The 20 Hardest Country Songs To Sing

Country music is known for its soulful ballads and upbeat party songs. But some tunes are much harder to sing than others. Despite the norm that country music is simple, there are country songs with exceptional vocals that are hard to replicate.

Let’s take a look at the 20 hardest country songs to sing. These are tunes that will test your vocal range and your ability to stay on the pitch! If you’re up for the challenge, then give these songs a try!

1. “The Devil went down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels

Starting off this list is the classic “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels. This song is known for its fast-paced fiddle playing and tricky lyrics. If you can sing this one without getting tongue-tied, then you’re a better singer than most! It was released in 1979 for the album “Million Mile Reflections”.

2. “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” by Shania Twain

Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” is a fun, upbeat song that is perfect for belting out at karaoke night. But it’s also one of the hardest songs to sing due to its high vocal range. The song was released in 1999 as part of Twain’s album “Come On Over”.

3. “Amarillo by Morning” by George Strait

“Amarillo by Morning” is a country classic sung by George Strait. It’s a beautiful song, but it’s also one of the hardest to sing. The twang is hard to get right as well as the vibrating lows and melodious highs. The song was released in 1982 and later became one of Strait’s signature tunes. You can find it on the album “Strait from the Heart”.

4. “Gunpowder & Lead” by Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead” is a fiery song about a woman who is taking justice into her own hands. It’s a great song to sing if you’re looking for something that is both challenging and empowering. The song was released in 2008 as part of Lambert’s album “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”.

5. “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood

This next country song is sure to get the crowd going. “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood encapsulates the feelings of scorned women everywhere. It’s a fun song to sing, but it’s also one of the hardest due to its long notes and high register. The song was released in 2006 as part of Underwood’s album “Some Hearts”.

6. “Little White Lines” by Shooter Jennings

Another difficult song to sing is “Little White Lines” by Shooter Jennings. This song is known for its catchy melody. If you can sing this one without getting dizzy, then you’re a better singer than most! The song was released in 2006 as part of Jennings’ album “Electric Rodeo”.

7. “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” is one of the most popular country songs of all time. It’s also one of the hardest to sing. The song has a range of nearly two octaves, and the chorus is particularly challenging. You would need a lot of vocal stamina to keep up. This was released in 1990 for the album “No Fences”.

8. “Sold” by John Michael Montgomery

John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” is a heart-wrenching song about a soldier who is killed in action. The song is challenging to sing because of its emotional subject matter and because of the range and stamina required to sing it properly. This was released in 1995 for his self-titled album.

9. “Real Good Time” by Aaron Watson

Next on the list is Aaron Watson’s “Real Good Time.” The song is also difficult to sing in tune, due to the rapid changes in pitch. It’s very hard to keep up with the lyrics and the tempo, especially with the rising pitch. This was released in 2012 for his album of the same title. You can stream the song on all music platforms out there.

10. “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” is a classic country song that has been covered by many artists. The song is challenging to sing because it is hard to follow the subtle rising and lowering of the pitch. The song is a constant up and down, thus very hard to follow and sing properly. This was released in 1978 for his album “The Gambler”.

11. “Blue Mule” by Old and In The Way

“Blue Mule” is a bluegrass song that was popularized by the band Old and In The Way. This was released in 1997 for their album “Breakdown”. The song is about a mule that won’t move no matter what the farmer does. This song truly embodies what country music sounds like. The belting high vocals as well as the prominent twang are hard to replicate.

12. “I Fall To Pieces” by Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline is a country legend and “I Fall To Pieces” is one of her most popular songs. The song is about a woman who falls apart every time she thinks about her love leaving her. The song necessitates long notes in the high register. If you want to give it a try, you can find it on the album “Showcase”.

13. “Big Mamou” by Waylon Jennings

Next on the list is “Big Mamou” by Waylon Jennings. This is a song about a man who is in love with a woman who is married to someone else. The song is full of heartbreak and longing. If you want a challenge, try following the harmonies. You can find it on his album “Waylon at JD’s” which was released in 1964.

14. “Before the Devil knows we’re Dead” by Turnpike Troubadours

“Before the Devil knows we’re Dead” is a song by Turnpike Troubadours. It’s about a man who is dying and he knows that he won’t be going to heaven. The song is full of despair and darkness and the harmonies in the back are difficult to get right. If you want to give it a try, you can find it on their album “Goodbye Normal Street”.

15. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

Of course, we can’t forget about “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. This is a song about being homesick and longing for the simplicity of home. The song is full of nostalgia and you can find it on his album “Poems, Prayers & Promises”. It has been sung by many artists over the years, but John Denver’s version is still the most popular.

16. “Suicide” by David Allan Coe

Another difficult song to sing is “Suicide” by David Allan Coe. This song is about a man who is contemplating suicide. It’s a dark and heavy subject matter, it has a fast tempo and requires some stamina. It was released in 1978 as part of the album “Human Emotions”.

17. “Ain’t going down” by Garth Brooks

“Ain’t going down” is a song by Garth Brooks. It’s about a man who is fighting for his life after being shot. The song is intense and emotional, and it requires a lot of vocal control to sing it properly. The hardest part will be to hold your breath all the way through the verses. This was released in 1993 as part of the album “In Pieces”.

18. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band is a country band that has been around since 2002. “Chicken Fried” is one of their most popular songs and it’s about being homesick. The song is full of nostalgia and you can find it on their album “The Foundation”. It was released in 2008 and it takes some experience to capture those subtle rises and falls.

19. “Idabel Blues” by Stoney LaRue

“Idabel Blues” is a song by Stoney LaRue. It’s about a man who is in love with a woman who doesn’t love him back. The most difficult part is obviously at the end with the raised pitch. The song speaks of heartbreak and longing, and you can find it on his album “The Red Dirt Album” which was released in 2005.

20. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton

The last song on this list is “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. It’s about a woman who is in love with a man who is in love with someone else. The song is full of heartbreak and jealousy, and you can find it on her album of the same title which was released in 1973. This song is particularly difficult due to every verse starting low and rising as it goes on.

Final Thoughts

Country music is a genre that is full of emotion and heartbreak. It can be difficult to sing, but it’s also very rewarding. These are just some of the most difficult country songs to sing. These tunes require a lot of vocal control and emotion. If you’re up for the challenge, give them a try. You might just surprise yourself.