Cupid's country countdown: 14 of the greatest classic-country love songs of all time

February 14, 11:58 AMNashville Country Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Classic-country love songs stand the test of time.

Everyone has his or her favorite song, and most couples have a confirmed "our song" that was on the radio at just that crucial moment when a twosome realized that love, not just lust, was in the air and dwelling within their respective hearts.

NUMEROUS COUNTDOWNS of the greatest love songs of all time have been compiled, just as such lists about the greatest country songs and the greatest love songs have been noted.

In country music, however, a timeless heartache or break-up song is as much a love song for countdown contention, as  are the feel-good, "you make my tiddly wink" tunes that cause syrup to ooze out of one's iPod or stereo speakers.

With that in mind, this writer chose to gather a collection of the top 14 greatest classic-country love songs of all time, with an emphasis here on the word classic. And of course, as the saying goes, opinion are like, um, ... noses. Yes, that's it, opinions are like noses; everybody's got one, and that includes this country-music journalist and fan (who also has a healthy-sized nose, so expect my opinions to be strong).

CHOOSING THE NO. 1 SONG, or even an entire top-14 collection, isn't rocket science, and the choices, in this writer's view, are fluid, meaning they can shift. As for the subject matter, in a recent TV snippet, country superstar Ronnie Milsap, when asked about his favorite country love song of all time, aptly responded that his answer to the question on that particular day wouldn't necessarily be his answer tomorrow, a week from that day, or even if he had been asked long ago, because such responses are often based on mood, train of thought and emotion.

That said, below is a list of 14 of the greatest classic-country love songs of all time. Let your own heart and mood rearrange the order, or insert unlisted classics, as needed.

14.  "Maybe I Should Have Been Listening" by Gene Watson (1981): This Texas-born crooner has countless truly class country songs to his credit, but this former No. 23 deserves to be included among the top classic-country love songs not only because of its "hindsight is 20/20" message of love, but primarily because of the seamless and unmatched way in which only Watson, one of country music's finest (and most under-rated) voices, puts it forth.

13.  "I'm Not Lisa"by Jessi Colter (1975): Jessi Colter's signature song is not only a crossover hit, hitting No. 1 on the country charts of the U.S. and Canada as well as No. 4 on the pop charts, but also a last ing country love song that stands the test of time. Its lyrics are delivered in an earnest and sometimes haunting way that causes listeners to feel the pain in the new love's voice as she reminds her beloved that he is with Julie, no longer his former love.

12.  "He Stopped Loving Her Today"by George Jones (1982): This one-time No. 1, penned by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putnam, is consistently listed among the top-country songs of all time, not just as a top country love song. "The Possum" is a unique treasure not only within country music, but within popular music at large, and this song about a love that went the final distance ranks among his best.

11. "Linda on My Mind" by Conway Twitty (1975): Another classic voice, with a love song whose message is not the traditional happy heart-filled sentiment. It is, in fact, somewhat tortured in its storyline, but that's part of what makes this former No. 1 a timeless country love song.

10.  "'Til I Can Make It On My Own" by Tammy Wynette (1973): This heartbreak song about the fragility of a former lover trying to stand on here own again, but needing her ex-flame to be patient, even if he can't be in love with her anymore, is a confirmed classic and two-time No. 1 on the charts. Wynette co-wrote the song drawing from real-life inspiration related to the end of her tumultuous, six-year marriage to another artist in this writer's countdown, George Jones. Later, Kenny Rogers and Dottie West made it a No. 1 duet, but its original artist's version is the confirmed classic.

9.  "Always on My Mind"by Willie Nelson (1982): The simplistic delivery of this classic-country song is presented like only Willie can do. One can only guess who its initial inspiration was, but no matter its source, this number is a heartfelt apology set to music about a love that's, albeit it errantly, often gone unspoken.

8. "Would You Lay with Me" by Tanya Tucker (1975): Penned by hard-livin' country songwriter and singer David Allan Coe, this song is an often forgotten classic-country love song that was recorded by a young Miss Tucker in her earliest chart heyday. The song's lyrics are poignant, stirring and, as indicated by their inclusion on this writer's list, unforgettable.

7. "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles (1962): This soul singer made a successful country-music crossover during his long career, which included this former classic love song. Released on the ABC label, Charles hit No. 1 on both the U.S. and Canadian charts with this enduring love song.

6.  "When You Say Nothing At All" by Keith Whitley (1988): The Kentucky-born singer-songwriter was taken far too early from country fans, but he didn't slip away before the genre's audiences and radio knew he was a treasure. Alison Krauss went on to record a memorable version of  this song, but for this writer's heartstrings and listening pleasure, no one will ever surpass, or out-do, the original, soulful version of this love song.

5.  "Crazy" by Patsy Cline (1961): This piano-laced classic is a love song that's often considered a tip-tier classic simply because the late Patsy Cline delivered it with such audible emotion. It's a number that expresses being on the losing end of love, where most all have been at one point and time, but its legacy and staying power in our collective memory belongs to the late singer's signature treatment of its delivery.

4. "Today I Started Loving You Again" by Merle Haggard (1969): Written by Merle Haggard and then-wife, singer Bonnie Owens, in 1968, this classic-country hit shares the realization by its singer that, although he thought he had moved on, he realized he still loves a special someone after all this time. (On trivia-related sidenote, the couple divorced the following year, not long after collaborating on this classic.)

3.  "Faded Love" by Bob Wills (1958): The King of Western-swing and his Texas Playboys band were known for a number of barn-burners and honky-tonkin' hits, but this former No. 8 about an old love letter scores the swing king a top-three place in this writer's musical heart.

2.  "So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams Sr. (1949): Emotive and pure, Hank Sr.'s legacy is solidly founded on the soulful way in which he sang the songs he lived, 'enuff said. He and first-wife Audrey's matrimonial union didn't last too very long, but the songs he created and interpreted  while emotionally connected to their love elationship are timeless.

1. "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton (1974): This classic-country love song has also been a pop hit that shattered more than one industry record chart, thanks to Whitney Houston's cover of the number for the soundtrack My Bodyguard, a film where she made her big-screen acting debut. However, no remake will ever recapture to the genuine love and honesty of Parton's original recorded version, even though she took it up the country charts, amazingly, three separate times.

The Tennessee songbird wrote the number as a parting song of love for the late Porter Wagoner, who gave the singer her first real break in country music.

"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hanks Williams Sr.

"Would You Lay With Me (In A Field of Stone)" by Tanya Tucker.

"When You Say Nothing At All" by Keith Whitley.

"Til I Can Make It On My Own" by Tammy Wynette.