To be a long-haul, enduring musician means you’re going to experiment with your sound from time to time. In order to progress their own musicality, artists may even challenge themselves to create pieces that starkly counter their recognized genre. We’ve seen bands and singers do this by stepping into the country genre. That might be the inclusion of country elements, like in “Spaced Cowboy” by Sly and the Family Stone, which incorporates yodeling vocal technique across a more recognizably funk instrumental.

Some artists choose to fully embrace the genre, even releasing unique full-length concept albums to better foster the differentiating musical exploration. This includes recent records such as Lady Gaga’s Joanne and Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter. Even without such full commitment, few contemporary music artists have successfully walked the path of blatant country adoption with as enduring an effect as their recognized base sound.

10 "Slim Pickins"

Sabrina Carpenter

The pop princess Sabrina Carpenter’s vintage-harkening Short N’ Sweet album sees the singer delve into genres beyond her pop-centric base sound. “Slim Pickins” sees Carpenter most embody a country folk approach as she details the frustration of founding a suitable romantic partner. While her chart topping single “Please Please Please” would end up receiving a remix to include Dolly Parton and a country twang makeover, “Slim Pickins” serves as Carpenter’s authentic foray into the genre from its conception. The inclusion of a slide guitar and violin atop a soft, acoustic guitar creates an understated musicality that lets Carpenter’s sweet pop voice frolic within the melody.

"Slim Pickins" sits humbly in the number nine spot on the album, yet provides an intrinsic sound that other songs may flirt with yet don’t fully execute. Carpenter displays her signature humor while discussing her dating dilemma and displays vocal agility in a softer, storytelling-focused structure.

9 "You Should Be Sad"

Halsey

The acoustic-guitar driven track “You Should Be Sad” by Halsey is dripping in country musicality. Halsey’s trademark vocal sound is unchanged, letting this song hover between the pop and country worlds. It certainly harkens to Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” with its lyrical content of a scorned lover. The wrathful ballad dynamic complements Halsey’s storytelling ability. Her pop-sweet voice, tinged with anger, propels the song as she rides the melody looped on acoustic guitar.

Halsey’s trademark vocal sound is unchanged, letting this song hover between the pop and country worlds.

Across any genre Halsey decides to create in, her unwavering perspective will be the unifying thread. This simple, unplugged style song is best served in the country realm. Halsey has been able to maintain her voice while further expanding her artistic abilities.

8 "Fairytale"

The Pointer Sisters

The Pointer Sisters would produce their most recognized songs in the 1980s, gave us a solid country track “Fairytale,” humbly found on their 1974 studio album That’s A Plenty. The sibling group that would be more associated with hits “Neutron Dance” and “I’m So Excited” have always had an eclectic and versatile sound, yet have never embodied the country genre more than this early career recording.

“Fairytale” was composed by sisters Bonnie and Anita Pointer, and serves as a testament to a woman’s independence and capability amidst a breakup. The layered harmonies of such tightly intertwined sibling vocals are characteristic of the group's overall sound, yet complement the story as it unfolds across the five-minute-long track. While critics called the song a gimmick due to it straying so far from their conceived sound, the sisters insisted that the genre shift aligns with their upbringing in Arkansas. They’d perform the song as the first Black vocal group featured on the Grand Ole Opry. Elvis Presley would record a cover of the song the following year.

7 "Don’t Follow"

Alice in Chains

The 1990s Seattle rock heroes Alice in Chains released “Don’t Follow” on their 1994 EP Jar of Flies. The Jerry Cantrell-driven track is notable as one of the band’s more melancholy, softer sounds. Differing from the heavier sound Alice in Chains is recognized for, Cantrell’s appreciation and influence of country music shines throughout the production. Even the switch of having Cantrell perform lead vocals, with Layne Staley performing back-up and harmony, shapes the reflective mood.

Cantrell’s vocal ability is authentic and steady, while his lyrics possess the contemplative honesty found in classic country music. The harmonica melody intertwined throughout the song is able to tap into the emotional vulnerability of the lyrics, further amplifying the despondent sentiment.

6 "Hung Up On You"

Fountains of Wayne

The power-pop driven sound of Fountains of Wayne led the band to mainstream success with “Stacy’s Mom” in 2003. Another standout tucked into the same album, Welcome Interstate Managers, is “Hung Up On You” with its Americana composition. Co-founder Adama Schlesinger has a noted love of country music, which mostly found elements of the genre included within the band’s later releases. Yet with “Hung Up On You,” the band presents a full-fledged country delivery coupled with lyrics of a one-sided love.

