.
Who Has the Most CMA Single of the Year Wins?
Chris Stapleton has the most wins in the Single of the Year category with a total of 3.
Chris Stapleton - 3 Wins
Johnny Cash, Lady A, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Lee Ann Womack - 2 Wins
John Anderson, The Band Perry, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Deana Carter, The Chicks, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels Band, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, George Jones, The Judds, The Kendalls, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Miranda Lambert, Kathy Mattea, Tim McGraw, John Michael Montgomery, Maren Morris, Anne Murray, Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Rich, Jeannie C. Riley, Kenny Rogers, Dan Seals, Sammi Smith, Sons of the Desert, Soggy Bottom Boys, Randy Travis, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Steve Wariner, Keith Whitley, Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Cody Johnson. - 1 Win
Who Has the Most CMA Single of the Year Nominations?
George Strait is the most-nominated act for Single of the Year with a total of 9.
George Strait - 9 Nominations
Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley - 8 Nominations
Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, and Willie Nelson - 7 Nominations
George Jones and Chris Stapleton - 6 Nominations
Johnny Cash, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Toby Keith, Kenny Rogers, and Blake Shelton - 5 Nominations
Glen Campbell, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Lainey Wilson, and Randy Travis - 4 Nominations
Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, The Judds, Little Big Town, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis, Merle Haggard, Dan + Shay, and Luke Combs - 3 Nominations
Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gabby Barrett, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Daniels Band, Jordan Davis, Sara Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Lee Greenwood, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Lady A, Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn, Lonestar, Barbara Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Anne Murray, Charlie Rich, Jerry Reed, Ricky Van Shelton, Sugarland, Cal Smith, Conway Twitty, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Don Williams, Lee Ann Womack - 2 Nominations
John Anderson, Lynn Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Big & Rich, Justin Bieber, Jimmy Buffett, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Rosanne Cash, Deana Carter, Kelly Clarkson, Jessi Colter, Earl Thomas Conley, Easton Corbin, Rodney Crowell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Linda Davis, John Denver, Diamond Rio, Dave & Sugar, Darryl Worley, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, David Frizzell, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Bobbie Gentry, Terri Gibbs, Vern Gosdin, Bobby Goldsboro, Jack Greene, Freddie Hart, Tom T. Hall, HARDY, Julio Iglesias, Jamey Johnson, Jelly Roll, Tracy Lawrence, Alison Krauss, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Kacey Musgraves, C.W. McCall, Mel McDaniel, Ronnie Milsap, John Michael Montgomery, Midland, The Kendalls, Kris Kristofferson, K.T. Oslin, Jon Pardi, Johnny Paycheck, Carly Pearce, Ray Price, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie C. Riley, LeAnn Rimes, Marty Robbins, Bebe Rexha, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, Ricky Van Shelton, The Soggy Bottom Boys, Sons of the Desert, Red Sovine, Kenny Starr, Ray Stevens, Wynn Stewart, The Tractors, B.J. Thomas, Shania Twain, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley, Lee Brice, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young, Dwight Yoakam, Faron Young, Post Malone, Barbara Mandrell, Olivia Newton- John, Oak Ridge Boys, The Chicks, The Band Perry, The O’Kanes, Diamond Rio, Linda Ronstadt, Darius Rucker, Sammi Smith, Jeannie C. Riley, Steve Wariner, Tammy Wynette, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Zach Top, Megan Moroney, Riley Green, and Ella Langley- 1 Nomination
CMA Single of the Year Winners and Nominees by Year
1967 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “There Goes My Everything” - Jack Greene
Nominees:
“Danny Boy” - Ray Price
“It's Such A Pretty World Today” - Wynn Stewart
“Ode To Billie Joe” - Bobbie Gentry
1968 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Harper Valley P.T.A.” - Jeannie C. Riley
Nominees:
“By The Time I Get To Phoenix” - Glen Campbell
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E” - Tammy Wynette
“Folsom Prison Blues” - Johnny Cash
“Honey” - Bobby Goldsboro
1969 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “A Boy Named Sue” - Johnny Cash
Nominees:
“All I Have To Offer You Is Me” - Charley Pride
“Daddy Sang Bass” - Johnny Cash
“Galveston” - Glen Campbell
“The Games People Play” - Freddy Weller
1970 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Okie From Muskogee” - Merle Haggard
