Every new interest comes with a mountain of things you don’t know. Country music is no different; even just listening to the best of today’s roster, you’ll hear plenty of references to icons of the past. With a “Hank” here, and a “Merle” there, new listeners likely question how everyone has found the time to absorb all of the rich history of the genre. If you’re not sure where to begin, this article is here to help.
While there are plenty of eras and artists to choose from, the eighties are a perfect introduction for anyone looking to familiarize themselves with a few of country music’s biggest icons. We’ve selected three essential albums from that era that serve as excellent starting points to this unique period.
Alabama: The Closer You Get
Today, Alabama is held in high regard as legendary classic country icons. Still, in their heyday, they were viewed by many as “too pop,” which is ironic in retrospect, especially with modern pop country acts in mind. On The Closer You Get, which features one of their biggest hits, “Dixieland Delight,” you’ll find a collection of catchy, well-penned songs that capture exactly what made the band so successful. There’s an immediate sense of nostalgia packed into these songs. The vintage production, with a progressive mix of stadium drums and synthesizers, created a distinct sound that hasn’t been replicated by anyone else since. The album also showcases the band’s knack for rich storytelling, with songs like “Lady Down on Love” and “She Put the Sad in All His Songs” putting heartbreak front and center. If you enjoy this album, check out Mountain Music and Southern Star.
The Judds: Why Not Me
Of all the legendary acts referenced by modern country music, The Judds are severely underrepresented. The mother-daughter duo of Naomi and Wynonna had a dominant presence in the genre, bringing a rootsy, quasi-Appalachian sound to the forefront of country music. Their unique two-part harmonies made their voices immediately recognizable, creating a sound that was distinctly their own. In Why Not Me, you’ll hear big hits like the title track, as well as “Love Is Alive” and “Mama He’s Crazy,” with everything in between still holding up as some of the duo’s strongest material.
Keith Whitley: Don’t Close Your Eyes
Keith Whitley’s career was tragically cut short, ending unexpectedly in one of country music’s saddest tragedies. Even in his brief time in the spotlight, he established himself as one of the most compelling voices of the eighties, with an electrifying talent that made every song feel larger than life. With so many hits packed into such a short career, Whitley made a lasting impact with anthems of love and heartbreak that showcased just how powerful a great country song could be. His album Don’t Close Your Eyes is packed with hits like the title track and “When You Say Nothing at All,” while deep cuts like “Birmingham Turnaround” and “Honky Tonk Heart” carry the same overall quality as his more notable tracks.
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These three albums may only scratch the surface of what the eighties had to offer and certainly aren’t the most referenced titles today. However, they should provide a strong, alluring introduction to some of country music’s icons as well as the music that helped inspire the current state of the genre.
