Every Grammy Winner and Nominee for Best Country Song
A complete look at every nominee and winner since the category’s debut in 1964.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: December 21, 2025
The Grammy Award for Best Country Song was first presented in 1964 at the 7th Annual Grammy Awards. Roger Miller would claim the initial victory for his catchy hit “Dang Me,” a song that reached both country and pop audiences. Throughout the years, the award has been bestowed to crossover chart-toppers, significant cultural touchstones, and everything in-between. Keep reading to browse every nominee from 1964 through 2026.
The award is presented to the songwriters - artists who recorded the song will not receive a trophy for the win. At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, songs recorded by Tyler Childers, Shaboozey, Zach Top, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton are nominated for Best Country Song. The Grammys air live on CBS on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Find nominees, performers, and show details in this complete Grammy guide.
Grammy Category Guide: Best Country Song
- Most Grammy Best Country Songs Wins
- Most Grammy Best Country Song Nominations
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 60s
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 70s
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 80s
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 90s
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 2000s
- Grammy Best Country Song Winners in the 2010s
- Grammy Best Country Son Winners in the 2020s
Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Kacey Musgraves, and Chris Stapleton are tied with the most wins in the Best Country Song category with a total of three.
Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Kacey Musgraves, and Chris Stapleton - 3 Wins
Brandi Carlile, Vince Gill, John Jarvis, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Hillary Lindsey, Roger Miller, Josh Osborne, Paul Overstreet, Liz Rose, Don Schlitz, Billy Sherrill, Taylor Swift, Chris Tompkins, and Shania Twain- 2 Wins
Gary Baker, Bobby Boyd, Jim Brown, Larry Butler, Glen Campbell, Bob Carlisle, Wayne Carson, Robert Lee Castleman, Johnny Christopher, Dave Cobb, Rodney Crowell, J.T. Cure, Larry Gatlin, Steve Goodman, Jeff Hanna, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, John Hartford, Dave Haywood, Natalie Hemby, Don Henry, Mike Henderson, Marcus Hummon, Debbie Hupp, Alan Jackson, Brett James, Mark James, Naomi Judd, Charles Kelley, Kris Kristofferson, Luke Laird, Richard Leigh, Bill Mack, Derek Mixon, Chips Moman, Bob Morrison, Frank J. Myers, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Tim Nichols, Kenny O'Dell, Jamie O'Hara, KT Oslin, Dolly Parton, Ben Peters, Julian Raymond, Mike Reid, Marty Robbins, Matt Rogers, Don Rollins, Bobby Russell, Gordie Sampson, Mark D. Sanders, Hillary Scott, Tia Sillers, Shel Silverstein, Ben Stennis, Glenn Sutton, Randy Thomas, Tanya Tucker, Jon Vezner, Jimmy L. Webb, Lucinda Williams, Dan Wilson, Norris Wilson, and Craig Wiseman - 1 Win
Vince Gill is the most-nominated songwriter for Best Country Song with a total of ten.
Vince Gill - 10 Nominations
Shane McAnally - 9 Nominations
Ashley Gorley, Miranda Lambert, and Lori McKenna - 7 Nominations
Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton - 6 Nominations
Rodney Crowell, Hillary Lindsey, Maren Morris, Josh Osborne, Billy Sherrill, and Taylor Swift- 5 Nominations
Bill Anderson, Rory Bourke, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tom Douglas, Kris Kristofferson, Luke Laird, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Bob McDill, Don Schlitz, and Shania Twain - 4 Nominations
Casey Beathard, Matraca Berg, Bobby Braddock, Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Jesse Frasure, Dallas Frazier, Natalie Hemby, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Josh Kear, Lee Thomas Miller, Roger Miller, K.T. Oslin, Thomas Rhett, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose, and Laura Veltz- 3 Nominations
Jessi Alexander, Gary Baker, S. Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Black, Dewayne Blackwell, Steve Bogard, Brandi Carlile, Deana Carter, Robert Lee Castleman, Kerry Chater, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Tyler Childers, Rodney Clawson, Jim Collins, Sean Cook, Paul Craft, Monty Criswell, Zach Crowell, Dean Dillon, Tim DuBois, Donna Fargo, Kye Rhonda Fleming, Nicolle Galyon, Larry Gatlin, Pat Green, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Connie Harrington, Dave Haywood, Harlan Howard, Marcus Hummon, Jeff Hyde, John Jarvis, Archie Jordan, Charles Kelley, Richard Leigh, Loretta Lynn, Dave Loggins, David Malloy, Martie Maguire, Chase McGill, Chips Moman, Dennis W. Morgan, Bob Morrison, Frank J. Myers, Tim Nichols, Kenny O'Dell, Jamie O'Neal, Paul Overstreet, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Ben Peters, Gretchen Peters, Curly Putman, Mike Reid, Jordan Reynolds, John Rich, Marty Robbins, Austin Roberts, Bobby Russell, Nevin Sastry, Hillary Scott, Troy Seals, Dan Smyers, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Tompkins, Ryan Vojtesak, Steve Wariner, Dottie West, Gretchen Wilson, and Norris Wilson. - 2 Nominations
The following artists have received one nomination each:
(A) Rhett Akins, Andy Albert, Deborah Allen, Trannie Anderson, Ingrid Andress, Angelo, and Tony Arata
(B) Dave Barnes, Max D. Barnes, Cameron Bartolini, Brian Bates, Carl Belew, Louis Bell, Stephanie Bentley, Beyoncé, Clint Black, Odie Blackmon, Atia Boggs, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Roger Bowling, Bobby Boyd, Garth Brooks, Ed Bruce, Patsy Bruce, Casey Brown, Jim Brown, Junior Brown, Milton Brown, Zac Brown, Zach Bryan, Megan Bülow, Pat Bunch, Eddie Busch, busbee, Jeremy Bussey, Larry Butler, John Byron, and Hal Bynum.
