Welcome to the first of This Is Country Music's year-end installments! In our first set, we look at the 20 worst radio singles of 2016. The list was tabulated from a points sytem, taking into account rankings from myself (Markus), as well Zackary Kephart and Chris Baggs (chart guru and 91.3 podcast host). Enjoy, and stay tuned for our best-of list coming tomorrow!
#20
Kane Brown, "Used to love You Sober"
Kane Brown’s vocals are among the weakest I’ve heard in this genre in a long time. It’s particularly painful to listen to on “Used To Love You Sober.” It sounds like he’s attempting to go very deep…too deep for his vocal range and it comes off grating on this track. The song is also lyrically basic as can be. - Chris Baggs
Kane Brown, "Used to love You Sober"
Kane Brown’s vocals are among the weakest I’ve heard in this genre in a long time. It’s particularly painful to listen to on “Used To Love You Sober.” It sounds like he’s attempting to go very deep…too deep for his vocal range and it comes off grating on this track. The song is also lyrically basic as can be. - Chris Baggs
#19
Jason Aldean, "Lights Come On"
Normally I'd just write this off as another boring, overproduced Jason Aldean rocker. For God's sake though, this is seriosuly what you're giving us seven albums into your career? This song is proof that Jason Aldean is one of the worst artists out there when it comes to artistical evolution, and that line about him and his boys blowing things up really helps to establish this song's placement on this list. - Zackary Kephart
Jason Aldean, "Lights Come On"
Normally I'd just write this off as another boring, overproduced Jason Aldean rocker. For God's sake though, this is seriosuly what you're giving us seven albums into your career? This song is proof that Jason Aldean is one of the worst artists out there when it comes to artistical evolution, and that line about him and his boys blowing things up really helps to establish this song's placement on this list. - Zackary Kephart
#18
Granger Smith, "If The Boot Fits"
Honestly, this is more boring than outright atrocious, but still, can the production on this track be anymore lifeless? Even Granger doesn't sound like he cares, so why should we? The lyrics follow the typical checklist template that sound even more dated in 2016 as they did in 2014. - ZK
Granger Smith, "If The Boot Fits"
Honestly, this is more boring than outright atrocious, but still, can the production on this track be anymore lifeless? Even Granger doesn't sound like he cares, so why should we? The lyrics follow the typical checklist template that sound even more dated in 2016 as they did in 2014. - ZK
#17
Brett Eldredge, "Drunk On Your Love"
We overuse the phrase, “a nine-year could have wrote this”…but if I can’t use that phrase here, then when can I?
“I woke uh-uh-up
Still druh-uh-unk
On your luh-uh-ove, on your luh-uh-ove
Now I know why-eye-eye
I'm feeling so high-igh-igh" - CB
Brett Eldredge, "Drunk On Your Love"
We overuse the phrase, “a nine-year could have wrote this”…but if I can’t use that phrase here, then when can I?