Schlesinger has gone on to be recognized for his songwriting prowess throughout his time with the band. Regarded as someone whose compositional capabilities extend beyond a specific genre, he is simply a fan of music as a whole and will immerse himself within whatever genre he is inspired by. “Hung Up On You” is a reminder that the band definitely had more to show than what they ultimately have become ed for in the mainstream charts.

5 "(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville"

R.E.M.

A song that has gone on to endure long-term appreciation within R.E.M.’s discography, “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” nearly didn’t make the cut for their sophomore album. Lyrically, the song is composed from the true heartache of unrequited love, stemming from a personal experience of bassist Mike Mills.

Originally recorded in a more Ramones-esque, hard and fast punk vibe, the band would go back in to humorously poke-fun at their manager, Bertis Downs’ affinity for the song. After slowing the track down and countrifying it, the band gained a new appreciation for the song, and it was included on their highly anticipated Reckoning album.

Lyrically, the song is composed from the true heartache of unrequited love, stemming from a personal experience of bassist Mike Mills.

The real-life love interest Ingrid Schoor went on to acknowledge her experience and side of the story in an online essay, who remained a close friend of Mills over the years. He has remarked about the songwriting process that he knew he had a catchy song, but didn’t realize the country genre foray would resonate with so many people.

4 "Dear God"

Avenged Sevenfold

The final track of Avenged Sevenfold’s fourth studio album is a surprising departure from the band’s typical heavy metal prowess. It has been a popular song with music enthusiasts, nonetheless, and sits as their fifth most popular song on Spotify. “Dear God” is a thoughtful, lyrically present song that resonates with listeners across multiple genres.

While the lap, pedal steel and banjo performed by Greg Leisz are what intrinsically make this sound country, the track further showcases the band’s ability to execute their core sound, in the absence of heavy use of distortion pedals and pounding double bass. A particularly enjoyable aspect of “Dear God” is getting to hear lead vocalist M. Shadow’s piercing voice become softer and more melodic. A measure that further instates his technical vocal abilities as top tier among contemporaries.

3 "The Giver"

Chappell Roan

First performing the song during her Saturday Night Live in November 2024, “The Giver” by Chappell Roan is a stark contrast from her electro-pop, eccentric debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Roan’s foray into the country sound is proving to be well executed, as it debuted at number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“The Giver” isn’t a shocking jolt for Roan’s core audience, as the slick production blends with her assertive, feminine vocals. It is more of an evolution for the artist, allowing Roan to continue her authentic storytelling and highlight of queer existence within the world. When the fiddle kicks in to guide the melody, you know exactly where this song is going. You feel eager to get up and a line dance. The up-tempo kick carries onward, driving the song forward and beckoning the audience to in when Roan enters the breakdown. Roan allows her voice to relax, and we even hear a southern twang during her vocal phrasing.

2 "Million Reasons"

Lady Gaga

Originally intended as just a promotional release to tease the album Joanne, Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons” would become cemented in her discography as the second single due to a surge in commercial popularity. The track is a stripped-down sound that audiences hadn’t yet experienced from Lady Gaga. It became a new era for her musically.

“Million Reasons” at its core is a conversational song, with the singer emotionally diving into the difficult, compromised relationships from her past. The open sound allows Lady Gaga’s voice to soar and bellow accompanied by piano and acoustic guitar. While the Joanne album as a whole was a genre departure for the pop-centric artist, “Million Reasons” is the standout. Lady Gaga’s raw talent is most embodied when she is just singing in a bare-bones environment. Her emotional exploration and lyrical fragility are earnest and exemplify her musical artistry.

1 "Texas Hold ‘Em"

Beyonce

When Beyoncé surprise-dropped the single “Texas Hold ‘Em” from her eighth studio album Cowboy Carter, audiences were enthralled with her new sound. The country pop-themed album is a notable change in her discography that sees the artist step away from the pop and hip-hop sound she has come to be recognized for.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is an unequivocal display of black southern musicality and helped focus light on those who’d already been involved in the country scene, such as Reyna Roberts. The song became a hit on both the country and pop charts, earning the artist her ninth solo number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Most importantly, the song ushered in an appreciation for Black country artists within the mainstream country music world. This level of effect was achieved because Beyoncé thoughtfully curated her sound and presentation, fully immersing herself within the country genre.