(C) Glen Campbell, Buddy Cannon, Bob Carlisle, Hayes Carll, Jess Carson, Wayne Carson, Rosanne Cash, Melanie Spradlin Castleman, Todd Cerney, Carson Chamberlain, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Johnny Christopher, Guy Clark, Doris Clement, Dave Cobb, Hank Cochran, David Allen Coe, Phillip Coleman, Burton Banks Collins, Larry Collins, Jessi Colter, Luke Combs, Betsy Cook, Don Cook, Roger Cook, Ross Copperman, John Crutchfield, J.T. Cure, and Mike Curtis.
(D) Clint Daniels, Hal David, Billy Davis, Barry Dean, Roxie Dean, Jason DeFord, Maribeth Derry, Lewis DeWitt, Steve Diamond, Luke Dick, Steve Dorff, Sean Douglas, Lisa Drew, Cameron Duddy, Michael Dulaney, Holly Dunn, Ronnie Dunn, Jan Dyer, and Bob Dylan
(E) Steve Earle, Sam Ellis, Scotty Emerick, Bobby Emmons
(F) Nate Ferraro, Ian Fitchuk, Jenee Fleenor, Keith Follesé, Fred Foster, Radney Foster, Kendal Franceschi, and Glenn Frey
(G) Snuff Garrett, Jerry Gillespie, Tompall Glaser, Karen Taylor Good, Steve Goodman, Vern Gosdin, Larry Gottlieb, Amy Grant, Marv Green, Lee Greenwood, and Mickey Guyton
(H) Jeff Hanna, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, Ted Harris, Gary Harrison, Freddie Hart, Rhonda Hart, John Hartford, Alex Harvey, Ben Hayslip, Walker Hayes, Mike Henderson, Don Henley, Don Henry, John Hiatt, Ed Hill, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, David Hodges, Will Hoge, Sam Hogin, Hoskins, James House, Blake Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Debbie Hupp, and Ryan Hurd
(I) Jack Ingram, Jarrod Ingram
(J) Brett James, Mark James, Sonny James, Tim James, Josh Jenkins, Jaren Johnston, Mark Stephen Jones, Steven Dale Jones, Troy Jones, Homer Joy, and Naomi Judd
(K) Toby Keith, Vivian Keith, Mary Ann Kennedy, Jennifer Kimball, Dave Kirby, Wade Kirby, Billy Kirsch, Kostas, Sandy Knox, and Jay Knowles
(L) Clint Lagerberg, Holly Lamar, k.d. lang, Tony Lane, David Lee, Dickey Lee, Earl Bud Lee, Robin Lerner, Chris Lindsey, John Loudermilk, Kelley Lovelace, and Lyle Lovett
(M) Bill Mack, Natalie Maines, Wanda Mallette, Glenn Martin, Naomi Martin, Layng Martine Jr., Aimee Mayo, Jim McBride, Ashley McBryde, Richie McDonald, Vicky McGehee, Tim McGraw, Neal Merritt, Julia Michaels, Ben Mink, Derek Mixon, Keb' Mo', Shay Mooney, B.J. Moore, Jack Moran, Johnny Mullins, and David Lee Murphy
(N) Jennifer Nettles, Willie Nelson, David Neuhauser, Hayden Nicholas, Jon Nite, Dale Noe
(O) Dillon O'Brian, Jamie O'Hara, Steven Lee Olsen, Michael Omartian, James Otto, Randy Owen, A. L. Owens, Will Owsley
(P) Drew Parker, Fred Parris, Eric Paslay, Gary S. Paxton, John Peppard, Ed Penny, Ray Pennington, Betty Sue Perry, Kimberly Perry, Taylor Phillips, Sandy Pinkard, Bobby Pinson, Anita Pointer, Bonnie Pointer, Michael Ross Pollack, Justin Pollard, Austin Post, and Quentin Powers
(R) Eddie Rabbitt, Matthew Ramsey, Jon Randall, Julian Raymond, Bob Regan, Bill Rice, Charlie Rich, Kim Richey, Kent M. Robbins, Tommy Rocco, Don Robertson, Emily Robison, Annie Roboff, Steve Robson, Matt Rogers, Sam Elliot Roman, Don Rollins, Fred Rose, Pam Rose, Patti Russell, Rivers Rutherford, and Deric Ruttan
(S) Raphael Saadiq, Gordie Sampson, Mark D. Sanders, Darrell Scott, Geno Seale, Matt Serletic, Lyndia J. Shafer, Sanger D. Shafer, Allen Shamblin, Lisa Silver, Shel Silverstein, Tia Sillers, Jonathan Singleton, James Slater, Ernest Smith, Shaye Smith, Stephony Smith, John Martin Sommers, Joe South, John David Souther, Derrick Southerland, Joe Spargur, Fred Spielman, Keith Stegall, Ben Stennis, Even Stevens, Shane Stevens, Billy Stritch, Don Sumner, and Glenn Sutton
(T) Daniel Tashian, Annie Tate, Sam Tate, Bernie Taupin, Randy Thomas, Linda Thompson, Sonny Tillis, Bobby Tomberlin, Zach Top, Janice Torre, Jacob Torrey, Travis Tritt, Glenn Tubb, Bob Tubert, Tanya Tucker, Jeffrey Tweel, Conway Twitty, Ryan Tyndell, Don von Tress.