“I woke uh-uh-up
Still druh-uh-unk
On your luh-uh-ove, on your luh-uh-ove
Now I know why-eye-eye
I'm feeling so high-igh-igh" - CB
#16
Florida Georgia Line, "H.O.L.Y"
Nothing says winning that special girl’s heart by saying “You’re holy” over and over and over and over again. No, I’m not discussing Nelly and Tim McGraw’s hit from over a decade ago, although that isn’t too far off in genre categorizing as most of FGL’s music. This song is dull and lacking in production and interesting instrumentation, plus being a straight up Pop song played on the Country music format. - CB
Florida Georgia Line, "H.O.L.Y"
Nothing says winning that special girl’s heart by saying “You’re holy” over and over and over and over again. No, I’m not discussing Nelly and Tim McGraw’s hit from over a decade ago, although that isn’t too far off in genre categorizing as most of FGL’s music. This song is dull and lacking in production and interesting instrumentation, plus being a straight up Pop song played on the Country music format. - CB
#15
Jake Owen ft. Chris Stapleton, "If He Ain't Gonna Love You"
This is honestly just......weird. I mean as a psychadelic rock song, I suppose it's alright albeit nothing special. However, considering this was released to country radio, it really doesn't work. The narrator's tone is way too arrogant, and honestly, do I really need to say how much Chris overpowers Jake here? The Stapleton add on might have been to help this song blow up, but it's really done the opposite, collecting very few sales thus far as well as a long, slow chart run for Jake. Maybe it wasn't the best option? - ZK
Jake Owen ft. Chris Stapleton, "If He Ain't Gonna Love You"
This is honestly just......weird. I mean as a psychadelic rock song, I suppose it's alright albeit nothing special. However, considering this was released to country radio, it really doesn't work. The narrator's tone is way too arrogant, and honestly, do I really need to say how much Chris overpowers Jake here? The Stapleton add on might have been to help this song blow up, but it's really done the opposite, collecting very few sales thus far as well as a long, slow chart run for Jake. Maybe it wasn't the best option? - ZK
#14
Chris Lane, "For Her"
Holy falsetto Batman! This song has the trademarks of some of Joey Moi's worst production here (that's saying something too), and the lyrics are compiled of nothing but cliches, making this song nothing more than just something to fill time on the radio, something I'd say about every track of Chris Lane's thus far. - ZK
Chris Lane, "For Her"
Holy falsetto Batman! This song has the trademarks of some of Joey Moi's worst production here (that's saying something too), and the lyrics are compiled of nothing but cliches, making this song nothing more than just something to fill time on the radio, something I'd say about every track of Chris Lane's thus far. - ZK
#13
Dierks Bentley, "Somewhere On a Beach"
This so, so beneath Dierks Bentley. One of the immature and arrogant records of the year, complete with a bland production and grating melody. There are some semblances of a good idea here, but it's execution is beyond poor. Perhaps the year's most dissapointing single. - Markus Meyer
Dierks Bentley, "Somewhere On a Beach"
This so, so beneath Dierks Bentley. One of the immature and arrogant records of the year, complete with a bland production and grating melody. There are some semblances of a good idea here, but it's execution is beyond poor. Perhaps the year's most dissapointing single. - Markus Meyer
#12
Brantley Gilbert, "The Weekend"
Brantley Gilbert at his worst. Re-hashed party lyrics that sound like they were passed over in 2013, obnxoxious production recalling "Kick It In the Sticks", and almost unbearable vocal performance. Literally nothing about this song is good. Gilbert can be one of the genre's best... But not when he's releasing this kind of effort. - MM
Brantley Gilbert, "The Weekend"
Brantley Gilbert at his worst. Re-hashed party lyrics that sound like they were passed over in 2013, obnxoxious production recalling "Kick It In the Sticks", and almost unbearable vocal performance. Literally nothing about this song is good. Gilbert can be one of the genre's best... But not when he's releasing this kind of effort. - MM
#11
Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King, "Different For Girls"
This song is on the “20 worst” list because of simple untruth. It typecasts most women as sobbing and not wanting a “rebound” after a breakup…which they often do. It also paints most men as trying to get laid and hook-up immediately after a breakup…which they often don’t. Some do, absolutely, but the lyrics tell a different story. A good melody and superb vocals cannot save misogynist lyrics. - CB
Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King, "Different For Girls"
This song is on the “20 worst” list because of simple untruth. It typecasts most women as sobbing and not wanting a “rebound” after a breakup…which they often do. It also paints most men as trying to get laid and hook-up immediately after a breakup…which they often don’t. Some do, absolutely, but the lyrics tell a different story. A good melody and superb vocals cannot save misogynist lyrics. - CB
#10
Chase Rice, "Whisper"
Why hear it from me when Chase Rice himself can tell you that this sucks?
Lol at that #56 peak too. - ZK
Chase Rice, "Whisper"
Why hear it from me when Chase Rice himself can tell you that this sucks?
