Whether your personal taste favors Reba McEntire classics or Luke Combs' latest country radio hit, there's something for you in the catalog of one of today's most gifted stars, Carly Pearce.
The former Dollywood performer and bluegrass vocalist's best songs so far, from punchy banjo tune "Honeysuckle" to the more pop-friendly "Closer to You," have made her a regular on the Grand Ole Opry stage (she officially became a member in 2021, following an invite from former boss Dolly Parton) and a welcome reinforcement in Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and others' push to bring fresh voices to radio playlists and awards show broadcasts.
Along the way, the Taylor Mill, Kent. native has recorded some truly great songs, from the first-person confessionals on her 29 album to Ashley McBryde duet "Never Wanted to Be That Girl," which is among the best mainstream country collaborations of the young decade.
For a small taste of what makes the former ACM Female Artist of the Year and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year so special, check out this rundown of her 20 best songs.
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Pearce's first guest spot that made her career upside undeniable wasn't with a Nashville star. Instead, Texas country mainstay the Josh Abbott Band recruited Pearce to tell the other side of morning-after musings. Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CRS A rewarding deep cut in a treasure trove of great songs, "Heart's Going Out of Its Mind" incorporates folk and bluegrass instrumentation from Pearce's past while still landing a pop-country punch. It's not unlike the formula that's long worked for fellow grasser Dierks Bentley. Terry Wyatt/WireImage Cold takedowns have never sounded more fun than the ones sung by Kelsea Ballerini and special guests Pearce and Kelly Clarkson. It's a product of the spirit of collaboration that's swept Nashville in recent years and brought outsiders like Clarkson into the fold. Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images As it should, this list puts over Pearce's multiple talents by focusing heavily on songs she either co-wrote or cut first. It's worth pausing that approach briefly and applauding her skill as a song interpreter, as heard on this folksy cover of a Chicks classic. For something similar, look up her bluegrass cover of Kathy Mattea's "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses." John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT The nostalgic vibes captured a few years later in Lainey Wilson's "Watermelon Moonshine" — and beforehand by Deana Carter's "Strawberry Wine"— make this flashback one of the best examples of Pearce as a songwriter. Pearce didn't write this one, but it's believable that she lived every word. Mickey Bernal/Getty Images A fellow bluegrasser from Kentucky whose brought those roots to the mainstream, Chris Stapleton brings his husky voice to the latest mile marker in Pearce's journey to country music immortality. Despite its title, it's an ice-cold breakup song about the ashes that remain after the fire is gone. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM As its title drives home, "Country Music Made Me Do It" dives deep into the genre's lyrical lore with a celebratory tone. Musically, it modernizes classic instrumental and vocal tropes, not unlike the approach taken by Alabama on some of the band's more nostalgic material. Jason Kempin/Getty Images A violin opening — not fiddle accompaniment — sets the mood for this venomous clap back at an unfaithful partner. It's one of many examples of Pearce processing well-publicized heartbreak in song. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMA Though she's upped her profile in recent times with tunes filled with post-relationship vitriol, Pearce shines as bright when she's singing old-fashioned love songs. With "Closer to You," she basks in the euphoria of a new love. Mickey Bernal/Getty Images "What He Didn't Do" crosses a couple of streams that set Pearce's songs apart from those of most peers. As its title telegraphs, it's yet another takedown of a disloyal former partner. There's also a bluegrass undercurrent that makes it stand out from the modern Nashville pack. Mindy Small/FilmMagic Pearce hesitates about seeing an old flame when they come back to town in this playful pop-country banger from her debut mainstream album. While "Heart's Going Out of Its Mind" established Pearce's potential, this one marks her arrival as a can't-miss superstar. Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images For her tribute to fellow Kentuckian and guiding light Loretta Lynn, Pearce teamed with another Bluegrass State native, Patty Loveless. Instead of simply telling Lynn that she loves her songs, Pearce longs to hash out her life experiences with her hero. It hits even harder since Lynn's 2022 death. Debra L. Rothenberg/Getty Images Pearce's 29, a seven-song EP released in Feb. 2021 by Big Machine Records (and expanded since to 29: Written in Stone), tells a warts-and-all account of the final year of her 20s— namely her eight-month marriage to fellow country singer Michael Ray. Beyond that context, its title track should be relatable to a lot of 20 and 30-somethings who've found that graduating from college in six years or less didn't equal a smooth transition to the adult life they expected because of our parents or popular culture. Michael Hickey/Getty Images Another song perceived as autobiographical, this acoustic-propelled Pearce co-write with Emily Shackelton and Jordan Reynolds tells an ex-lover that they should've fully weighed the consequences of their actions. Along with other tracks on the 29 EP, "Should've Known Better" signaled Pearce's rededication to her traditional country storytelling roots.. Erika Goldring/WireImage One of the most heartfelt big league duets in recent years teamed Pearce with fellow vocal powerhouse Lee Brice. The No. 1 country airplay hit and Top 30 pop single appears on both Pearce's self-titled 2020 album and Brice's Hey World. For the 2020 CMA Awards, which Brice missed due to a positive COVID-19 test, Lady A's Charles Kelley joined Pearce to tell both sides of a breakup. "I Hope You're Happy Now" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2020 CMA Awards. Though that accolade went to Maren Morris for "The Bones," Pearce and Brice did take home the award for Musical Event of the Year. Michael Hickey/Getty Images Pearce, Shackelton and the song's producer, busbee, co-wrote one of the strongest opening statements by any 21st century country artist. The Billboard chart-topping tale of heartbreak became the title track of the Nashville star's debut album, which also brought us another pace-setting single, "Hide the Wine." Scott Legato/Getty Images Pearce's finest hour so far as a ballad-singing vocal powerhouse came in 2020 with these words of encouragement for others amid a transitional phase in their life. In that lies part of the magic of Pearce— by sharing her truth in song, she tells stories that are deeply relatable to a new generation of country fans. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images Pearce and close friend McBryde's first collaboration addresses an unfortunate yet hardly uncommon scenario. Like Bobby Bare, Liz Anderson and Norma Jean's "Game of Triangles" before it, this one considers both women who've been romantically involved with a two-timing man. As a bonus, it brought us Pearce's best music video to date. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia More than the Dobro accompaniment on "Next Girl" points back to '90s country. Its story-driven lyrics also find Pearce filling the shoes of Kathy Mattea, fellow Kentucky native (and "Dear Miss Loretta" collaborator") Patty Loveless and other country music greats from her childhood. Pearce co-wrote it with fellow '90s aficionados Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Busbee, a go-to producer and songwriter for Pearce, Morris, Keith Urban and other Nashville stars, died from brain cancer in 2019. Pearce honored the 43 year old's memory with this, the saddest country song since Brice's "I Drive Your Truck." It's built on the Christian belief that we'll see loved ones again on the other side of eternity."Wasn't That Drunk" (Josh Abbott Band's Front Seat, 2015)
"Heart's Going Out of Its Mind" (Carly Pearce, 2020)
"You're Drunk, Go Home" (Feat. Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson) (Ballerini's Subject to Change, 2022)
"Cowboy Take Me Away" (Single, 2020)
"I Need a Ride Home" (Every Little Thing, 2017)
"We Don't Fight Anymore" (Feat. Chris Stapleton) (Single, 2023)
"Country Music Made Me Do It" (Heels Over Head single, 2023)
"Diamondback" (29: Written in Stone, 2021)
"Closer to You" (Carly Pearce, 2020)
"What He Didn't Do" (29: Written in Stone, 2021)
"Hide the Wine" (Every Little Thing, 2017)
"Dear Miss Loretta" Feat. Patty Loveless (29: Written in Stone, 2021)
"29" (29, 2021)
"Should've Known Better" (29, 2021)
"I Hope You're Happy Now" (with Lee Brice) (Carly Pearce, 2020)
"Every Little Thing" (Every Little Thing, 2017)
"It Won't Always Be Like This" (Carly Pearce, 2020)
"Never Wanted to Be That Girl" (Feat. Ashley McBryde) (29: Written in Stone, 2021)
"Next Girl" (29, 2021)
"Show Me Around" (29, 2021)
Editor's Note: This story was previously published on Feb. 2, 2023. It was updated on Nov. 7, 2023.