(V) Rafe Van Hoy, Jon Vezner
(W) Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Jimmy L. Webb, Parker Welling, Bill West, Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr., Lucinda Williams, Robert Williford, Dan Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Craig Wiseman, Bobby Wood, Adam Wright, Tammy Wynette, and Mark Wystrach
(Y) Billy Yates, Jimmy Yeary, and Dwight Yoakam
Award is presented to songwriters. Performing artist is listed in parenthesis.
1964
Winner: “Dang Me”
Songwriter: Roger Miller (Roger Miller)
Nominees:
“You’re the Only World I Know”
Songwriters: Sonny James and Bob Tubert (Sonny James)
“Wine, Women, and Song”
Songwriter: Betty Sue Perry (Loretta Lynn)
“Once A Day”
Songwriter: Bill Anderson (Connie Smith)
“Here Comes My Baby”
Songwriters: Bill West and Dottie West (Dottie West)
1965
Winner: “King of the Road”
Songwriter: Roger Miller (Roger Miller)
Nominees:
“What’s He Doing In My World”
Songwriters: Carl Belew, Eddie Busch, and B.J. Moore (Eddy Arnold)
“May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose”
Songwriter: Neal Merritt (Little Jimmy Dickens)
“Flowers on the Wall”
Songwriter: Lewis DeWitt (Statler Brothers)
“Crystal Chandelier”
Songwriter: Ted Harris (Carl Belew)
1966
Winner: “Almost Persuaded”
Songwriters: Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton (David Houston)
Nominees:
“There Goes My Everything”
Songwriter: Dallas Frazier (Jack Greene)
“Streets of Baltimore”
Songwriters: Tompall Glaser and Harlan Howard (Bobby Bare)
“Husbands and Wives”
Songwriter: Roger Miller (Roger Miller)
“Don’t Touch Me”
Songwriter: Hank Cochran (Jeannie Seely)
1967
Winner: “Gentle On My Mind”
Songwriter: John Hartford (Glen Campbell)
Nominees:
“It’s Such a Pretty World Today”
Songwriter: Dale Noe (Wynn Stewart)
“Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger”
Songwriters: Doris Clement, John Crutchfield, and Don Robertson (Charley Pride)
“Cold Hard Facts of Life”
Songwriter: Bill Anderson (Porter Wagoner)
“Break My Mind”
Songwriter: John Loudermilk (George Hamilton IV)
1968
Winner: “Little Green Apples”
Songwriter: Bobby Russell (Roger Miller)
Nominees:
“Skip A Rope”
Songwriters: Jack Moran and Glenn Tubb (Henson Cargill)
“Honey”
Songwriter: Bobby Russell (Bobby Goldsboro)
“Harper Valley P.T.A”
Songwriter: Tom T. Hall (Jeannie C. Riley)
“D-I-V-O-R-C-E”
Songwriters: Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman (Tammy Wynette)
1969
Winner: “A Boy Named Sue”
Songwriter: Shel Silverstein (Johnny Cash)
Nominees:
“You Gave Me A Mountain”
Songwriter: Marty Robbins (Marty Robbins)
“The Things That Matter”
Songwriter: Don Sumner (Van Trevor)
“Stand By Your Man”
Songwriters: Billy Sherrill & Tammy Wynette, songwriters (Tammy Wynette)
“All I Have To Offer You Is Me”
Songwriters: Dallas Frazier and A. L. Owens (Charley Pride)
1970
Winner: “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife”
Songwriter: Marty Robbins (Marty Robbins)
Nominees:
“Wonder Could I Live There Anymore”
Songwriter: Bill Rice (Charley Pride)
“The Fightin’ Side of Me”
Songwriter: Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard)
“Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone”
Songwriters: Dave Kirby and Glenn Martin (Charley Pride)
“Hello Darlin’”
Songwriter: Conway Twitty (Conway Twitty)
1971
Winner: “Help Me Make It Through The Night”
Songwriter: Kris Kristofferson (Sammi Smith)
Nominees:
“Rose Garden”
Songwriter: Joe South (Lynn Anderson)
“Me and Bobby McGee”
Songwriters: Fred Foster and Kris Kristofferson (Kris Kristofferson)
“For The Good Times”
Songwriter: Kris Kristofferson (Ray Price)
“Easy Loving”
Songwriter: Freddie Hart (Freddie Hart)
1972
Winner: “Kiss An Angel Good Morning”
Songwriter: Ben Peters (Charley Pride)
Nominees:
“Woman (Sensuous Woman)”
Songwriter: Gary S. Paxton (Don Gibson)
“Happiest Girl in the Whole USA”
Songwriter: Donna Fargo (Donna Fargo)
“Funny Face”
Songwriters: Donna Fargo (Donna Fargo)
“Delta Dawn”
Songwriter: Alex Harvey (Tanya Tucker)
1973
Winner: “Behind Closed Doors”
Songwriter: Kenny O'Dell (Charlie Rich)
Nominees:
“Why Me”
Songwriter: Kris Kristofferson (Kris Kristofferson)
“The Most Beautiful Girl”
Songwriters: Rory Bourke, Billy Sherrill, and Norris Wilson (Charlie Rich)
“Country Sunshine”
Songwriters: Billy Davis and Dottie West (Dottie West)
“(Old Dogs…Children And) Watermelon Wine”
Songwriter: Tom T. Hall (Tom T. Hall)
1974
Winner: “A Very Special Love Song”
Songwriters: Billy Sherrill & Norris Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Rich)
Nominees:
“Paper Roses”
Songwriter: Fred Spielman and Janice Torre (Marie Osmond)
“If We Make It Through December”
Songwriter: Merle Haggard (Merle Haggard)
