The 20 most iconic country music songwriters

One of country music's most prolific hitmakers, Tom T. Hall penned 12 #1 hits throughout his decorated career, including the legendary "Harper Valley P.T.A.," recorded by Jeannie C. Riley. 

Ask pretty much any country fan about their favorite songwriters, and John Prine will definitely be at the top of the list. A native Kentuckian, Prine had a real knack for seeing the beauty in the world and being able to express it in an especially beautiful way. Listen to songs like "Paradise" and "Sam Stone" for proof. 

Right now, there's probably no more powerful songwriter in Nashville than Shane McAnally. He's written hits for some of the genre's biggest artists, including Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Dierks Bentley, and broken out of the country music bubble to write for pop and R&B stars like Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. 

An architect of Americana music, Guy Clark is also responsible for some of the genre's most iconic songs, including "Rita Ballou" and "Homegrown Tomatoes." He's also written songs that have become hits for other artists, including Vince Gill's "Oklahoma Borderline" and country supergroup The Highwaymen's version of "Desperados Waiting For A Train." 

Hank Williams is one of the best songwriters in any genre of music, country or otherwise. Williams had an incredible ability to distill his heartache and pain, evidenced in songs like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Lovesick Blues." 

The mind behind some of country music's most iconic songs, including "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and "Me and Bobby Magee," Kris Kristofferson has always been a writer, penning essays for The Atlantic before heading off to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. 

With songs like "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," and "Jolene" under her belt, there's no denying that Dolly Parton is one of country music's most talented songwriters. She's also one of its most prolific, having written upwards of 3,000 songs by her own estimation. 

A talented performer in her own right, Lori McKenna is also the definition of a hitmaker. She's won two Grammy awards and penned #1s for Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Little Big Town, among a host of other artists. 

With his distinctive vocals and often plaintive lyrics, nobody writes a country song like Willie Nelson. He's responsible for some truly iconic tunes, ranging from the Christmas classic "Pretty Paper" to "You Were Always On My Mind" and "Crazy." 

Johnny Cash remains one of country music's founding fathers, and that's due in large part to the songs he left behind. From "Get Rhythm" to "Folsom Prison Blues," there's no denying Cash's influence on the genre. 

Townes Van Zandt struggled with addiction and mental illness during his life, but that didn't stop him from becoming one of country music's most influential songwriters. Beyond "Pancho and Lefty," his influence can still be felt today among Americana's most promising writers. 

If you're a fan of George Strait, you've definitely heard a Dean Dillon song. He's the mind behind many of Strait's most iconic tunes, including "Marina Del Rey," "The Chair," and "Ocean Front Property." He also penned hits for Keith Whitley, including the iconic "Miami, My Amy," and Toby Keith, Vince Gill, and Lee Ann Womack. 

There are few songwriters in country music who are more plain-spoken and direct than Loretta Lynn, the original "Coal Miner's Daughter." She also pushed social boundaries with "The Pill," fiercely fought for her marriage on "Fist City," and collaborated with Jack White on "Van Lear Rose." 

Even if he had only written the emotional memorial song "Go Rest High On That Mountain," that would be enough to count Vince Gill among country's finest songwriters. But he's also penned or co-written so many other classics, including "Liza Jane" and "Whenever You Come Around." 

Before he became a household name in country music himself, Chris Stapleton was a prolific Nashville songwriter, writing tunes for all sorts of stars. His credits include Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer," "Your Man" by Josh Turner, and of course, plenty of his own hits, like "Parachute" and "Fire Away." 

A songwriter's songwriter, Texan Rodney Crowell has penned a slew of country favorites, including "Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight," "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues," and "Ashes By Now," the latter of which scored Lee Ann Womack a crossover pop-country hit. 

Having written for Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, and more artists, Natalie Hemby has been one of the most successful songwriters of the 2000s. She's also an incredibly talented performer, and part of the country super-group The Highwomen alongside Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris. 

In the 1990s, Matraca Berg's songs — including Deana Carter's iconic "Strawberry Wine," Martina McBride's "Wild Angels," and "If I Fall You're Goin Down With Me" by The Chicks — ruled the airwaves. 

Drawing from his own personal experiences — including the time when he did actually turn 21 while serving time in prison — Merle Haggard penned some of country music's most iconic tunes, from "Mama Tried" to "Okie From Muskogee" and "Silver Wings." 

Few writers can produce songs as catchy and clever as Roger Miller, whose music career ran the gamut from "King of the Road" to the beloved soundtrack for Disney's 1973 animated film "Robin Hood."