Destination Jam: Celebrate #CountryMusicDay with five of the greatest tunes the genre has to offer
The International Country Music Day is upon us, so naturally, it's time to delve into some country classics. Established in the 1950s and held annually on September 17, this is a day usually marked by country music festivals held worldwide. Amidst a global pandemic and an ongoing lockdown, this is certainly not the year for celebration, but nonetheless, country lovers are finding their own ways to come together virtually and partake in the joy of the genre. And as the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards give both country musicians and fans a reason to tune in and sing along, we're going through our list of five of the greatest country songs ever written.
Johnny Cash - 'I Walk the Line'
Written by Cash in 1956, 'I Walk the Line' became the singer's first number-one hit on the Billboard charts. Cash was originally inspired to craft the unique chord progression of this track by the backwards playback of guitar runs he heard on his tape recorder while he was in the Air Force stationed in Germany. He would later pen the track in one night while backstage in Gladewater, Texas, in honor of his new bride, Vivian Liberto. 'I Walk the Line' would go on to become one of the '500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll', as per the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stones additionally counts the track as one of the greatest country songs of all time.