“I’m A Ramblin’ Man”
Songwriter: Ray Pennington (Waylon Jennings)
“Fairytale”
Songwriters: Anita Pointer and Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters)
1975
Winner: “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song”
Songwriters: Larry Butler and Chips Moman (B.J. Thomas)
Nominees:
“Thank God I’m A Country Boy”
Songwriter: John Martin Sommers (John Denver)
“I’m Not Lisa”
Songwriter: Jessi Colter (Jessi Colter)
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”
Songwriter: Fred Rose (Willie Nelson)
“Before The Next Teardrop Falls”
Songwriters: Vivian Keith and Ben Peters (Freddy Fender)
1976
Winner: “Broken Lady”
Songwriter: Larry Gatlin (Larry Gatlin)
Nominees:
“The Door Is Always Open”
Songwriters: Dickey Lee and Bob McDill (Dave & Sugar)
“Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life”
Songwriters: Paul Craft (Moe Bandy)
“Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)”
Songwriters: Charlie Rich and Billy Sherrill (Charlie Rich)
“Dropkick Me, Jesus”
Songwriter: Paul Craft (Bobby Bare)
1977
Winner: “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”
Songwriters: Richard Leigh (Crystal Gayle)
Nominees:
“Luckenbach Texas”
Songwriters: Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman (Waylon Jennings)
“Lucille”
Songwriters: Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum (Kenny Rogers)
“It Was Almost Like A Song”
Songwriters: Hal David and Archie Jordan (Ronnie Milsap)
“Desperado”
Songwriters: Glenn Frey and Don Henley (Eagles)
1978
Winner: “The Gambler”
Songwriters: Don Schlitz (Kenny Rogers)
Nominees:
“Take This Job and Shove It”
Songwriters: David Allen Coe (Johnny Paycheck)
“Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”
Songwriters: Ed Bruce and Patsy Bruce (Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson)
“Let’s Take The Long Way Around This World”
Songwriters: Archie Jordan and Naomi Martin (Ronnie Milsap)
“Every Time Two Fools Coolide”
Songwriters: Jan Dyer and Jeffrey Tweel (Kenny Rogers & Dottie West)
1979
Winner: “You Decorated My Life”
Songwriters: Debbie Hupp and Bob Morrison (Kenny Rogers)
Nominees:
“Every Which Way But Loose”
Songwriters: Milton Brown, Steve Dorff, and Snuff Garrett (Eddie Rabbitt)
“Blue Kentucky Girl”
Songwriter: Johnny Mullins (Emmylou Harris)
“All The Gold in California”
Songwriters: Larry Gatlin (Larry Gatlin And The Gatlin Brothers Band)
1980
Winner: “On The Road Again”
Songwriter: Willie Nelson (Willie Nelson)
Nominees:
“Lookin’ For Love”
Songwriters: Wanda Mallette, Bob Morrison, and Patti Russell (Johnny Lee)
“I Believe In You”
Songwriters: Roger Cook and Sam Hogin (Don Williams)
“He Stopped Loving Her Today”
Songwriters: Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman (George Jones)
“Drivin’ My Life Away”
Songwriters: David Malloy, Eddie Rabbitt & Even Stevens, songwriters (Eddie Rabbitt)
1981
Winner: “9 to 5”
Songwriter: Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton)
Nominees:
“You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma”
Songwriters: Larry Collins and Sandy Pinkard (David Frizzel And Shelly West)
“Somebody’s Knockin’”
Songwriters: Jerry Gillespie and Ed Penny
“I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”
Songwriters: "Kye" Rhonda Fleming and Dennis W. Morgan (Barbara Mandrell)
“Elvira”
Songwriter: Dallas Frazier (Oak Ridge Boys)
1982
Winner: “Always On My Mind”
Songwriters: Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, Mark James (Willie Nelson)
Nominees:
“She Got The Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)”
Songwriter: Tim DuBois (Jerry Reed)
“Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands”
Songwriters: Kerry Chater and Austin Roberts (Lee Greenwood)
“Nobody”
Songwriters: "Kye" Rhonda Fleming and Dennis W. Morgan, songwriters (Sylvia)
“I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home”
Songwriter: Dewayne Blackwell (David Frizzell)
1983
Winner: “Stranger In My House”
Songwriter: Mike Reid (Ronnie Milsap)
Nominees:
“Lady Down on Love”
Songwriter: Randy Owen (Alabama)
“I.O.U”
Songwriters: Kerry Chater and Austin Roberts (Lee Greenwood)
“Baby I Lied”
Songwriters: Deborah Allen, Rory Bourke, Rafe Van Hoy (Deborah Allen)
“A Little Good News”
Songwriter: Charlie Black, Rory Bourke, and Tommy Rocco (Anne Murray)
1984
Winner: “City Of New Orleans”
Songwriter: Steve Goodman (Willie Nelson)
Nominees:
“Mama, He’s Crazy”
Songwriter: Kenny O'Dell (The Judds)
“God Bless The U.S.A”
Songwriter: Lee Greenwood (Lee Greenwood)
“Faithless Love”
Songwriter: John David Souther (Glen Campbell)
“All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Toight”
Songwriter: Hank Williams Jr. (Hank Williams Jr.)