Nominees:
“Fightin’ Side of Me” - Merle Haggard
“Hello Darlin” - Conway Twitty
“I'm So Afraid Of Losing You” - Charley Pride
“My Woman, My Woman, My Wife” - Marty Robbins
1971 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Help Me Make It Thru The Night” - Sammi Smith
Nominees:
“Amos Moses” - Jerry Reed
“Easy Loving” - Freddie Hart
“I Never Promised You A Rose Garden” - Lynn Anderson
“When You're Hot, You're Hot” - Jerry Reed
1972 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.” - Donna Fargo
Nominees:
“Four In The Morning” - Faron Young
“Kiss An Angel Good Morning” - Charley Pride
“One's On The Way” - Loretta Lynn
“To Get To You” - Jerry Wallace
1973 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Behind Closed Doors” - Charlie Rich
Nominees:
“Old Dogs, Children And Watermelon Wine” - Tom T. Hall
“Satin Sheets” - Jeanne Pruett
“The Lord Knows I'm Drinking” - Cal Smith
“Why Me Lord” - Kris Kristofferson
1974 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Country Bumpkin” - Cal Smith
Nominees:
“As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone” - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
“If You Love Me Let Me Know” - Olivia Newton-John
“The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” - Charlie Rich
“The Streak” - Ray Stevens
1975 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” - Freddy Fender
Nominees:
“Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” - B.J. Thomas
“I'm Not Lisa” - Jessi Colter
“Rhinestone Cowboy” - Glen Campbell
“Thank God I'm A Country Boy” - John Denver
1976 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Good Hearted Woman” - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
Nominees:
“Convoy” - C.W. McCall
“Teddy Bear” - Red Sovine
“The Blind Man In The Bleachers” - Kenny Starr
“The Door Is Always Open” - Dave & Sugar
1977 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Lucille” - Kenny Rogers
Nominees:
“It Was Almost Like A Song” - Ronnie Milsap
“Luckenbach, Texas” - Waylon Jennings
“Margaritaville” - Jimmy Buffett
“Southern Nights” - Glen Campbell
1978 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Heaven's Just A Sin Away” - The Kendalls
Nominees:
“Blue Bayou” - Linda Ronstadt
“Here You Come Again” - Dolly Parton
“Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
“Take This Job And Shove It” - Johnny Paycheck
1979 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” - Charlie Daniels Band
Nominees:
“Amanda” - Waylon Jennings
“If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right” - Barbara Mandrell
“The Gambler” - Kenny Rogers
“You Needed Me” - Anne Murray
1980 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “He Stopped Loving Her Today” - George Jones
Nominees:
“All The Gold In California” - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
“Coward Of The County” - Kenny Rogers
“Good Ole Boys Like Me” - Don Williams
“In America” - Charlie Daniels Band
1981 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Elvira” - Oak Ridge Boys
Nominees:
“I Believe In You” - Don Williams
“I Was Country (When Country Wasn't Cool)” - Barbara Mandrell
“Old Flame” - Alabama
“Somebody's Knockin” - Terri Gibbs
1982 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Always On My Mind” - Willie Nelson
Nominees:
“Crying My Heart Out Over You” - Ricky Skaggs
“I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home” - David Frizzell
“It Turns Me Inside Out” - Lee Greenwood
“Love In The First Degree” - Alabama
1983 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Swingin” - John Anderson
Nominees:
“Heartbroke” - Ricky Skaggs
“I Always Get Lucky With You” - George Jones
“I.O.U.” - Lee Greenwood
“Pancho And Lefty” - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
1984 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “A Little Good News” - Anne Murray
Nominees:
“Holding Her And Loving You” - Earl Thomas Conley
“Islands In The Stream” - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
“Mama He's Crazy” - The Judds
“To All The Girls I've Loved Before” - Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias
1985 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Why Not Me” - The Judds
Nominees:
“Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On” - Mel McDaniel
“Country Boy” - Ricky Skaggs
“Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” - George Strait
“Highwayman” - Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson
1986 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Bop” - Dan Seals
Nominees:
“Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)” - The Judds
“Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her” - George Strait
“On The Other Hand” - Randy Travis
“Whoever's In New England” - Reba McEntire
1987 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Forever and Ever, Amen” - Randy Travis
Nominees:
“All My Ex's Live In Texas” - George Strait
“Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You” - The O’Kanes
“The Right Left Hand” - George Jones
