The Best Morgan Wallen Songs

The Way I Talk

The song that started it all, ‘The Way I Talk‘ captured the in-your-face, rebellious attitude that came to define Morgan Wallen's introductory If I Know Me chapter.

It's proudly down-home, rowdy and carries the kind of soaring hook that peppers If I Know Me, before Morgan started to explore a subtler, more sinuous vocal style on later projects.

Despite the dizzying array of chart-toppers Morgan Wallen has secured in subsequent years, ‘The Way I Talk’ has maintained its position as a keystone in his setlist, as well as giving Morgan one of the greatest personal honours of his career - by being chosen as the new fourth-quarter song for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers.

Broadway Girls (with Lil Durk)

A cross-genre collaboration that nobody saw coming. Lil Durk, one of rap’s most prominent voices, recruited Morgan Wallen for a ferocious, angst-ridden hook and verse on this unlikely duet. It went on to become Lil Durk’s first ever No. 1 as a lead artist.

Wallen’s gritty, rough-around-the-edges vocals filter through the track like an angry snarl, as he laments being messed around by another ‘Broadway Girl’.

The only thing wrong with the song is the grammatical nightmare of a lyric that somehow made its way into the chorus: “There's two things that you're gonna find out / They don't love you, and they only love you right now”.

Wasted On You

This doesn’t initially stand out as the most immediately enthralling track from Wallen’s impressive discography, but the biting, incandescent anthem remains one of his most streamed songs of all time.

Underpinned by another hip hop beat, ‘Wasted On You’ again shows that lightning seems to strike whenever Morgan Wallen and Ernest enter a writing room together, with Josh Thompson and Charlie Handsome also being credited for helping to craft this explosive track.

Neon Star (Country Boy Lullaby)

In the early 2010s, rappers such as Future started looking to old nursery rhymes as a means of generating uniquely catchy hooks, and it seems Morgan Wallen and his co-writing team have done the same for ‘Neon Star (Country Boy Lullaby)’.

Armed with a simple yet infectious drum sample, the uptempo track injects a welcome sense of levity into the heartbroken vein that runs throughout much of One Thing At A Time.

‘98 Braves

Sports metaphors have regularly found their way into Morgan Wallen’s discography, but none are as compelling as his so-close-and-yet-so-far tale of the Atlanta Braves’ title-chasing season in 1998.

It’s packed with appealingly subtle baseball analogies, as Morgan compares the way they fell at the final hurdle to a doomed romance (“But just like that season / Girl, you and me didn't end with a ring on a hand / We got close but close doesn't cut it / Had a good run to end up with nothin'”).

Silverado For Sale

Remember the car that got you through life, from A to B and everything in between? You know, the car with all the memories attached? Come and get it, it's for sale.

Although country music has no shortage of truck songs, ‘Silverado For Sale’ somehow manages to sound like a gleaming, freshly buffed ride, with Wallen’s delicate, drawn-in delivery showcasing his vocal versatility.

Had Me by Halftime

One of Morgan Wallen’s very first sports-themed tracks, ‘Had Me by Halftime’ is a sweet, romantic tale of two Tennessee Volunteers fans hitting it off during a chance meeting ahead of the game.

‘Had Me by Halftime’ is an underrated classic in Morgan's discography, and evocatively transports you to a place where the Autumn leaves are fluttering down, the smell of freshly cut turf lingers in the air and everyone is on the edge of their seat, eagerly waiting for the chance to celebrate the opening touchdown. For the sequel to ‘Had Me by Halftime’, see One Thing At A Time’s ‘Tennessee Fan’.

Dying Man

‘Dying Man’ is to One Thing At A Time what ‘Livin’ The Dream’ was to Dangerous. Given the sense of confidence that Morgan Wallen exudes on many of his songs, this makes his more introspective, vulnerable numbers all the more captivating.

Despite seemingly singing to his partner on ‘Dying Man’, during his album release concert Morgan revealed that the track was actually cut with his son 'Indigo' in mind (“​​I never believed in angels / 'Til one believed in me that night / Turned my off track into a straight line / Before I turned into a headline”).

Last Night

Another of Wallen’s many beat-driven, genre-blending tracks, ‘Last Night’ has become one of the most popular tracks from One Thing At A Time. Shortly after its release, it set up camp atop the Billboard Hot 100, keeping the likes of Drake and Miley Cyrus at bay for weeks on end.

While the subject matter stays close to his well-trodden path of heartbreak and alcohol-dressed wounds, the outward-looking sonic blueprint of ‘Last Night’ emphasises why Morgan's country hip hop fusion succeeds where the likes of Zac Brown, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean have fallen flat.