1985
Winner: “Highwayman”
Songwriter: Jimmy L. Webb (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson)
Nominees:
“Love Is Alive”
Songwriter: Kent M. Robbins (The Judds)
“Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In The Still of the Night”
Songwriters: Fred Parris, Mike Reid, and Troy Seals (Ronnie Milsap)
“I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me”
Songwriters: Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell (Rosanne Cash)
“Forty-Hour Week (For A Livin’”
Songwriters: Dave Loggins, Don Schlitz, and Lisa Silver (Alabama)
“Desperados Waiting For A Train”
Songwriter: Guy Clark (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson)
“Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On”
Songwriter: Bob McDill (Mel McDaniel)
1986
Winner: “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)”
Songwriter: Jamie O'Hara, songwriter (The Judds)
Nominees:
“Whoever’s In New England”
Songwriters: Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers (Reba McEntire)
“Guitars, Cadillacs”
Songwriter: Dwight Yoakam (Dwight Yoakam)
“Guitar Town”
Songwriter: Steve Earle (Steve Earle)
“Daddy’s Hands”
Songwriter: Holly Dunn (Holly Dunn)
1987
Winner: “Forever and Ever Amen”
Songwriters: Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz (Randy Travis)
Nominees:
“Tellin’ Me Lies”
Songwriters: Betsy Cook and Linda Thompson (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris)
“I’ll Still Be Loving You”
Songwriters: Pat Bunch, Todd Cerney, Mary Ann Kennedy, and Pam Rose (Restless Heart)
“All My Ex’s Live In Texas”
Songwriters: Lyndia J. Shafer and Sanger D. Shafer (George Strait)
“80’s Ladies”
Songwriter: K.T. Oslin (K.T. Oslin)
1988
Winner: “Hold Me”
Songwriter: K.T. Oslin (K.T. Oslin)
Nominees:
“Streets of Bakersfield”
Songwriter: Homer Joy (Dwight Yoakam And Buck Owens)
“She’s No Lady”
Songwriter: Lyle Lovett (Lyle Lovett)
“I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried”
Songwriter: Rodney Crowell (Rodney Crowell)
“Chiseled In Stone”
Songwriters: Max D. Barnes & Vern Gosdin (Vern Gosdin)
1989
Winner: “After All This Time”
Songwriter: Rodney Crowell (Rodney Crowell)
Nominees:
“There’s A Tear in My Beer”
Songwriter: Hank Williams Sr. (Hank Williams Sr. And Hank Williams Jr.)
“She Don’t Love Nobody”
Songwriter: John Hiatt (Desert Rose Band)
“Luck In My Eyes”
Songwriters: k.d. lang and Ben Mink (k.d. lang)
“A Better Man”
Songwriters: Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas (Clint Black)
1990
Winner: “Where’ve You Been”
Songwriters: Don Henry and Jon Vezner (Kathy Mattea)
Nominees:
“When I Call Your Name”
Songwriters: Tim DuBois and Vince Gill (Vince Gill)
“The Dance”
Songwriter: Tony Arata (Garth Brooks)
“Friends In Low Places”
Songwriters: Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee (Garth Brooks)
“Come Next Monday”
Songwriters: Charlie Black, Rory Michael Bourke, and K.T. Oslin (K. T. Oslin)
1991
Winner: “Love Can Build A Bridge”
Songwriters: John Jarvis, Naomi Judd, and Paul Overstreet (The Judds)
Nominees:
“Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”
Songwriter: Travis Tritt (Travis Tritt)
“Eagle When She Flies”
Songwriter: Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton)
“Down At The Twist and Shout”
Songwriter: Mary Chapin Carpenter (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
Songwriters: Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah, and Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson)
1992
Winner: “I Still Believe In You”
Songwriters: Vince Gill and John Jarvis (Vince Gill)
Nominees:
“The Greatest Man I Never Knew”
Songwriters: Richard Leigh and Layng Martine Jr. (Reba McEntire)
“She Is His Only Need”
Songwriter: Dave Loggins (Wynonna Judd)
“I Feel Lucky”
Songwriters: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Don Schlitz (Mary-Chapin Carpenter)
“Achy Breaky Heart”
Songwriter: Don von Tress (Billy Ray Cyrus)
1993
Winner: “Passionate Kisses”
Songwriter: Lucinda Williams (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Nominees:
“The Hard Way”
Songwriter: Mary Chapin Carpenter (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“Does He Love You”
Songwriters: Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch (Reba McEntire And Linda Davis)
“Chattahoochee”
Songwriters: Alan Jackson and Jim McBride (Alan Jackson)
“Ain’t That Lonely Yet”
Songwriters: James House and Kostas (Dwight Yoakam)
1994
Winner: “I Swear”
Songwriters: Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers (John Michael Montgomery)
Nominees:
“When Love Finds You”
Songwriters: Vince Gill and Michael Omartian (Vince Gill)
“Shut Up and Kiss Me”
