Since he released his debut project, Different Round Here, in 2019, Riley Green has been one of the most consistent artists in country music. Listeners know precisely what to expect when a Riley Green song comes on; he’s a middle-of-the-road radio artist with few skips in his catalog and a slight Texas country slant to his sound. While Riley is at the top of his game, he often gets overshadowed by country music’s big three: Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs. That said, he remains a regular fan-favorite. This past month (April 2024), he ranked sixth on the Country Central Power Rankings, a spot he’s held down for the last few months. Even with his large fan base, he is still overlooked, not as much as an artist but a songwriter. Granted, it’s easy to understand how Green isn’t recognized for his writing; he has plenty of fun, upbeat songs that require little thought while listening. But it seems like every couple of years, the Alabama native writes a song that sets a new standard.
Green’s songwriting first surged into the spotlight in 2019 with his heartfelt release “I Wish Grandpa’s Never Died.” The song immediately caught the attention of country music fans of all listening persuasions as the nostalgic tune tugged at hearts everywhere. At the time, it felt like a reset in country music; this was on the heels of the bro-country era and right during the rise of Morgan Wallen. “I Wish Grandpa’s Never Died” was the perfect song to come out when it did. It helped inspire more music with meaningful lyrics instead of the unimaginative “radio songs” listeners had become accustomed to in years prior.
Most recently, Riley Green released the song “Jesus Saves.” The track should undoubtedly be considered for Song of the Year at every award show this year. “Jesus Saves” is the moving chronicle of a homeless man sitting by the side of the road telling his story to one of the few who took the time to listen. Each verse reveals the details of unfortunate events that happened to the man. It recognizes homelessness, veteran awareness, miscarriages, and more in just three minutes and 52 seconds; even more impressive is that this track is a solo write from Green. While in 2024, mainstream country music is in a much better state songwriting-wise, “Jesus Saves” still manages to raise the bar. Much like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” it also came at the perfect time. As the country has become cool again on the pop music scene, artists like Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone, and others are experimenting with country music. Though incoming interlopers may have their spin on this format, “Jesus Saves” was the perfect reminder of what country music is all about, and that part of the genre isn’t going away no matter how it’s viewed in the broader music industry.
Another thing Green should be credited for is his versatility as a songwriter. Of course, his heartfelt cuts stand out, but he unfailingly delivers tempo songs without sacrificing quality. His ability to balance fun and substance sets him apart, ensuring even his most playful tracks are some of his best. Green’s first career #1 was “There Was This Girl.” It is a simple tune about everything a guy would do for a girl; there isn’t much substance to it, but it’s still endearing and fun to listen to on every spin. In an industry full of forgettable dude-bros on the radio, few artists can take a generic idea and assemble a quality song so capability.
Another example of this knack is his latest single, “Damn Good Day To Leave.” It’s a happy breakup song about how it’s just too good of a day to be upset about the relationship coming to an end; with a lively hook and a fun checklist of country lifestyle-isms, it projects to do well at country radio. It’s not quite A+ songwriting, but it’s enough to be recognized. Generic concepts tend to foster quick listener fatigue and fade out, but Riley sells his southern premises every time and usually knows how to pick a single.
Most artists who write good radio songs can’t turn around and write one that will make the listener cry and vice versa. Riley Green has mastered the ability to do both. He quietly remains one of the best country music artists; a big reason is his songwriting. His versatility and storytelling skills have made him one of the best songwriters working in country music today. Despite being overshadowed by some of the bigger names out there, Riley Green’s stellar songwriting prowess and ability to evoke emotion deserve greater recognition from radio listeners and skeptical traditionalists alike.
