Relive the 80s with These Country Music Gems: Download and Listen Today
How to Download 80s Country Music
If you are a fan of country music, you might be interested in downloading some of the best songs and artists from the 1980s. The 80s was a decade of great innovation and diversity in country music, with many genres and styles emerging. From traditional country to country rock, from honky-tonk to bluegrass, from outlaw to neotraditional, there was something for everyone in the 80s country scene.
In this article, we will show you how to download 80s country music legally and safely, as well as introduce you to some of the most popular songs and artists from that era. We will also recommend some of the best music streaming services that offer a wide selection of 80s country music for your listening pleasure. So, let's get started!
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Introduction
What is 80s country music?
Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the rural regions of the Southern United States in the early 20th century. It is characterized by its roots in folk, blues, gospel, and Western music, as well as its use of instruments such as the guitar, banjo, fiddle, steel guitar, and harmonica.
Country music has evolved over time and has been influenced by various musical styles and trends. In the 1980s, country music experienced a boom in popularity and diversity, thanks to the emergence of new subgenres and crossover artists. Some of the subgenres that emerged or gained prominence in the 80s include:
Country rock: A fusion of country and rock music that features electric guitars, drums, and sometimes keyboards. Some of the pioneers of country rock in the 60s and 70s include Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Eagles, and Gram Parsons. In the 80s, some of the popular country rock artists include Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash, and The Kentucky Headhunters.
Neotraditional country: A revival of the traditional country sound that emphasizes acoustic instruments, vocal harmony, and storytelling. Some of the pioneers of neotraditional country in the late 70s include Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, and Reba McEntire. In the 80s, some of the popular neotraditional country artists include Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Ricky Van Shelton, and The Judds.
New wave country: A fusion of country and new wave music that features synthesizers, drum machines, and pop hooks. Some of the pioneers of new wave country in the late 70s include Eddie Rabbitt, Juice Newton, and Kenny Rogers. In the 80s, some of the popular new wave country artists include Dolly Parton, The Bellamy Brothers, and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Outlaw country: A subgenre of country music that rejects the mainstream Nashville sound and embraces a more rebellious, gritty, and authentic style. Some of the pioneers of outlaw country in the 70s include Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard. In the 80s, some of the popular outlaw country artists include David Allan Coe, Hank Williams Jr., Steve Earle, and Johnny Paycheck.
Bluegrass: A subgenre of country music that originated in the Appalachian region and is influenced by Irish, Scottish, and English folk music. It features acoustic instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and bass. Some of the pioneers of bluegrass in the 40s and 50s include Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers. In the 80s, some of the popular bluegrass artists include Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, and The Seldom Scene.
These are just some of the subgenres that defined 80s country music. There were also many crossover artists who blended country with pop, rock, soul, R&B, and other genres. Some of the most successful crossover artists in the 80s include Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, and Anne Murray.
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Why download 80s country music?
There are many reasons why you might want to download 80s country music. Here are some of them:
You love the sound and style of 80s country music and want to enjoy it anytime and anywhere.
You want to discover new songs and artists from the 80s that you might have missed or forgotten.
You want to relive the nostalgia and memories of your childhood or youth in the 80s.
You want to learn more about the history and evolution of country music and its subgenres.
You want to support your favorite 80s country artists and their legacy.
Whatever your reason is, downloading 80s country music can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can create your own playlists, share them with your friends and family, or even use them for karaoke or parties. You can also explore different genres and styles of 80s country music and find out what suits your taste and mood.
How to download 80s country music legally and safely?
Downloading 80s country music can be easy and convenient if you know how to do it legally and safely. There are many websites and apps that offer free or paid downloads of 80s country music. However, not all of them are reliable or trustworthy. Some of them might contain viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software that can damage your device or compromise your privacy. Some of them might also violate the copyright laws or the terms of service of the original artists or labels.