Songwriter: Mary Chapin Carpenter (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“Independence Day”
Songwriter: Gretchen Peters (Martina McBride)
“How Can I Help You Say Good-Bye”
Songwriters: Burton Banks Collins and Karen Taylor Good (Patty Loveless)
1995
Winner: “Go Rest High On That Mountain”
Songwriter: Vince Gill (Vince Gill)
Nominees:
“You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”
Songwriter: Gretchen Peters (Patty Loveless)
“I Can Love You Like That”
Songwriters: Maribeth Derry, Steve Diamond, and Jennifer Kimball (John Michael Montgomery)
“Gone Country”
Songwriter: Bob McDill (Alan Jackson)
“Any Man of Mine”
Songwriters: Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain (Shania Twain)
1996
Winner: “Blue”
Songwriter: Bill Mack (LeAnn Rimes)
Nominees:
“Strawberry Wine”
Songwriters: Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison (Deana Carter)
“My Wife Thinks You’re Dead”
Songwriter: Junior Brown (Junior Brown)
“High Lonesome Sound”
Songwriter: Vince Gill (Vince Gill)
“Believe Me Baby (I Lied)”
Songwriters: Angelo, Larry Gottlieb, and Kim Richey (Trisha Yearwood)
1997
Winner: “Butterfly Kisses”
Songwriters: Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas (Bob Carlisle, Jeff Carson & Raybon Bros.)
Nominees:
“It’s Your Love”
Songwriter: Stephony Smith (Tim McGraw With Faith Hill)
“In Another’s Eyes”
Songwriters: Garth Brooks, John Peppard, and Bobby Wood (Trisha Yearwood And Garth Brooks)
“Did I Shave My Legs For This”
Songwriters: Deana Carter and Rhonda Hart (Deana Carter)
“All The Good Ones Are Gone”
Songwriters: Dean Dillon and Bob McDill (Pam Tillis)
1998
Winner: “You’re Still The One”
Songwriters: Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain (Shania Twain)
Nominees:
“To Make You Feel My Love”
Songwriter: Bob Dylan (Garth Brooks)
“This Kiss”
Songwriters: Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner, and Annie Roboff (Faith Hill)
“If You Ever Have Forever In Mind”
Songwriters: Vince Gill and Troy Seals (Vince Gill)
“Holes in the Floor of Heaven”
Songwriters: Billy Kirsch and Steve Wariner (Steve Wariner)
1999
Winner: “Come On Over”
Songwriters: Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain (Shania Twain)
Nominees:
“Two Teardrops”
Songwriters: Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner (Steve Wariner)
“Ready To Run”
Songwriters: Marcus Hummon and Martie Seidel (The Chicks)
“Choices”
Songwriters: Mike Curtis and Billy Yates (George Jones)
“Amazed”
Songwriters: Marv Green, Chris Lindsey, and Aimee Mayo (Lonestar)
2000
Winner: “I Hope You Dance”
Songwriters: Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers (Lee Ann Womack)
Nominees:
“The Way You Love Me”
Songwriters: Michael Dulaney and Keith Follesé (Faith Hill)
“One Voice”
Songwriters: Don Cook and David Malloy (Billy Gilman)
“Feels Like Love”
Songwriter: Vince Gill (Vince Gill)
“Breathe”
Songwriters: Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar (Faith Hill)
2001
Winner: “The Lucky One”
Songwriter: Robert Lee Castleman (Alison Krauss & Union Station)
Nominees:
“When I Think About Angels”
Songwriters: Roxie Dean, Jamie O'Neal, and Sonny Tillis (Jamie O'Neal)
“There Is No Arizona”
Songwriters: Lisa Drew, Jamie O'Neal, and Shaye Smith (Jamie O'Neal)
“One More Day”
Songwriters: Steven Dale Jones and Bobby Tomberlin (Diamond Rio)
“I’m Already There”
Songwriters: Gary Baker, Richie McDonald, and Frank J. Myers (Lonestar)
2002
Winner: “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”
Songwriter: Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson)
Nominees:
“Three Days”
Songwriters: Radney Foster and Pat Green (Pat Green)
“Mendocino County Line”
Songwriters: Matt Serletic and Bernie Taupin (Willie Nelson With Lee Ann Womack)
“Long Time Gone”
Songwriter: Darrell Scott (The Chicks)
“The Impossible”
Songwriters: Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller (Joe Nichols)
2003
Winner: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”
Songwriters: Jim Brown and Don Rollins (Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett)
Nominees:
“Wave on Wave”
Songwriters: Pat Green, David Neuhauser, and Justin Pollard (Pat Green)
“Forever and For Always”
Songwriters: Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain (Shania Twain)
“Celebrity”
Songwriter: Brad Paisley (Brad Paisley)
“Beer For My Horses”
Songwriters: Scotty Emerick and Toby Keith (Willie Nelson & Toby Keith)
2004
Winner: “Live Like You Were Dying”
Songwriters: Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw)
Nominees:
“Redneck Woman”
Songwriters: John Rich and Gretchen Wilson (Gretchen Wilson)
“Portland Oregon”
Songwriter: Loretta Lynn (Loretta Lynn & Jack White)
“Miss Being Mrs.”