Keith Whitley

A touching homage to one of Morgan Wallen’s idols, ‘Keith Whitley’ is littered with satisfying easter egg references to the classic country legend’s wealth of hits, from ‘I’m No Stranger to the Rain’ to ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’ (“There ain't a mirror in this house anymore / 'Cause it kills me to see the guy that let you leave / And walk right out the door”).

As well as expressing Morgan's heartbreak at a failed relationship, this One Thing At A Time deep cut also closes with a heartwarming tribute to Whitley, who died at the age of 33 from alcohol poisoning (“The things I love got a way of gettin' gone too soon / Kinda like good whiskey, Keith Whitley and you”).

Lies, Lies, Lies

Although dwarfed by the Hot 100-topping success of his subsequent single, ‘Love Somebody’, ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ was far more telling as fans wondered what they could expect from Morgan’s One Thing At A Time follow-up album. The ominous instrumental, the brooding lyricism and the serpentine delivery all foreshadowed the more stripped-back, balladic feel of Morgan’s next chapter, epitomised on unreleased fan-favourites such as ‘Good to See You Smile’, ‘Come Back as a Redneck’ and ‘I Guess’. ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ is a sumptuous, slow-burning gem that finds Morgan Wallen letting the spotlight fall on his most formidable asset - his vocals.

Devil Don't Know

While many identified drinking as the core theme of One Thing At A Time, equally as prominent is Morgan's religious imagery. ‘Devil Don’t Know’ epitomises this, as he - somewhat melodramatically, admittedly - likens the pain of his lost love to that of the burning furnace of Hell.

Although the listener is left feeling unconvinced that “Fire and brimstone ain't got nothin' on / Seein' you with someone else”, the lyrical extravagance pivots around a knock-out blow of a hook that leaves you floored.

Whiskey Glasses

Here’s the one that sets up another key element of Wallen’s success – the very lack of it.

The ‘Morgan Wallen’ we get in songs like these is a sad and remorseful character; always losing the girl and feeling the pain of heartbreak. It's this deeply-felt and visceral emotion that makes his victories – if they come – feel more like triumphs.

The infectious ‘Whiskey Glasses’ has become an ubiquitous feature of country-themed club nights across the US and UK alike, and you'll struggle to walk down Nashville's famous Broadway strip without hearing it blaring from one of the many bars.

Love Somebody

Although exploring familiar heartbroken territory lyrically, sonically, ‘Love Somebody’ feels like the antithesis of its predecessor, ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Love Somebody’ confirmed - just in case there was still any doubt - that the 2023 crossover popularity of ‘Last Night’ was no flash in the pan.

It’s the first time Morgan Wallen has ventured into this breezy, Latin-inspired ambience, and hints at a continued willingness to explore adjacent genres to country music. ‘Love Somebody’ is a laid-back hit that, in Morgan’s words, will “sound good on the boat”. With that in mind, it’s just a shame he waited until October to drop it.

You Proof

Although not one of Morgan Wallen’s most lyrically ornate or sonically complex songs, ‘You Proof’ has blossomed into one of the biggest hits of the past few years, and in mid-2023 became the longest-running Billboard Country Airplay Chart No. 1 ever.

Morgan's fiery vocals snake along a slick, energising beat, as he laments the fact that his ‘Whiskey Glasses’ no longer seem to be working like they used to (“Someone said it drowns a memory / Ah, but it ain't doing jack”).

Thought You Should Know

One of Morgan's 2022 singles – co-written with Miranda Lambert, not someone to suffer fools gladly – is an emotional sucker punch phone call to his mother, with a lyric that reads just like a transcript.

It's a much, much harder trick to pull off than it looks, or sounds.

Cover Me Up

Another of those iconic Dangerous songs, originally recorded by its writer Jason Isbell on 2013's Southeastern.

The understated longing in Morgan Wallen's delivery brings a newfound sense of gravitas to the track. This cover opened up the song to an entirely new audience, and revealed to many what has become Morgan's most lethal weapon - his charismatic, drawled vocals.

Livin’ The Dream

The controversial context within which Dangerous arrived intensified the poignance of ‘Livin’ The Dream’.

For the first time, Wallen opens up about his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, as he seeks to cleanse the lens through which the world has been seeing him (“Oh, there’s a stranger in the mirror / Oh, but according to the pictures / I’m a rockstar, in and out of cop cars / Livin’ out a suitcase, trashing hotel bars”).

It’s the personal precursor to One Thing At A Time’s emotional finale, ‘Dying Man’, which offers a hopeful resolution to ‘Livin’ The Dream’.

Somebody's Problem

It’s a ringtone, it’s a pop tune, it’s the feeling in your stomach when you see that person walk through the door. Most of all, it’s demonstrably real.

Such a simple concept, but delivered with a level of sincerity and charisma that highlights once again how Morgan Wallen can transform a solid track into a world-class earworm.

Chasin’ You

Morgan Wallen’s third straight No. 1, this early If I Know Me ballad illuminated the softer, more intricate quality of his songwriting.

