From classics to surprises: the Grand Ole Opry reveals the 100 best country songs ever made

The Grand Ole Opry is an American icon and deeply rooted in the country music industry.

It is one of the longest-running radio broadcasts in US history, having started in 1925 as the “WSM Barn Dance.” For nearly a century, it has provided a continuous stage for country music, becoming an institution that honors the genre’s past while embracing its future.

The Opry is credited with establishing Nashville as the “Country Music Capital” and its powerful radio broadcast and live performances created a central hub for the music, attracting artists and fans from across the country and the world.

The Opry stage has been a rite of passage for countless country stars. Artists like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Garth Brooks all performed there, with many of their most significant career moments—from debuts to memberships—occurring on its stage.

The Opry turns 100

As the Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary, it has selected official list of the 100 greatest country songs of all time with the aid of a country music fan vote.

George Strait, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson all make appearances on the list as do more contemporary artists such as Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban Shaboozey and Blake Shelton.

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A select listing of the songs is featured below with the full 100 song selection available here.

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