Songwriter: Loretta Lynn (Loretta Lynn)
“It’s Hard To Kiss The Lips That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long”
Songwriters: Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill (The Notorious Cherry Bombs)
2005
Winner: “Bless the Broken Road”
Songwriters: Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna, and Marcus Hummon (Rascal Flatts)
Nominees:
“I May Hate Myself in the Morning”
Songwriter: Odie Blackmon (Lee Ann Womack)
“I Hope”
Songwriters: Keb' Mo', Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, and Emily Robison (The Chicks)
“All Jacked Up”
Songwriters: Vicky McGehee, John Rich, and Gretchen Wilson (Gretchen Wilson)
“Alcohol”
Songwriter: Brad Paisley (Brad Paisley)
2006
Winner: “Jesus, Take The Wheel”
Songwriters: Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, and Gordie Sampson (Carrie Underwood)
Nominees:
“What Hurts The Most”
Songwriters: Steve Robson and Jeffrey Steele (Rascal Flatts)
“Like Red on a Rose”
Songwriters: Melanie Spradlin Castleman and Robert Lee Castleman (Alan Jackson)
“I Don’t Feel Like Loving You Today”
Songwriters: Matraca Berg and Jim Collins (Gretchen Wilson)
“Every Mile A Memory”
Songwriters: S. Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, and Steve Bogard (Dierks Bentley)
2007
Winner: “Before He Cheats”
Songwriters: Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood)
Nominees:
“Long Trip Alone”
Songwriters: S. Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, and Steve Bogard (Dierks Bentley)
“If You’re Reading This”
Songwriters: Tim McGraw, Brad Warren, Brett Warren (Tim McGraw)
“I Need You”
Songwriters: Tony Lane and David Lee (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill)
“Give It Away”
Songwriters: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, and Jamey Johnson (George Strait)
2008
Winner: “Stay”
Songwriter: Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland)
Nominees:
“You’re Gonna Miss This”
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller (Trace Adkins)
“In Color”
Songwriters: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, and James Otto (Jamey Johnson)
“I Saw God Today”
Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, and Wade Kirby (George Strait)
“Dig Two Graves”
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley and Bob Regan (Randy Travis)
2009
Winner: “White Horse”
Songwriters: Liz Rose and Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
Nominees:
“People Are Crazy”
Songwriters: Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones (Billy Currington)
“I Run To You”
Songwriters: Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott (Lady A)
“High Cost of Living”
Songwriters: Jamey Johnson and James Slater (Jamey Johnson)
“All I Ask for Anymore”
Songwriters: Casey Beathard and Tim James (Trace Adkins)
2010
Winner: “Need You Now”
Songwriters: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott (Lady A)
Nominees:
“If I Die Young”
Songwriter: Kimberly Perry
“I’d Love To Be Your Last”
Songwriters: Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate, and Sam Tate (Gretchen Wilson)
“The House That Built Me”
Songwriters: Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin (Miranda Lambert)
“Free”
Songwriter: Zac Brown (Zac Brown Band)
“The Breath You Take”
Songwriter: Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon, and Jessie Jo Dillon (George Strait)
2011
Winner: “Mean”
Songwriter: Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
Nominees:
“You and Tequila”
Songwriters: Matraca Berg and Deana Carter (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)
“Threaten Me With Heaven”
Songwriters: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Dillon O'Brian, and Will Owsley (Vince Gill)
“Just Fishin’”
Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, and Ed Hill (Trace Adkins)
“God Gave Me You”
Songwriter: Dave Barnes (Blake Shelton)
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Songwriters: Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy (Thompson Square)
2012
Winner: “Blown Away”
Songwriters: Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood)
Nominees:
“Springsteen”
Songwriters: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, and Ryan Tyndell (Eric Church)
“So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
Songwriters: Jay Knowles and Adam Wright (Alan Jackson)
“Even It It Breaks Your Heart”
Songwriters: Will Hoge and Eric Paslay (Eli Young Band)
“Cost of Livin’”
Songwriters: Phillip Coleman and Ronnie Dunn (Ronnie Dunn)
2013
Winner: “Merry Go-Round”
Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgrave, and Josh Osborne (Kacey Musgraves)
Nominees:
“Mine Would Be You”
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Deric Ruttan (Blake Shelton)
“Mama’s Broken Heart”
Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves (Miranda Lambert)
“I Drive Your Truck”
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary (Lee Brice)
“Begin Again”
Songwriter: Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
2014
Winner: “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”
Songwriters: Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell)
Nominees:
“Meanwhile Back At Mamas”
Songwriters: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, and Jeffrey Steele (Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill)
“Give Me Back My Hometown”
Songwriters: Eric Church and Luke Laird (Eric Church)
“Automatic”
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert)
“American Kids”
Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally (Kenny Chesney)
2015
Winner: “Girl Crush”
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose (Little Big Town)
Nominees:
“Traveller”
Songwriter: Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
“Hold My Hand”
Songwriters: Brandy Clark and Mark Stephen Jones (Brandy Clark)
“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools”
Songwriters: Barry Dean, Luke Laird, and Jonathan Singleton (Tim McGraw)
“Chances Are”
Songwriter: Hayes Carll (Lee Ann Womack)
2016
