Are you tired of country music stations that play a treasure one minute and trash the next? Or how about artists who try to cover all the bases on morally inconsistent CDs? Frustrating, isn't it? Fortunately, we now live in an era of digital downloads that lets us feast our ears on a hearty helping of homegrown values à la carte. To get you started, here's a playlist of 20 country songs you can feel good about:
Track 1) "Family Tree," Michael James, 3:13 – A high-energy pledge to grow and nurture a legacy of love that will weather storms and stand firm for generations to come.
Track 2) "Watching You," Rodney Atkins, 3:55 – You've heard that values are caught more than taught. Here's a touching reminder that, for better or worse, our behavior rubs off on our children.
Track 3) "These Four Walls," Sara Evans, 4:35 – A tired mom recalls youthful dreams of wealth and fame that didn't come true, yet realizes she got an even better deal in the process.
Track 4) "That's What I Call Home," Blake Shelton, 3:17 – When life gets hard, there's no place like home and being greeted by faithful loved ones in Small Town, U.S.A.
Track 5) "Ellsworth," Rascal Flatts, 4:01 – This bittersweet, story song offers glimpses of Americana as it tells of a woman with Alzheimer's who forgets things easily but vividly recalls being courted by the love of her life.
Track 6) "All the Fun," Paul Overstreet, 4:03 – An enthusiastic explanation of why carefree singleness or a night out with the boys can't compete with the everyday excitement of family life.
Track 7) "Don't Forget to Remember Me," Carrie Underwood, 4:00 – As a young woman leaves the nest, both mother and daughter say their goodbyes. Once she is on her own, the anxious girl turns to prayer.
Track 8) "Then They Do," Trace Adkins, 4:31 – Frustrated parents wishing that their kids would "just grow up" are warned about how quickly time flies—and the deafening silence of an empty house.
Track 9) "Song for Dad," Keith Urban, 3:56 – It's the singer's peppy, banjo-backed admission that he's becoming more and more like dear old Dad, which makes him feel proud.
Track 10) "Times Like These," Buddy Jewell, 3:27 – Aware that time with our kids is fleeting, a father considers putting in extra overtime at work but decides to invest in his son instead.
Track 11) "Built to Last," Heartland, 4:14 – At his grandparents' 50th anniversary party, a man develops a renewed appreciation for things designed to endure in a disposable society.
Track 12) "Who I Am," Jessica Andrews, 4:15 – A woman's identity and sense of significance come not from achievements, but from her place in an honorable lineage.
Track 13) "I Think About You," Collin Raye, 3:27 – Tired of seeing women objectified in the culture, the singer chooses to view actresses and models as the innocent little girls they once were—as sweet as his own 8-year-old daughter.
Track 14) "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins, 3:45 – From sullen teen to restless newlywed to the harried mother of preschoolers, a young woman is continually cautioned to enjoy each station of life instead of longing for the next one.
Track 15:) "Home," Tim McGraw, 4:58 – Images of family togetherness, familiar sights and sounds, and recollections of a simpler time become an emotional oasis for a man on the go.
Track 16) "My Last Name," Dierks Bentley, 3:30 – The singer wants to defend and honor his surname, realizing that he's one link in a precious multigenerational chain.
Track 17) "Mr. Mom," Lonestar, 3:28 – In this playful affirmation of motherhood, a man thinks swapping roles with his homemaker bride will be a breeze, only to learn how hard the job really is.
Track 18) "Daddy's Hands," Holly Dunn, 3:28 – A daughter pays tribute to her father, whose calloused hands—whether firm or gentle—always showed love.
Track 19) "Don't Blink," Kenny Chesney, 4:46 – On his 102nd birthday, a wise man recalls how quickly the years pass, urging others to slow down and redeem every breath God gives them.
Track 20) "House of a Thousand Dreams," Martina McBride, 3:52 – Desperate to do right by her family, a devoted wife and mother does more with less and realizes how blessed they are.
Decisions & Discernment
Hone your family's media discernment skills!
That Was Then, This
Is Now
The Power of the Media
Does Life Ever Imitate
(Dangerous) Art?
Which Nature Are You
Feeding?
Five Steps to Safeguarding Your Family
Six Keys to a Healthy
Entertainment Diet
Confusing "Truth" and
"Reality"
Confusing "Tolerance"
and "Love"
Setting a Family Standard
for Entertainment
Getting Family Discussions
Started
God's Own Words on Discernment
Family Covenant for
God-Honoring Media Choices