As the curtain falls on 2025, the country music world finds itself in the midst of a creative renaissance, with established superstars and rising talents alike delivering songs that are as personal as they are powerful. According to Townsquare Media, this year’s top country hits weren’t just catchy—they were confessional, raw, and often heartbreakingly honest, reflecting a trend toward deeper storytelling and emotional candor in the genre.
At the heart of this movement stands Morgan Wallen, whose meteoric rise in recent years has drawn comparisons to country legends like Garth Brooks. Wallen’s presence on the 2025 best-of list is undeniable, with two deeply personal songs—"I’m the Problem" and "I Got Better"—making the cut. Both tracks showcase Wallen’s willingness to turn the spotlight on himself, dissecting failed relationships with a mixture of pain, sarcasm, and vulnerability. As Townsquare Media notes, "Morgan turns it back on the ex in a stripped-down production that allows him to really bring the pain and a bit of sarcasm vocally." It’s a testament to Wallen’s enduring appeal that even when baring his soul, he continues to rack up chart-topping hits.
But Wallen wasn’t the only artist to leave a mark on 2025. Corey Kent secured his first number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with "This Heart," a song that explores heartbreak with a twist—portraying the heart itself as an unwelcome houseguest that simply won’t leave. Meanwhile, Dylan Marlowe and Dylan Scott’s "Boys Back Home" captured the nostalgia and camaraderie of youthful days gone by, earning its place on the year-end list as a party anthem with surprising staying power.
Ella Langley emerged as one of the year’s breakout stars, notching two chart-topping singles: "Weren’t for the Wind" and "Choosin’ Texas." In the former, Langley’s "wood-smoke alto" and honest songwriting shine through as she contemplates the fleeting nature of relationships, admitting up front to her own restlessness. "Does she regret her approach? Maybe, and she tells us that up front. Like I said earlier...honesty," writes Townsquare Media. In "Choosin’ Texas," Langley flips the script, narrating the story of a relationship that’s slipping away—not because of her, but because of a partner who’s already checked out. The song’s infectious rhythm has even been touted as a go-to for teaching the two-step.
Lainey Wilson, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, delivered a slow-burning masterpiece with "Somewhere Over Laredo." The song’s "theater of the mind" approach and vivid, visual lyrics set it apart, with Wilson demonstrating a subtlety and restraint that rewards repeated listens. "These are some of the most visual lyrics I’ve ever heard," observes Townsquare Media, highlighting Wilson’s unique storytelling flair.
Veteran artist Dierks Bentley also had a banner year, both in the studio and on the road. His song "Broken Branches," featuring John Anderson and Riley Green, was singled out as the title track from Bentley’s 2025 album. The song explores the idea that "the apples don’t merely hit the ground after they’ve fallen the proverbial short distance from the tree," with each artist taking a verse and Anderson—at 71—delivering a standout performance that belies his age. Townsquare Media gushes, "At 71, John Anderson has never sounded better."
Bentley’s accomplishments didn’t stop at the recording studio. As reported by The GreenRoom, he released the single "She Hates Me" on Valentine’s Day 2025, and it quickly became the most added song of the week, with over 111 radio stations picking it up—a career high for Bentley. The track, described by Billboard as showcasing Bentley’s "trademark humor" while blending influences from Whitley and Weezer, added a playful edge to his signature sound. Bentley himself reflected on the song’s success and his ongoing evolution as a performer, saying, "It’s about finding new ways to connect with fans, whether that’s through music or the live experience."
Bentley’s year was further punctuated by the announcement of his BROKEN BRANCHES TOUR, which kicked off May 29 in Austin, Texas, with support from Zach Top and The Band Loula. Spanning more than 30 cities across the United States, the tour was widely hailed as "one of the most fun lineups you’ll see this summer," according to Whiskey Riff. Looking ahead, Bentley is set to headline the prestigious C2C: Country to Country Festival in the UK from March 14-16, 2026, with performances scheduled in Glasgow, London, and Belfast.
With eight Number One albums, 22 Number One songs, over nine billion global streams, 15 GRAMMY nominations, and membership in the Grand Ole Opry, Bentley’s credentials are as impressive as his staying power. But his ambitions extend beyond music. The GreenRoom reports that Bentley has opened four locations of the gastropub and live music venue "Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row," and recently launched ROW 94—a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey crafted at Green River Distilling Co. and marketed with the slogan "three ingredients and the truth."
Other notable entries on the 2025 best-of list include Jackson Dean’s "Heavens to Betsy," a song that unfolds as a somber apology from a father to his daughter, elevated by Dean’s remarkable vocal delivery. The year’s number one song, according to Townsquare Media, was "Don’t Mind If I Do" by Riley Green featuring Ella Langley—a duet that feels less like a polished single and more like an intimate conversation between two people coming to terms with a breakup. "This wasn’t written like it’s a song; it’s like we’re eavesdropping on a conversation that is really none of our business. And the spare production is the icing on the cake," the outlet raves.
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s clear that country music is thriving—thanks to a mix of honest songwriting, inventive collaborations, and artists willing to take risks. Whether it’s Morgan Wallen’s confessional ballads, Ella Langley’s breakout hits, or Dierks Bentley’s career-defining year, fans have plenty to celebrate—and even more to look forward to as the genre rolls into 2026.
