We recently welcomed a team of writers to the NYCountry Swag Squad. With that, we’re excited to share a new monthly feature with our “What We’re Listening To” playlist, where we’re highlighting the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre. At the end of the day, we are all fans first with a passion for country music and are eager to share with you all what we’ve got on repeat each month.
Find below each of our team member’s favorite songs and why in our October picks. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!
OCTOBER PICKS:
Stephanie Wagner, Founder
Pick: “Break Up More Often” – Riley Green
Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Lynn Hutton, Riley Green
“I’m loving everything from Riley Green right now. His debut single, “There Was This Girl” is currently making waves on country radio, but “Break Up More Often”, another song from his EP, In A Truck Right Now, is what I’ve recently been listening to on repeat.
I love the twist he puts on a breakup. For anybody who has ever been in an on-again/off-again relationship, it’s completely relatable. One minute you’re arguing like you’ll never see each other again and the next you’re waking up in their bed. Green’s lyrics are honest and vulnerable.
If tellin’ each other goodbye is gonna lead to a long slow kiss // If you tearin’ out my drive is gonna get us makin’ love like this // ‘Cause it’s crazy to think that yesterday we weren’t even talkin’ // If this is how it’s gonna be, then baby maybe we should break up more often
There is something so desirable about the idea of the makeup being worth the breakup and Green paints that picture perfectly in this song.”
Christina Bosch, Managing Editor
Pick: “Make You Feel My Love” – Clare Dunn
Songwriters: Bob Dylan
“This song has been covered by the greats including Adele, Garth Brooks, and Billy Joel but available earlier today, country rising artist Clare Dunn released a live, acoustic version of the Bob Dylan classic and I was immediately captivated. Each time I have heard this song, I have loved it more and more but Dunn’s unique delivery and smooth vocals simply gives me chills. The powerhouse singer makes this acoustic version her own by letting the lyrics take the lead, backed by a single guitar. Clare Dunn is definitely one to watch, setting the bar for women in this industry to pave their own way and proving she can tackle one of the greatest songs of all time.”
Nicole Bochinis, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Make It Sweet” – Old Dominion
Songwriters: Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers
“I’ve had “Make It Sweet” on repeat since the moment it was released. The lyrics that stand out to me the most are “Life is short, make it sweet”. Such simple words can mean so much to someone when life gets difficult. Old Dominion has been a favorite of mine since I saw them open up for Chase Rice in 2014. I knew they were going to be big from the moment they took the stage. They are not your typical country group but that is what I love about them. From the lyrics, music, passion and guitar solos, you are in for a treat when you see them. Every song they put out is a hit and this song is just a taste of what’s to come on their next album!”
Kelly Cunningham, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Georgia Time” – Riley Green
Songwriters: Riley Green
Mine is “Georgia Time” by Riley Green. This song has been stuck in my head for so long and I’m not complaining. It has this raw southern rhythm to it that is addicting. I just recently got to see him perform last week and he’s definitely bringing old-school country back to the scene. He’s for sure one to look out for as his debut single is climbing the charts quickly!
Taylor Felvey, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Drunk Again” – Ashley Scire
Songwriters: Ashley Scire, John Allan Miller, Sean Ryan Spollen
“With Tailgate season in full swing, fans everywhere are going to thank their lucky stars to have a fall anthem in “Drunk Again”. The native east coaster’s smooth vocals leave her a force to be reckoned with among fellow females in the Nashville music scene. With a Hilary Scott-type rasp, Scire’s soulful chorus along with upbeat guitar chords will leave everyone singing “Here we are/drunk again/buzzin’ at the bar where it all began/we both know how this night is gonna end/we’re drunk again”.”
Crystal Fenton, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Ends of the Earth” – Kenny Chesney
Songwriters: Ben Schneider
“Lately, I’ve been listening to Kenny Chesney’s “Ends Of The Earth” on repeat! I love both the chill vibe of the music (which even sounds somewhat aquatic to me) and the emotion of the lyrics. I’ve been lighting a sea salt scented candle and listening to this song at night to wind down from a long day. My very favorite lines: What good is livin’ a life you’ve been given / If all you do is stand in one place?”