Lol at that #56 peak too. - ZK
#9
Dustin Lynch, "Seein' Red"
A completely phoned-in, non-country piece of processed dreck. There is not one redeemable aspect of this song, and is further evidence that Dustin Lynch is fully content with redoing the same song, with a less country arrangement, time and time and time again. - MM
Dustin Lynch, "Seein' Red"
A completely phoned-in, non-country piece of processed dreck. There is not one redeemable aspect of this song, and is further evidence that Dustin Lynch is fully content with redoing the same song, with a less country arrangement, time and time and time again. - MM
#8
Chris Lane, "Fix"
A weak metaphor backed by an even worse production style. At it's best, it's cluttered pop, and in no way, shape, or form should this record be considered country music. Chris Lane has talent, but he should either use it for country music, or make his way to the exit. - MM
Chris Lane, "Fix"
A weak metaphor backed by an even worse production style. At it's best, it's cluttered pop, and in no way, shape, or form should this record be considered country music. Chris Lane has talent, but he should either use it for country music, or make his way to the exit. - MM
#7
Jana Kramer, "Said No One Ever"
Jana Kramer has been most succesful commercially, and in terms of quality, when she records reflective and interesting songs, backed by an intimate country arrangement (see: "I Got the Boy"). Why she released a song as obnoxious and honestly, pointless, as this one, I will never know. A dreadful hook, terrible vocal, and grating production don't help matters. - MM
Jana Kramer, "Said No One Ever"
Jana Kramer has been most succesful commercially, and in terms of quality, when she records reflective and interesting songs, backed by an intimate country arrangement (see: "I Got the Boy"). Why she released a song as obnoxious and honestly, pointless, as this one, I will never know. A dreadful hook, terrible vocal, and grating production don't help matters. - MM
#6
Clare Dunn, "Tuxedo"
The vocal arrangement for “Tuxedo” is not only an aspect that should probably not be in the Country format, but it’s also extremely grating. The song was tested with other songs off Clare’s EP before being sent to radio, which is baffling because it was among the worst researching singles of the year. - CB
Clare Dunn, "Tuxedo"
The vocal arrangement for “Tuxedo” is not only an aspect that should probably not be in the Country format, but it’s also extremely grating. The song was tested with other songs off Clare’s EP before being sent to radio, which is baffling because it was among the worst researching singles of the year. - CB
#5
Steven Tyler, "Red, White and You"
This song makes me more sad than anything. It's baffling that a man of his age and musical ability would feel the need to record a Chase Rice ripoff of the lowest degree. This just... Depresses me. "Free fallin' into your yum yum"? Um... No. Lyrics aside, the production and vocals are almost equally as bad. It's a rather unfortunate moment in country music history. - MM
Steven Tyler, "Red, White and You"
This song makes me more sad than anything. It's baffling that a man of his age and musical ability would feel the need to record a Chase Rice ripoff of the lowest degree. This just... Depresses me. "Free fallin' into your yum yum"? Um... No. Lyrics aside, the production and vocals are almost equally as bad. It's a rather unfortunate moment in country music history. - MM
#4
The Band Perry, "Comeback Kid"
I’m slightly disappointed I only get two paragraphs to reflect on this one. I truly though The Band Perry couldn’t possibly release a single to Country radio worse than “Live Forever”…oops. At best, this song is bizarre. For those who don’t know, the lyrics are a direct shot at the backlash the band received from “Live Forever” and the shelved cross-over album, Heart + Beat.
“How dare you forget where I started out…uh oh, uh oh”
That’s a reference to the band’s #1 single from 2010, “If I Die Young.”
“I believe it’s been a year, the worst one I’ve ever lived.”
It was exactly one year from the release of “Live Forever” to “Comeback Kid”.