To avoid these risks and problems, you should always download 80s country music from reputable sources that respect the rights of the creators and the users. Here are some tips on how to find and use such sources:
Look for websites or apps that have a clear and transparent policy on licensing, royalties, permissions, and privacy. They should state clearly how they obtain and distribute the music files, how they compensate the artists or labels, how they protect your personal information and data, and how they handle any complaints or disputes.
Look for websites or apps that have a large and diverse catalog of 80s country music. They should offer a wide range of songs and artists from different subgenres and styles. They should also update their catalog regularly with new releases or remastered versions.
Look for websites or apps that have a user-friendly interface and features. They should allow you to easily search, browse, preview, download, play, organize, edit, share, and sync your music files across different devices and platforms.
Look for websites or apps that have a good reputation and reviews from other users. They should have positive feedback and ratings from satisfied customers who have used their services. They should also have a responsive and helpful customer support team that can assist you with any issues or questions.
Some examples of websites or apps that meet these criteria are:
iTunes: A popular and reliable music store and player that offers millions of songs and albums from various genres and artists. You can buy or rent individual songs or albums, or subscribe to Apple Music for unlimited streaming and downloading. You can also create your own playlists, sync your music library across your devices, and access exclusive content and features.
Amazon Music: A comprehensive and convenient music service that offers a huge selection of songs and albums from various genres and artists. You can buy or download individual songs or albums, or subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited or Prime Music for unlimited streaming and downloading. You can also create your own playlists, sync your music library across your devices, and access exclusive content and features.
SoundCloud: A popular and innovative music platform that allows you to discover, stream, download, upload, and share music from various genres and artists. You can find millions of songs and albums from established and emerging artists, as well as original and remixes from independent creators. You can also create your own playlists, follow your favorite artists and users, and access exclusive content and features.
These are just some of the websites or apps that you can use to download 80s country music legally and safely. There are many more options available online, but you should always do your research and check their credibility before using them.
Best 80s Country Songs and Artists
Top 10 80s country songs
The 80s was a decade of great creativity and diversity in country music, with many songs that became classics and hits. Here are some of the best 80s country songs that you should download and listen to:
Song
Artist
Year
Description
He Stopped Loving Her Today
George Jones
1980
A heartbreaking ballad about a man who never gave up on his love for a woman who left him, until the day he died. Widely regarded as one of the greatest country songs of all time, it won several awards and revived Jones' career.
Forever and Ever, Amen
Randy Travis
1987
A romantic song about unconditional love and commitment, with a catchy chorus and a smooth melody. It was Travis' first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and one of his signature songs.
Always on My Mind
Willie Nelson
1982
A poignant song about regret and longing, with a soulful delivery and a simple arrangement. It was originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, but Nelson's version became a crossover hit and won several awards.
Looking for Love
Johnny Lee
1980
A catchy and upbeat song about searching for romance, with a memorable hook and a danceable rhythm. It was featured in the movie Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger, and became a pop culture phenomenon.
I Believe in You
Don Williams
1980
A gentle and sincere song about faith and trust, with a soothing voice and a mellow guitar. It was Williams' eleventh number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and his only top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
9 to 5
Dolly Parton
1980
A fun and empowering song about working hard and dreaming big, with a lively piano and a sassy attitude. It was written and performed by Parton for the movie of the same name, starring herself, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, and became an anthem for women's rights.
When You Say Nothing at All
Keith Whitley
1988
A beautiful and romantic song about the power of silence and love, with a smooth voice and a sweet melody. It was Whitley's second number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and one of his most popular songs.
Killin' Time
Clint Black
1989
A witty and clever song about wasting time and drinking beer, with a catchy chorus and a honky-tonk sound. It was Black's third number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and the title track of his debut album.
The Chair
George Strait
1985
A humorous and charming song about flirting and seducing, with a clever dialogue and a country swing. It was Strait's seventh number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and one of his signature songs.