Molly Holmberg, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Growin’ Up” – Walker McGuire
Songwriters: Brinley Addington, Jimmie Deeghan, Michael Hardy
“Walker McGuire just dropped their new single, ‘Growin’ Up.’ While not everyone can relate to growing up in a small town, with honest lyrics, a catchy tune, and talking about everyday life this song catches you the first time you listen to it. The lyrics speak the truth about the ups and downs of growing up and while everything that happens around you is an important part of your journey as you grow up no matter how big or small the event was. Their two other hit songs “Til Tomorrow” has almost 27 million streams and “Lost” has almost 7 million. Walker McGuire is currently the hottest duo coming up in country music right now and they are reaching fans across the country.”
Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Ladies in the 90’s” – Lauren Alaina
Songwriters: Amy Wadge, Jesse Frasure, Lauren Alaina
“How can you not love a song that includes lyrics from Britney Spears, Reba, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Shania Twain and more? Easy. You can’t. From the moment I heard Lauren Alaina’s “Ladies in the 90’s,” I was hooked. Despite playing to the new trend in country music to namedrop other songs, Lauren Alaina’s take seems fresh. Having grown up on the songs mentioned on this track, it’s easy to relate to and sing along. “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want, you oughta know”, is such a well-crafted line that I can’t seem to get it out of my head. Based on talent alone, Alaina should be one of country’s hottest female acts, and I really hope this song helps to cement her position in the industry. It’s what I really, really want.”
Nicole Sellati, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Dark Horse” – Devin Dawson
Songwriters: Andrew Roberts, Andy Albert, Devin Dawson
“Since I’ll be seeing Devin Dawson next week in Florida, I thought it would be fitting for “Dark Horse” to be my October pick. From the moment I first heard the song live in 2017, I was in love with it. The song is mesmerizing and each time I listen to it, I feel as if I’m being transported to another place. His entire debut album is perfection, allowing the music to speak for itself but this song, in particular, is so honest and bold, I can’t help but have it on repeat. Dawson is one of my favorite artists to see live and I can’t wait to hear his set one last time on The Long Way tour!”
Danielle Tornatore, Contributing Writer
Pick: “I’m Good” – Abby Anderson
Songwriters: Abby Anderson, April Geesbreght, Jason Massey
“A few weeks ago I saw Abby Anderson open up for Brett Eldredge on his ‘The Long Way Tour’ at the Bloomsburg Fair in Pennsylvania. Ever since I’ve had her whole I’m Good EP on repeat which is why it was hard to choose just one of the songs as my pick for this month. After debating for a few days, I had to go with the title track “I’m Good.” It’s a sassy and empowering anthem for all the girls out there who have realized their self-worth and moved on from a certain someone. Anderson sang this song with such confidence at the show, especially the last line of the chorus: “If you’re thinking that I’m on the fence / Thinking I want you back / Nah, baby, I’m good” Every girl who has dealt with any kind of situation similar to this needs to hear this song. I cannot wait to see Anderson again later this month at the Mercury Lounge!”
“Tailgate” is a super catchy song released by Raelynn over the summer. Every time I hear it on the radio or play it on Spotify I find myself singing along and it’s stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Written by Raelynn, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder, and Canaan Smith the lyrics tell a fun story about young kids in the back of a pickup truck messing around and hoping no one finds out. With a chorus saying “If that tailgate ever tells, I’d be the small talk of the town” Raelynn’s twang can bring back teenage memories of times you wish your parents never found out about, especially if it’s in a small town!”
Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer
Pick: “Chasin’ You” – Morgan Wallen
Songwriters: Craig Wiseman, Jamie Moore, Morgan Wallen
“I knew for this month that I was going to pick a Morgan Wallen song. The singer has been on my radar, since his debut album If I Know Me dropped. I discovered his songs while listening to Pandora. Each time I heard a new song that I liked, I would look at the artist, and sure enough, it was Wallen.
Since I have had the whole record on repeat for a while now, I had a hard time deciding, which song I wanted to pick. After seeing the artist perform live, I finally settled on “Chasin’ You.” (Almost as confirmation, as I write this, the song randomly played on Pandora.) Unlike most of his other songs, this track is the singer’s version of a ballad. The lyrics reminisce about an old relationship that didn’t work out for a variety of reasons.
My favorite lyric is “Chasing that freedom, chasing that feeling that got gone to soon.” Those words can be applied to so many facets of life, and they really resonated with me as a country music fan, but more importantly as a human being. I am so excited to see what Wallen does next with his blossoming career, and I can only hope for more tracks like “Chasin’ You,” with heartfelt, story-telling like this one. ”
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