Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

1990 No. 1 Hit Ranked Best Country Song of All Time Still Holds Up Today

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Matthew Thomas | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 12:12 PM ET

An iconic anthem from 1990 has been ranked as the best country song of all time. Garth Brooks' 'Friends in Low Places' remains truly great decades after it topped the chart for weeks.

Who Ranked Garth Brooks' 1990 Hit 'Friends in Low Places' the Greatest Country Song Ever?

In May 2019, SiriusXM put together a list of the 1,000 greatest country songs of all time. It featured classics from legendary and beloved artists like Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton, among others. At the very top of the ranking was Garth Brooks' smash 'Friends in Low Places.'

Released on August 6, 1990, Garth Brooks' track never crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, but it became a huge country music megahit. After quickly reaching the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on August 18, 'Friends in Low Places' climbed to No. 1 on October 6 and stayed there for four weeks.

The Top 10: Sirius XM's Top Country Songs of All Time:

#10 – 'El Paso' – Marty Robbins (1959)
#9 – 'Dirt Road Anthem' – Jason Aldean (2010)
#8 – 'King of the Road' – Roger Miller (1965)
#7 – 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' – Charlie Daniels Band (1979)
#6 – 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' – George Jones (1980)
#5 – 'Springsteen' – Eric Church (2011)
#4 – 'I Will Always Love You' – Dolly Parton (1974)
#3 – 'Folsom Prison Blues' – Johnny Cash (1957)
#2 – 'Crazy' – Patsy Cline (1961)
#1 – 'Friends in Low Places' – Garth Brooks (1990)

Why One 1990 Country Classic Still Unites Fans Everywhere Today

Anyone who follows online music conversations will already know that debates can become incredibly heated, to say the least. That makes it truly remarkable when a song manages to bring people together, even if only for a moment. There are many reasons why fans love 'Friends in Low Places,' but its greatest attribute is the stunning way it still brings people together decades later.

In September 2025, Backstage Country called 'Friends in Low Places' a "boot-stomping singalong," which is a perfect description of what has made it continue to hold up. Something about the track practically demands that people in bars, karaoke rooms, weddings, and other gatherings belt out the lyrics when it comes on. It is even common for people who typically reject country music to join in because its appeal is undeniable for many.

The song's staying power is also shown whenever contemporary artists cover it. A perfect example of that came in July 2025 when Ashley Cooke welcomed Jelly Roll out on stage during one of her concerts, and the duo performed the iconic song together live.