The Best Country Love Songs of All Time

There are plenty of country songsabout drinkin' and cheatin', but some of the best songs in country music are about plain old love and all that goes along with it. Most of the country greats like Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner and more continue to sing about relationships and love.

From tracks on falling in love with your soulmate to tunes about unrequited love, here are 20 of the top country love songs of all time.

"Breathe," Faith Hill

A soaring ballad released at the peak of country pop diva anthems, Faith Hill's "Breathe" is still one of the most beloved country love songs ever.

"I Will Always Love You," Dolly Parton

The greatest country music love song wasn't written about a romantic love story. Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" for her dear friend Porter Wagoner upon her exit from The Porter Wagoner Show. From then on, the song took on a life of its own. It was a No. 1 hit for Parton in 1974, then again in 1982 when she re-recorded it for the Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. (She's the first singer to score a No. 1 hit twice for the same song.)
Ten years later, Whitney Houston had the best-selling single by a woman in music history with her cover of the song. But even without the massive chart success, "I Will Always Love You," a song about pure, selfless love, would still be the best country love song ever written.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones

Love doesn't always work out like we want it to. Some of country music's greatest songs are born out of the notion that even the truest loves don't always last. "He Stopped Loving Her Today,"about a man who carries a torch for his one true love until his dying day, is perhaps country's greatest example of heartbreaking, enduring love.

"I Cross My Heart," George Strait

Released as the first single from Strait's Pure Country soundtrack, "I Cross My Heart" was a No. 1 hit for Strait in 1992. The song, a tribute to unconditional love, is still one of country music's most requested wedding songs.

"Ring of Fire," Johnny Cash

Written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore, "Ring of Fire" is one of Johnny Cash's most memorable hits and a reminder of the powerful impact of romantic love.

"When You Say Nothing At All," Keith Whitley

Written by country hit-makers Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, "When You Say Nothing at All" was a No. 1 hit for Keith Whitley in 1988. After Whitley's tragic death, Alison Krauss and Union Station recorded the song for a Whitley tribute album. Krauss' tender vocals took the song back the Top 10 in 1995.

"Forever and Ever, Amen," Randy Travis

Randy Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen" has stood the test of time as one of country music's most endearing love songs. As plain spoken and true as only a country song can be, "Forever and Ever, Amen" can be considered one of the greatest country love songs ever written.

"Cowboy Take Me Away," Dixie Chicks

"Cowboy Take Me Away" was co-written by Dixie Chicks fiddler Martie Maguire for her sister (and fellow bandmate) Emily's wedding. The song, an ode to getting away from it all with someone you love, went to No. 1 in 1999 (this is easily one of my favorite songs in all country music).

"Still the One" Shania Twain

Shania Twain's scorching love song "You're Still the One" became Twain's first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The crossover hit, written by Twain and her then husband Mutt Lange, also won two Grammy Awards in 1999.

"Little Moments," Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley's "Little Moments" ignores grandiose gestures and focuses on the snapshot moments of a relationship that are truly special.

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