Cowboys (and girls) may not have the easiest time talking about their emotions. But hand them a guitar and they'll bring you to tears with a sweetly strummed love ballad.
Because there's more to country music than sheer attitude, we've put together some of the best, chart-topping romantic love songs the genre has to offer.
'Just to See You Smile' by Tim McGraw
Sometimes love is bittersweet. After this Tim McGraw song was released in August 1997, it spent 42 weeks on the Billboard country charts, setting a record for longest-running single since the inception of Nielsen Soundscan in 1990. A "Country Universe" review of the song sounds like a complex love letter in itself, saying that McGraw "plays his cards so close to his chest that upon first listen, you may only pick up on his unconditional love and selflessness toward the girl who's been stringing him along for all these year."
'God Gave Me You' by Blake Shelton
This tender love song was originally written by contemporary Christian music singer Dave Barnes. The song that some fans said "saved marriages or became a theme for a couple's relationship" made such an impression on Blake Shelton that he adapted it one year after first hearing it while driving in his truck. Shelton also said it inspired him to propose to then-girlfriend Miranda Lambert.
'I Will Always Love You' by Dolly Parton
As much as everyone loves the Whitney Houston version, playing this original Dolly Parton song that inspired the "Bodyguard" hit will make a special impression on your special someone. The 1974 single was written as a farewell to Parton's former partner and lover Porter Wagner when Dolly decided to pursue a solo career.
'Breathe' by Faith Hill
"Breathe" was a major hit for Faith Hill, marking her seventh number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart in the US.
'If I Told You' by Darius Rucker
The former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman has carved out an impressive career as a solo star in the last few years. Rucker said this cut from his 2007 album "When Was the Last Time" affected listeners so much that "it shocked me how many people reached out to me to say, 'This is my life.'"
'You're Still the One' by Shania Twain
Possibly the mother of all love ballads, Shania Twain wrote "You're Still the One" in response to criticism of her relationship with South African record producer Mutt Lange. She actually wrote the song with Lange. In her memoir "From This Moment On," Twain said that the song came together during a creative session in which Lange's singing of the counter line as backing vocals led Twain to sing the chorus melody.
'Take Me There' by Rascal Flatts
This song about wanting to "know the girl behind that pretty stare" was the first single from their album "Still Feels Good" and their eighth number 1 hit on the Hot Country Songs Chart.
'Wanted' by Hunter Hayes
The second single from Hayes' 2011 self-titled debut album, this song is about the desire to make a lover feel wanted. "At the time, I was trying to tell somebody something, but I couldn't figure out how to say it," Hayes said of the song. "So I wanted to say it in music because I know it would be a little more impactful." It was! The song's slot at number one made Hayes the youngest solo male artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart.
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