“Walk The Way The Wind Blows” - Kathy Mattea
1988 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses” - Kathy Mattea
Nominees:
“Do Ya” - K.T. Oslin
“I Told You So” - Randy Travis
“Somebody Lied” - Ricky Van Shelton
“Tennessee Flat Top Box” - Rosanne Cash
1989 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I'm No Stranger To The Rain” - Keith Whitley
Nominees:
“A Better Man” - Clint Black
“After All This Time” - Rodney Crowell
“Chiseled In Stone” - Vern Gosdin
“I'll Leave This World Loving You” - Ricky Van Shelton
1990 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “When I Call Your Name” - Vince Gill
Nominees:
“Here In The Real World” – Alan Jackson
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” – Garth Brooks
“Killin' Time” – Clint Black
“Where've You Been” – Kathy Mattea
1991 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Friends In Low Places” - Garth Brooks
Nominees:
“Don’t Rock The Jukebox” – Alan Jackson
“Don’t Tell Me What To Do” – Pam Tillis
“Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” – Travis Tritt
“Pocket Full of Gold” – Vince Gill
1992 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Achy Breaky Heart” - Billy Ray Cyrus
Nominees:
“I Feel Lucky” – Mary Chapin Carpenter
“Look At Us” – Vince Gill
“Love, Me” – Collin Raye
“Maybe It Was Memphis” – Pam Tillis
1993 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Chattahoochee” - Alan Jackson
Nominees:
“Ain’t That Lonely Yet” – Dwight Yoakam
“Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away” – Vince Gill
“I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair” – George Jones
“Two Sparrows In A Hurricane” – Tanya Tucker
1994 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I Swear” - John Michael Montgomery
Nominees:
“Does He Love You” - Reba McEntire and Linda Davis
“Don't Take The Girl” - Tim McGraw
“He Thinks He'll Keep Her” - Mary Chapin Carpenter
“How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” - Patty Loveless
1995 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “When You Say Nothing At All” - Alison Krauss & Union Station
Nominees:
“Any Man of Mine” - Shania Twain
“Baby Likes To Rock It” - The Tractors
“Gone Country” - Alan Jackson
“Keeper of the Stars” - Tracy Byrd
1996 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Check Yes Or No” - George Strait
Nominees:
“Blue” - LeAnn Rimes
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” - Vince Gill
“My Maria” - Brooks & Dunn
“Time Marches On” - Tracy Lawrence
1997 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Strawberry Wine” - Deana Carter
Nominees:
“All The Good Ones Are Gone” - Pam Tillis
“Carried Away” - George Strait
“Carrying Your Love with Me” - George Strait
“It’s Your Love” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
1998 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Holes In The Floor of Heaven” - Steve Wariner
Nominees:
“A Broken Wing” - Martina McBride
“I Just Want To Dance With You” - George Strait
“This Kiss” - Faith Hill
“You Don't Seem To Miss Me” - Patty Loveless and George Jones
1999 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Wide Open Spaces” - The Chicks
Nominees:
“Amazed” - Lonestar
“Choices” - George Jones
“Don’t Laugh At Me” - Mark Wills
“Please Remember Me” - Tim McGraw
2000 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I Hope You Dance” - Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert
Nominees:
“Breathe” - Faith Hill
“Buy Me a Rose” - Kenny Rogers
“He Didn’t Have To Be” - Brad Paisley
“How Do You Like Me Now?!” - Toby Keith
2001 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” - The Soggy Bottom Boys
Nominees:
“Ain't Nothing 'Bout You” - Brooks & Dunn
“Born To Fly” - Sara Evans
“I’m Already There” - Lonestar
“One More Day” - Diamond Rio
2002 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” - Alan Jackson
Nominees:
“Blessed” - Martina McBride
“Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)” - Toby Keith
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” - Alan Jackson
“I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)” - Brad Paisley
2003 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Hurt” - Johnny Cash
Nominees:
“Beer For My Horses” - Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
“Celebrity” - Brad Paisley
“Have You Forgotten?” - Darryl Worley
“Three Wooden Crosses” - Randy Travis
2004 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Live Like You Were Dying” - Tim McGraw
Nominees:
“I Love This Bar” - Toby Keith
“Redneck Woman” - Gretchen Wilson
“Remember When” - Alan Jackson
“Whiskey Lullaby” - Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
2005 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I May Hate Myself In The Morning” - Lee Ann Womack
Nominees:
“Alcohol” - Brad Paisley
“As Good As I Once Was” - Toby Keith
“Baby Girl” - Sugarland
“Bless The Broken Road” - Rascal Flatts
2006 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Believe” - Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
