Since I decided to analyze Garth Brooks’ second album No Fences for my project, I’ve found myself listening to a lot of Garth the past few days and I’ve found myself reminiscing about all the songs that I have grown up on and loved throughout the years. So naturally I decided to compile a playlist of some of my favorite Garth songs to share with you guys.
First and foremost, I want to put “Friends in Low Places” on here, which I’m sure most of you are probably pretty familiar with. Not the regular album version though, but “the long version” of the song that Garth only plays live. This version includes a third verse that not a whole lot of people know. I’ve always found it really interesting that Garth has versions of certain songs he only plays live, such as “Friends in Low Places” and “The Thunder Rolls”.
“Belleau Wood” is a lesser-known Garth song that tells the story of a soldier in World War I at the Battle of Belleau Wood. I’ve always really loved this song because it was my grandfather’s (who served in WWII) favorite song.
“Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)” is the story about a cowboy who has been competing for years and just doesn’t have the strength to keep at it anymore with the stress of being away from home all the while watching a younger crowd taking over the business. My Dad really loves this song and I can always remember listening to it with him when I was younger.
“Mom” is one of the singles off of Garth’s newest album, and obviously I can’t listen to it without thinking about my own mom. It’s a very pretty and sad song and a perfect song to get everyone in a room to have a good cry, so if you’re in that kind of mood, I highly recommend it, just make sure you have a phone nearby to make a call to your mom when it’s over.
“Standing Outside the Fire” is probably the first Garth Brooks song I ever heard, and it’s been one of my favorites for a long time. It’s about living life to the fullest and is a sort of inspirational song.
“The Dance” is a song I thought would be a fitting finale to this short playlist. It’s considered one of Garth’s signature songs and is a good love/heartbreak song.
Garth Brooks has been one of my favorite country artists for as long as I can remember. He has had countless hits and has a sound that can’t be copied or reproduced by anyone except Garth. He also has a good mix of different sounds in his music, fusing country music with rock and pop to create his distinct sound and style, and through the years he has kept making hit songs and without changing his style, and I really admire him for that. I’ve also heard that he is an excellent live performer, so I’m hoping he announces some Texas tour dates in the future so I can experience his one of a kind music for myself. I realize this is a pretty short playlist, but of course I couldn’t fit all of my favorite songs on here, but do you guys like Garth Brooks and notice any songs I may have left out?
Similar to you, Garth Brooks is one of my favorite country artists. Whether it be different tastes in his music or just varying exposure to different songs, I would have some similarities and differences if I made this same list. First, I think it’s necessary to have his most popular songs such as “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance”. Where I differ would be the inclusion of less popular songs. Personally, I am not familiar with “Bellau Wood”. I would have liked to see “Unanswered Prayers” or “Good Ride Cowboy” on there somewhere. Overall, I liked your playlist, and although we would have included different songs, it was cool being exposed to new music from an artist I love.
I absolutely love Garth Brooks and grew up listening to him. I had him as one of my key figures for my New Country subgenre project. “Friends in Low Places” is the ultimate hit in my opinion. I am so glad you included the long version it is so great! I also liked that you included songs that not many people have heard of, it is always good to showcase songs that you have a personal connection to. Also I read an interview where Brooks said that “The Dance” is the song he wants people to remember him for. Granted that was back in the 90s, I am sure he would be grateful you included it in your playlist!
Garth Brooks would have to be one of my top ten favorite country music artists of all time, so I was very excited to see what songs you put down as your favorites. “Friends in Low Places” was a great place to start. This is a favorite in my family and I can promise you that it frequently played at our family reunions. “Bellau Wood” is not on my favorites list, but I can see the attraction. “The Dance” would have to be my number two because my mom always had it playing in our house. Some of my other favorites that you and Justin didn’t mention are “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “Two Pina Coladas,” and “More Than A Memory.”