10 of Country Music’s Most Tearjerking Songs

Every once in a while a song will hit you right in the feels. Country singers seem to have a way of stringing words and notes together to stir up your emotions and evoke a tearful response. Even if the scenario in a song isn’t something that’s happened in your own life, the raw and real storytelling is enough to bring on the waterworks.

Grab your tissues, because here are 10 country songs that will make you shed plenty of tears:

“I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice

After his brother dies in action while serving in the Army, the narrator drives his truck exactly the way it was when the brother last drove it, down to the change in the ashtray and the radio station on the dial. While some people may go to a gravestone to remember someone who has passed, the truck is a tangible memory that allows the narrator to feel close to his brother even after he is gone.

“Over You” by Miranda Lambert

This track was inspired by the death of Blake Shelton’s older brother, Ritchie, with lyrics that convey the hurt and anger that follow the death of a loved one. Their death is something you learn to deal with, but as the song points out, it’s something you never get over.

“God’s Will” by Martina McBride

The narrator of the song recalls the life-changing moment when she met Will, a young boy with a physical disability. Despite his differences from the other kids his age, Will had a more positive outlook in life than anyone else. Will’s persistent smile was a reminder that some of the struggles we face in life are minuscule and trivial.

“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton

Written by Parton as a farewell tribute to her mentor Porter Wagoner at the end of her time on his television show, “I Will Always Love You” has not only touched  audiences in its original version, but via Whitney Houston’s 1992 version as well. Though the song is about leaving somebody, it is filled with gratitude for all the good memories that came out of the relationship.

“Alyssa Lies” by Jason Michael Carroll

In this song, the narrator’s daughter meets a new friend at school, Alyssa, who is being abused at home. Alyssa lies to everybody about what happened to her, and no one notices the signs of the abuse. Once the narrator learns about Alyssa, he finds that he it is too late to save her.

“Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley ft. Alison Krauss

After a devastating breakup, the male character in the song drinks himself to death. The female character blames herself for his death, and she tragically dies in the same way. Mix the lyrical content with Alison Krauss’s hauntingly angelic vocals and the music video, and you have one of the ultimate country tearjerkers.

“You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell

Just as Swindell’s career was taking off, he received news that his father had unexpectedly passed away. In “You Should Be Here,” Swindell sings of all the incredible moments that will never quite be complete without his dad there to experience them.

“Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan

The song’s story of receiving unanticipated news of a loss and having to spend some time alone to cope resonated with Bryan, who unexpectedly lost both of his older siblings. Sometimes, the only way to react to such a shocking loss is to head out to the pier and drink a beer, just as you did with them while they were still alive.

“Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery

The song, written in honor of McCreery’s late grandfather, recalls the all-too-brief moments in life you wish you had more time to enjoy. Time flies by, and the good times are gone far too quickly.

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones

In this heart-wrenching George Jones classic, the protagonist of the song faces a breakup, but he says that he will love her until the day he dies. She remains in his heart and mind throughout the years, and only after he dies does his love for her fade away.