Billboard Magazine Announces Top 50 Country Songs of 2011

This time of year is just full of lists from the previous 12 months.  One of the best (in my humble opinion) is the listing of the top 50 Country songs of the year as compiled by our friends at Billboard Magazine.

Billboard.com has released their year-end Top Country Songs chart for 2011. Whether you agree or disagree with the individual placement, you'll have to admit that this was a banner year for country and country artists of all stripes. 

It was a year of the power of the youngsters like Taylor Swift and the Band Perry.  How about the unstoppable Mr. Kenny Chesney?  Zac Brown and his band had a banner year, as did Lady Antebellum.  Yep, it's going to be hard to top the talent that was showcased in 2011.  But, I'm pretty sure 2012 will have its own surprises too.

For those keeping score, these are the artists with songs on the final 50 list:

Eli Young Band *  Blake Shelton * Toby Keith * Darius Rucker * Ronnie Dunn * Jake Owen * Trace Adkins * Luke Bryan * Taylor Swift * Rodney Atkins * Billy Currington * Miranda Lambert * Thompson Square * Chris Young * George Strait * Jason Aldean *  Rascal Flatts * The Band Perry * Zac Brown Band * Jerrod Niemann * Brad Paisley * Dierks Bentley * Lady Antebellum * Sara Evans * Brantley Gilbert * Kenny Chesney * Justin Moore  * Keith Urban *  Tim McGraw *  Billy Currington * Craig Campbell * Carrie Underwood.       

Here are the 50 most popular country songs of the year based on radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen BDS.

1. “Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band
2. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” – Jake Owen
3. “Take A Back Road” – Rodney Atkins
4. “Tomorrow” – Chris Young
5. “You Lie” – The Band Perry
6. “Am I The Only One” – Dierks Bentley
7. “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney
8. “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
9. “Just Fishin’” – Trace Adkins
10. “Let Me Down Easy” – Billy Currington
11. “Here For A Good Time” – George Strait
12. “Knee Deep” – Zac Brown Band
13. “Just A Kiss” – Lady Antebellum
14. “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” – Justin Moore
15. “Made In America” – Toby Keith
16. “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” – Luke Bryan
17. “Heart Like Mine” – Miranda Lambert
18. “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
19. “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson
20. “What Do You Want” – Jerrod Niemann
21. “A Little Big Stronger” – Sara Evans
22. “Long Hot Summer” – Keith Urban
23. “This” – Darius Rucker
24. “Mean” – Taylor Swift
25. “Dirt Road Anthem” – Jason Aldean
26. “Remind Me” – Brad Paisley w/Carrie Underwood
27. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Thompson Square
28. “I Won’t Let Go” – Rascal Flatts
29. “Without You” – Keith Urban
30. “Country Must Be Country Wide” – Brantley Gilbert
31. “Somewhere With You” – Kenny Chesney
32. “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – Blake Shelton
33. “Someone Else Calling You Baby” – Luke Bryan
34. “This Is Country Music” – Brad Paisley
35. “Voices” – Chris Young
36. “I Got You” – Thompson Square
37. “Sparks Fly” – Taylor Swift
38. “Back To December” – Taylor Swift
39. “Colder Weather” – Zac Brown Band
40. “Hello World” – Lady Antebellum
41. “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley
42. “Put You In A Song” – Keith Urban
43. “Felt Good On My Lips” – Tim McGraw
44. “Bleed Red” – Ronnie Dunn
45. “Baggage Claim” – Miranda Lambert
46. “Live A Little” – Kenny Chesney
47. “Love Done Gone” – Billy Currington
48. “One More Drinkin’ Song” – Jerrod Niemann
49. “Family Man” – Craig Campbell
50. “Mama’s Song” – Carrie Underwood