I could go on because the entire song is a gigantic “F You” to anyone who disliked the band’s musical direction in 2015. The truth is nobody enjoys kicking you when you’re down. They express opinions over what they deem bad music. Every. Single. Artist. Is. Open. To. It. The way this band treated “Live Forever’s” chart bomb and the exiting from Big Machine Label Group couldn’t have gone any more childish (included deleted their tweets/Twitter account and removing “Live Forever” from YouTube for a short period of time). This was my vote for worst song of 2016. - CB
The Band Perry, "Comeback Kid"
I’m slightly disappointed I only get two paragraphs to reflect on this one. I truly though The Band Perry couldn’t possibly release a single to Country radio worse than “Live Forever”…oops. At best, this song is bizarre. For those who don’t know, the lyrics are a direct shot at the backlash the band received from “Live Forever” and the shelved cross-over album, Heart + Beat.
“How dare you forget where I started out…uh oh, uh oh”
That’s a reference to the band’s #1 single from 2010, “If I Die Young.”
“I believe it’s been a year, the worst one I’ve ever lived.”
It was exactly one year from the release of “Live Forever” to “Comeback Kid”.
I could go on because the entire song is a gigantic “F You” to anyone who disliked the band’s musical direction in 2015. The truth is nobody enjoys kicking you when you’re down. They express opinions over what they deem bad music. Every. Single. Artist. Is. Open. To. It. The way this band treated “Live Forever’s” chart bomb and the exiting from Big Machine Label Group couldn’t have gone any more childish (included deleted their tweets/Twitter account and removing “Live Forever” from YouTube for a short period of time). This was my vote for worst song of 2016. - CB
#3
Blake Shelton, "She's Got a Way With Words"
This was the single that snapped Blake’s ridiculous #1 streak, which dates all the way back to 2010…it didn’t even reach the top 5. After one listen, you can understand why more than a few were turned off by its crude lyrics. It’s indistinguishable production and sub-par melody did little to save it. If someone other than Shelton released the song, it wouldn’t have come near the top 30. - CB
Blake Shelton, "She's Got a Way With Words"
This was the single that snapped Blake’s ridiculous #1 streak, which dates all the way back to 2010…it didn’t even reach the top 5. After one listen, you can understand why more than a few were turned off by its crude lyrics. It’s indistinguishable production and sub-par melody did little to save it. If someone other than Shelton released the song, it wouldn’t have come near the top 30. - CB
#2
Luke Bryan, "Move"
Okay, so imagine "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)". Okay, now imagine it's worse, and not fun. You get "Move". It takes itself way too seriously for a song about a girl moving her body, and even it didn't it would still suck. Ir's about as irritating and slam-the-P2-button-as-fast-as-you-can worthy as anything this year. It might just be Luke Bryan's worst moment. - MM
Luke Bryan, "Move"
Okay, so imagine "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)". Okay, now imagine it's worse, and not fun. You get "Move". It takes itself way too seriously for a song about a girl moving her body, and even it didn't it would still suck. Ir's about as irritating and slam-the-P2-button-as-fast-as-you-can worthy as anything this year. It might just be Luke Bryan's worst moment. - MM
#1
Thomas Rhett, "Vacation"
Country music really was on an upswing this year. Hell, I don't even dislike some songs on this list! However, this song may be the absolute worst song ever released not just to country radio, but music in general. Yeah, it's catchy, but that doesn't make up for the absolutely atrocious lyrical content as well as Thomas Rhett's nasally vocal tone. Plus it took sixteen fucking songwriters to pen this shit. Granted, some of them didn't actually help write it so much as just give Thomas "inspiration" for the melody, but still, there's no excuse for this song. Even Chevy Chase doesn't want to go on this vacation. - ZK
Thomas Rhett, "Vacation"
Country music really was on an upswing this year. Hell, I don't even dislike some songs on this list! However, this song may be the absolute worst song ever released not just to country radio, but music in general. Yeah, it's catchy, but that doesn't make up for the absolutely atrocious lyrical content as well as Thomas Rhett's nasally vocal tone. Plus it took sixteen fucking songwriters to pen this shit. Granted, some of them didn't actually help write it so much as just give Thomas "inspiration" for the melody, but still, there's no excuse for this song. Even Chevy Chase doesn't want to go on this vacation. - ZK