Winner: “Humble and Kind”
Songwriter: Lori McKenna (Tim McGraw)
Nominees:
“Vice”
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne (Miranda Lambert)
“My Church”
Songwriters: busbee and Maren Morris (Maren Morris)
“Die A Happy Man”
Songwriters: Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur (Thomas Rhett)
“Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Songwriters: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, and Steven Lee Olsen (Keith Urban)
2017
Winner: "Broken Halos"
Songwriters: Mike Henderson and Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
Nominees:
“Tin Man”
Songwriters: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall (Miranda Lambert)
“Drinkin’ Problem”
Songwriters: Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Mark Wystrach (Midland)
“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne (Sam Hunt)
“Better Man”
Songwriter: Taylor Swift (Little Big Town)
2018
Winner: “Space Cowboy”
Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves (Kacey Musgraves)
Nominees:
“When Someone Stops Loving You”
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill, and Lori McKenna (Little Big Town)
“Tequila”
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, and Dan Smyers (Dan + Shay)
“I Lived It”
Songwriters: Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, and Ben Hayslip (Blake Shelton)
“Dear Hate”
Songwriters: Tom Douglas, David Hodges, and Maren Morris (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill)
“Breakup in the End”
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill, and Jon Nite (Cole Swindell)
2019
Winner: "Bring My Flowers Now"
Songwriters: Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, Tanya Tucker (Tanya Tucker)
Nominees:
“Speechless”
Songwriters: Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers, and Laura Veltz (Dan + Shay)
“Some of It”
Songwriters: Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, and Bobby Pinson (Eric Church)
“It All Comes Out in the Wash”
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose (Miranda Lambert)
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere”
Songwriters: Jeremy Bussey and Ashley McBryde (Ashley McBryde)
2020
Winner: “Crowded Table”
Songwriters: Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna (The Highwomen)
Nominees:
“Some People Do”
Songwriters: Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey, and Thomas Rhett (Old Dominion)
“More Hearts Than Mine”
Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, and Derrick Southerland (Ingrid Andress)
“The Bones”
Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, and Laura Veltz (Maren Morris)
“Bluebird”
Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert)
2021
Winner: "Cold"
Songwriters: Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon, and Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
Nominees:
“Remember Her Name”
Songwriters: Mickey Guyton, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram, and Parker Welling (Mickey Guyton)
“Fancy Like”
Songwriters: Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, and Shane Stevens (Walker Hayes)
“Country Again”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, and Thomas Rhett (Thomas Rhett)
“camera roll”
Songwriters: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, and Daniel Tashian Kacey Musgraves)
“Better Than We Found It”
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, and Laura Veltz (Maren Morris)
2022
Winner: 'Til You Can't"
Songwriters: Matt Rogers and Ben Stennis (Cody Johnson)
Nominees:
“I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die”
Songwriters: Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton (Willie Nelson)
“If I Was A Cowboy”
Songwriters: Jesse Frasure and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert)
“I Bet You Think About Me”
Songwriters: Lori McKenna and Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift Featuring Chris Stapleton)
“Doin’ This”
Songwriters: Luke Combs, Drew Parker, and Robert Williford (Luke Combs)
“Circles Around This Town”
Songwriters: Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Maren Morris, and Jimmy Robbins (Maren Morris)
2023
Winner: "White Horse"
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson
Nominees:
“Last Night”
Songwriters: John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, and Ryan Vojtesak (Morgan Wallen)
“In Your Love”
Songwriters: Tyler Childers and Geno Seale (Tyler Childers)
“I Remember Everything”
Songwriters: Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves (Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves)
“Buried”
Songwriters: Brandy Clark and Jessie Jo Dillon (Brandy Clark)
2024
Winner: “The Architect”
Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, and Josh Osborne (Kacey Musgraves)
Nominees:
“Texas Hold ‘Em”
Songwriters: Brian Bates, Atia Boggs, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro, and Raphael Saadiq
“I Had Some Help”
Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen, and Chandler Paul Walters (Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen)
“I Am Not Okay”
Songwriters: Casey Brown, Jason DeFord, Ashley Gorley, and Taylor Phillips (Jelly Roll)
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Songwriters: Sean Cook, Chibueze Collins Obinna, and Nevin Sastry (Shaboozey)
2025
Nominees:
“A Song To Sing”
Songwriters: Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Miranda Lambert And Chris Stapleton)
“Somewhere Over Laredo”
Songwriters: Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson & Lainey Wilson, songwriters (Lainey Wilson)
“I Never Lie”
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols & Zach Top, songwriters (Zach Top)
“Good News”
Songwriters: Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Michael Ross Pollack, Sam Elliot Roman, Nevin Sastry & Jacob Torrey, songwriters (Shaboozey)
“Bitin’ List”
Songwriter: Tyler Childers (Tyler Childers)
Country Music News
Every nominee and winner that has shaped the Grammy’s Best Country Song category since 1964.