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
Keith Whitley
1989
A touching and inspiring song about overcoming adversity and pain, with a powerful voice and a heartfelt message. It was Whitley's fifth and final number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, before his tragic death from alcohol poisoning at age 33.
These are just some of the best 80s country songs that you should download and listen to. There are many more songs that deserve your attention and appreciation, so feel free to explore and discover them on your own.
Top 10 80s country artists
The 80s was also a decade of great talent and diversity in country music, with many artists that became legends and icons. Here are some of the best 80s country artists that you should download and listen to:
Artist
Description
Songs to download
George Jones
A legendary country singer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. He had a long and prolific career that spanned six decades, with more than 150 hits on the Billboard country charts. He was known for his distinctive voice, emotional delivery, and honky-tonk style.
He Stopped Loving Her Today, The Grand Tour, Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes, The Race Is On, She Thinks I Still Care.
Willie Nelson
A legendary country singer-songwriter who is also one of the most influential figures in American music history. He is known for his unique voice, outlaw image, activism, and crossover appeal. He has recorded more than 200 albums, covering various genres such as country, rock, blues, jazz, reggae, gospel, and pop.
Always on My Mind, On the Road Again, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Whiskey River, To All the Girls I've Loved Before, Pancho and Lefty.
Dolly Parton
A legendary country singer-songwriter who is also one of the most successful and versatile entertainers of all time. She is known for her distinctive voice, glamorous image, humanitarian work, and crossover appeal. She has recorded more than 3000 songs, covering various genres such as country, pop, rock, folk, gospel, and bluegrass.
9 to 5, Jolene, I Will Always Love You, Islands in the Stream, Coat of Many Colors.
Randy Travis
A influential country singer who is credited with leading the neotraditional country movement in the 80s. He is known for his deep and smooth voice, gospel influence, and classic style. He has recorded more than 20 albums, with more than 50 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Forever and Ever, Amen, Diggin' Up Bones, Deeper Than the Holler, Three Wooden Crosses, On the Other Hand.
Merle Haggard
A legendary country singer-songwriter who is regarded as one of the most influential and respected artists in country music history. He is known for his authentic and gritty voice, outlaw image, social commentary, and musical diversity. He has recorded more than 70 albums, with more than 100 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, The Fightin' Side of Me, Sing Me Back Home, Today I Started Loving You Again.
Alabama
A popular and successful country band that dominated the 80s country scene with their blend of country and rock music. They are known for their harmonies, instrumentation, and catchy songs. They have recorded more than 20 albums, with more than 40 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Mountain Music, Dixieland Delight, Song of the South, Love in the First Degree, The Closer You Get, If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).
Reba McEntire
A iconic and influential country singer who is also known as the "Queen of Country". She is known for her powerful and versatile voice, dramatic delivery, and crossover appeal. She has recorded more than 30 albums, with more than 60 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Fancy, Does He Love You, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, Whoever's in New England, Little Rock.
Kenny Rogers
A legendary country singer who is also one of the most successful and popular artists of all time. He is known for his distinctive and raspy voice, storytelling skills, and crossover appeal. He has recorded more than 60 albums, covering various genres such as country, pop, rock, soul, and gospel.
The Gambler, Islands in the Stream, Lady, Lucille, Coward of the County.
The Judds
A famous and successful country duo consisting of mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna. They are known for their harmonies, charisma, and personal stories. They have recorded more than 10 albums, with more than 20 singles on the Billboard country charts.
Mama He's Crazy, Why Not Me, Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days), Love Can Build a Bridge, Girls Night Out.
George Strait
A legendary country singer who is also known as the "King of Country". He is known for his pure and traditional country sound, smooth voice, and cowboy image. He has recorded more than 30 albums, with more than 60 singles on the Billboard country charts.
The Chair, Amarillo by Morning, All My Ex's Live in Texas, Check Yes or No, Ocean Front Property.
These are just some of the best 80s country artists that you should download and listen to. There are many more artists that deserve your attention and appreciation, so feel free to explore and discover them on your own.
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