“Better Life” - Keith Urban
“Jesus Take The Wheel” - Carrie Underwood
“Summertime” - Kenny Chesney
“When I Get Where I'm Going” - Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton
2007 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Before He Cheats” - Carrie Underwood
Nominees:
“Anyway” - Martina McBride
“Lost In This Moment” - Big & Rich
“Ticks” - Brad Paisley
“Wrapped” - George Strait
2008 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I Saw God Today” - George Strait
Nominees:
“Don't Blink” - Kenny Chesney
“Gunpowder & Lead” - Miranda Lambert
“Stay” - Sugarland
“You're Gonna Miss This” - Trace Adkins
2009 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “I Run to You” - Lady A
Nominees:
“Chicken Fried” - Zac Brown Band
“In Color” - Jamey Johnson
“People Are Crazy” - Billy Currington
“Then” - Brad Paisley
2010 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Need You Now” - Lady A
Nominees:
“A Little More Country Than That” - Easton Corbin
“Hillbilly Bone” - Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins
“The House That Built Me” - Miranda Lambert
“White Liar” - Miranda Lambert
2011 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “If I Die Young” - The Band Perry
Nominees:
“A Little Bit Stronger” - Sara Evans
“Colder Weather” - Zac Brown Band
“Don't You Wanna Stay” - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
“Honey Bee” - Blake Shelton
2012 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Pontoon” - Little Big Town
Nominees:
“Dirt Road Anthem” - Jason Aldean
“God Gave Me You” - Blake Shelton
“Home” - Dierks Bentley
“Springsteen” - Eric Church
2013 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Cruise” - Florida Georgia Line
Nominees:
“Highway Don't Care” - Tim McGraw
“Mama's Broken Heart” - Miranda Lambert
“Merry Go 'Round” - Kacey Musgraves
“Wagon Wheel” - Darius Rucker
2014 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Automatic” - Miranda Lambert
Nominees:
“Drunk on a Plane” - Dierks Bentley
“Give Me Back My Hometown” - Eric Church
“Meanwhile Back at Mama's” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
“Mine Would Be You” - Blake Shelton
2015 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Girl Crush” - Little Big Town
Nominees:
“American Kids” - Kenny Chesney
“I Don't Dance” - Lee Brice
“Take Your Time” - Sam Hunt
“Talladega” - Eric Church
2016 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Die A Happy Man” - Thomas Rhett
Nominees:
“Humble and Kind” - Tim McGraw
“My Church” - Maren Morris
“Nobody To Blame” - Chris Stapleton
“Record Year” - Eric Church
2017 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Blue Ain't Your Color” - Keith Urban
Nominees:
“Better Man” - Little Big Town
“Body Like A Back Road” - Sam Hunt
“Dirt On My Boots” - Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” - Miranda Lambert
2018 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Broken Halos” - Chris Stapleton
Nominees:
“Drinkin’ Problem” - Midland
“Drowns the Whiskey” - Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert
“Meant To Be” - Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha
“Tequila” - Dan + Shay
2019 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “God's Country” - Blake Shelton
Nominees:
“Burning Man” - Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“GIRL” - Maren Morris
“Millionaire” - Chris Stapleton
“Speechless” - Dan + Shay
2020 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “The Bones” - Maren Morris
Nominees:
“10,000 Hours” - Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” - Luke Combs
“Bluebird” - Miranda Lambert
“I Hope” - Gabby Barrett
2021 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Starting Over” - Chris Stapleton
Nominees:
“Famous Friends” - Chris Young and Kane Brown
“Hell of a View” - Eric Church
“One Night Standards” - Ashley McBryde
“The Good Ones” - Gabby Barrett
2022 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “'Til You Can't” - Cody Johnson
Nominees:
“Buy Dirt” - Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“half of my hometown” - Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“You Should Probably Leave” - Chris Stapleton
2023 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “Fast Car” - Luke Combs
Nominees:
“Heart Like A Truck” - Lainey Wilson
“Need A Favor” - Jelly Roll
“Next Thing You Know” - Jordan Davis
“wait in the truck” - HARDY and Lainey Wilson
2024 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “White Horse” - Chris Stapleton
Nominees:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” - Shaboozey
“Dirt Cheap” - Cody Johnson
“I Had Some Help” - Post Malone and Morgan Wallen
“Watermelon Moonshine” - Lainey Wilson
2025 CMA Single of the Year
Winner: “You Look Like You Love Me” - Riley Green and Ella Langley
Nominees:
“4×4xU” - Lainey Wilson
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” - Luke Combs
“Am I Okay?” - Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” - Zach Top
Sources: CMA Awards official winners and nominees database.