20 of the greatest love songs in country music history

Released by Charley Pride in 1971, this cheery bit of relationship advice was a crossover success on the country and pop charts. Since its release, "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" remains one of the genre's best love songs and has been covered by everyone from George Jones to Alan Jackson. 

Conway Twitty certainly knows his way around a love song, and 1970's "Hello Darlin'" is among his finest. A favorite of his live audiences everywhere, Twitty's rendition of this legendary love song was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, six years after his death. 

Whether you prefer the Keith Whitley original or the chart-topping Alison Krauss cover, "When You Say Nothing At All" is the definition of a classic country love song. First released in 1988, the song hit #1 just months before Whitley died of alcohol poisoning in 1999. 

The chemistry that the actual love between Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who have been married since 1996, gives an unparalleled authenticity to "It's Your Love," released by the duo in 1997. 

Recorded for "Pure Country," the classic film that stars George Strait as an up-and-coming troubadour, "I Cross My Heart" remains one of his most iconic tracks since its release in 1992. 

Written by June Carter just around the time she was falling in love with the Man in Black, Johnny Cash's version of "Ring of Fire" was a #1 hit upon its release in 1963. The two were married shortly after and remained deeply in love until Carter's death in 2003. 

Arguably the most legendary love song in country music history, Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" was written amid the angst of her professional split with performing partner Porter Wagoner. And then of course came Whitney Houston's legendary cover of the song in 1992, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. 

Co-written by Shania Twain and released in 1998, "You're Still The One" was an immediate #1 hit. The song continues to be a popular fixture at weddings and anniversary parties thanks to its lyrics about the kind of romance that can stand the test of time. 

As its name might imply, this 1987 classic from Randy Travis is a promise to love someone until the end of time. It immediately resonated with audiences, earning a Grammy Award and the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year after its release. 

Co-written by Naomi Judd as she struggled with a life-threatening illness, "Love Can Build A Bridge" is an important reminder of the power of unity. "When we stand together, it's our finest hour," the mother-daughter duo sings. "We can do anything, keep believin' in the power." Wise words, indeed. 

This sweet little tune from Musgraves's wildly popular 2018 album "Golden Hour" is all about those little flutters that pop up in your stomach when you're falling in love. In 2019, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance. 

This classic country ballad has been recorded by many famous artists — including B.J. Thomas and Brenda Lee — but Willie Nelson's deeply earnest recording of "Always On My Mind" became the standard in 1982. It was a crossover hit for Nelson, earning him three Grammy Awards and platinum certification from the Recording Industry Academy of America. 

Trisha Yearwood exploded onto the country music scene in 1992 with "She's In Love With The Boy," one of the genre's finest story songs. A fun look at a small-town teenage romance, it's perfect for belting on a road trip with the person you love. 

This seriously sweet tune scored Rascal Flatts a #1 hit in 2005, but that wasn't the first recording of "Bless The Broken Road." Nope, that came in 1994, when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released a version that's just as fun and catchy as its chart-topping successor. 

Some say that "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is the greatest country song of all time, but pretty much everyone would agree that it is one of the genre's finest love songs. It isn't exactly uplifting but is a testament to lifelong love, even if unrequited. 

Eight years after marrying actress Lisa Hartman, country crooner Clint Black teamed up with his wife to record "When I Said I Do," a beloved ballad that was a #1 hit when it was released in 1999. 

The original versions of this song, recorded by David Allan Coe and George Jones, are certainly legendary. But in 2015, Chris Stapleton's killer vocals and bluesy arrangement revived "Tennessee Whiskey" for a whole new generation of country fans. 

After its release in 1999, "Amazed" was an immediate addition to the playlist of basically every wedding DJ in America. The song shot to the top of the Billboard country charts, spending eight weeks at #1, and earning Lonestar a crossover success on the Billboard Hot 100. 

An important reminder for all of us to show the ones we care about how much we love them right now, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" is considered by Garth Brooks — and many others — to be his signature track. 

A major hit on the Billboard pop and country charts, "Breathe" made Faith Hill a bonafide pop-country icon in 1999. The title track of her fourth album was the top song of the year 2000.