27 Best Songs About Nashville Ever
Nashville, Tennessee, is nicknamed The Music City, and there’s no mystery as to why. Producing many music superstars, a number of these stars have gone on to write about the city itself.
Below are the best songs about Nashville ever, from world-renowned artists and local musicians alike.
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1. “Nashville Without You” by Tim McGraw
Song Year: 2013
Tim McGraw has one of the best love songs about Nashville with his song “Nashville Without You.”
The lyrics of this country song paint a scene of all the fun and interesting things about Nashville, only to say that none of those things would exist if not for the person he loves.
2. “Murder On Music Row” by Alan Jackson & George Strait
Song Year: 2000
Alan Jackson and George Strait offer their commentary on the modern music scene in Nashville with the country song “Murder On Music Row.”
This slow and soothing song tells the tale of how the traditions of country music died in Nashville because everyone focuses on becoming a celebrity.
“Murder On Music Row” laments the loss of steel guitars and fiddles and how these traditional instruments in country music have gotten replaced by rock and roll sounds.
3. “Crazy Town” by Jason Aldean
Song Year: 2009
One of the best country songs about Nashville, Tennessee, is “Crazy Town” by Jason Aldean.
In this upbeat country song, Jason Aldean sings about how Nashville is country music’s version of Hollywood and the highs and lows of living in The Music City. The song shares stories of the dues struggling artists must pay to make it big in that “Crazy Town.”
4. “Down on Music Row” by Dolly Parton
Song Year: 1973
Dolly Parton is one of the biggest names out of Tennessee, and she pays homage to her home state with the song “Down on Music Row” from her album, My Tennessee Mountain Home.
Music Row is a street in Nashville that’s lined with record labels, recording studios, and radio stations. In this song, Parton sings about walking down the street trying to find someone who’ll listen to her music and give her a record deal.
5. “Nashville Skyline Rag” by Bob Dylan
Song Year: 1969
One of the best songs about Nashville is from Bob Dylan’s album Nashville Skyline, titled “Nashville Skyline Rag.”
In this instrumental song, folk singer and songwriter Bob Dylan plays a ragtime tune with a bouncing melody and striding beat with piano solos that’ll have you tapping your toes.
6. “Nashville Cats” by The Lovin' Spoonful
Song Year: 1966
“Nashville Cats” by The Lovin' Spoonful is an exceptional song to add to a Nashville-themed playlist. This country-blues song highlights why Nashville is called the Music City because there are more talented musicians in Nashville than ants on an anthill.
The lyrics share how hard it is to make it in Nashville because the competition is so high with such a wide talent pool in one area.
7. “Nashville Bum” by Waylon Jennings
Song Year: 1966
Waylon Jennings shares the story of a starving artist looking to make it big in Nashville’s music scene in his country song “Nashville Bum.”
This is one of the songs about Nashville that shows the difficult journey of pursuing a dream. While Jennings is convinced that his big break will come, before that day happens, he’ll have to live like a “Nashville Bum.”
8. “Sundown In Nashville” by Marty Stuart
Song Year: 2003
Marty Stuart pays tribute to the city of Nashville in his country song “Sundown In Nashville.” Backed by fiddles and strumming guitars, Stuart shares a day in the life of struggling musicians trying to get famous in Nashville.
While days in The Music City are vibrant and full of potential once the sun sets, those who didn’t get their break gather from 16th Street to Broadway to nurse their broken dreams.
9. “I Love This Town” by Bon Jovi
Song Year: 2007
Bon Jovi has one of the best songs about Nashville from their album Lost Highway. “I Love This Town” is a happy rock song about Music City, its friendly residents, and its vibrant energy.
Though the band isn’t from Tennessee, Bon Jovi shares how welcome and at home they feel every time they visit Nashville.
10. “Visit Me in Music City” by Bobby Bare Jr.
Song Year: 2004
“Visit Me in Music City” is an exceptional song about Nashville by country musician Bobby Bare Jr.
This song begins with poetic lyrics about how Bobby Bare Jr. was born into music, saying that the man crowned as the king of country music, Roy Acuff, cut his umbilical cord. The lyrics continue to share happy memories of growing up amongst the talented people of Nashville.