‘Chasin’ You’ again demonstrated Morgan's ear for a hook with chart-topping calibre, and in many people’s minds, it remains the song that first solidified the young Tennessean as a serious contender as a future country star.

Man Made A Bar (with Eric Church)

With Eric Church having lent Morgan Wallen his pen for Dangerous’ ‘Quittin’ Time’, it felt like a collaboration between the two was inevitable. ‘Man Made A Bar’, which was co-written by Larry Fleet, remoulds the Biblical account of creation into an origin story for the invention of neon lights as a remedy for broken hearts.

Again, for many artists, ‘Made Made A Bar’ would be a certified single, but with 35 other One Thing At A Time tracks contending for Country radio Duty, it’ll be lucky if it gets the chance to become more than a fan-favourite album cut.

865

It’s no mean feat to work an entire phone number into a song and still make it sound cool. Morgan Wallen succeeds on this whiskey-drenched tear-jerker, where he returns to his familiar spot at the lonely end of the bar, staring wistfully into his glass as he wonders where it all went wrong.

Just as a heads-up, unlike Big Sean, who bafflingly included his actual phone number in a song, nothing too exciting happens if you dial Morgan ‘865’ digits. But we know you’re probably going to try it anyway.

I Had Some Help (with Post Malone)

In many ways, the song of 2024, this seismic, tectonic-plate-shifting collaboration served as the official introduction to Post Malone’s F-1Trillion era. Given how Post had been one of the most popular artists on the planet for the best part of ten years, as well as possessing the only Double-Diamond single in history, what was striking about ‘I Had Some Help’ was the fact that Morgan Wallen ended up being the one who gave this the boost it needed to become a six-week Hot 100 No. 1.

On Spotify alone, Morgan’s involvement helped bring a 260% increase in first-time listeners for Post Malone, with this sleek, pop-infused hit blossoming into one of the biggest, most recognisable songs in each artists’ respective catalogues.

More Than My Hometown

This might be the quintessential Morgan Wallen song, packed full of lightly drawn but powerfully felt detail and with a genuine dilemma at the heart of it.

She wants to leave, he wants to stay. Who’s the winner?

Alongside ‘7 Summers’, ‘More Than My Hometown’ confirmed fans’ suspicions that Morgan Wallen was gearing up to reach new heights with the impending arrival of his sophomore album, Dangerous. This track is the touchstone of the Morgan, HARDY and ERNEST trifecta, and established the trio as Nashville's new tastemakers.

7 Summers

Well, it would be the quintessential Morgan Wallen song, if it wasn’t for this one.

Here, he dials the tempo down a notch and allies the regretful lyric to one of the most gorgeous melodies in his repertoire. A relic of the time when Morgan was as active on TikTok as the likes of Bailey Zimmerman and Tucker Wetmore, ‘7 Summers’ was one of the first truly viral hits that helped remould the way Music City approached its rollouts.

Don't Think Jesus

Long time collaborators Jessi Alexander, Mark Holman and Chase McGill wrote this for Morgan, who burst into tears when he first heard it.

He delivers perhaps the vocal of his career to date on the story of a hell-raising boy seeking forgiveness. Along with the likes of ‘Dying Man’ and ‘Livin’ The Dream’, these ballads find Morgan transforming his often blunt, straight-talking candour into endearing sincerity.

Up Down (Feat. Florida Georgia Line)

‘Up Down’ remains a staple of Morgan Wallen's spellbinding live show - and for good reason. It’s a celebratory whiskey shot of a song, made with equal parts bro-country braggadocio and charming Southern swagger.

For lesser artists, this blockbuster, Florida Georgia Line-assisted chart-topper would have become the defining hit of their career. For Morgan, it struggles to make it into his Top Five.

One Thing At A Time

An infectious floor-filler that feels like both the musical and thematic sequel to 2021’s ‘Dangerous’. It finds Morgan Wallen shrugging his shoulders as he lays out the options to his ex (“You say I gotta get over you and get sober too / I got a lot of habits I gotta kick / Weigh out all your options and take your pick”), before delivering the killer titular line, “I hate to tell you, girl / But I’m only quittin’ one thing at a time).

Although flying under the radar compared to other hits from the album, there's a reason Morgan Wallen decided to name the project and the associated tour after this. ‘One Thing at a Time’ showcases a new dimension to Morgan's sound, and laid the foundation for the genre-blurring electricity of ‘I Had Some Help’ and ’Love Somebody’.

Sand In My Boots

There’s a run of hits on Dangerous which are as good as any of the modern country era – melodically strong, lyrically direct but subtle and emotionally wrenching with it.

Ever had that holiday romance which you thought was going to last forever? This one’s for you.

Everything I Love

‘Everything I Love’ is well and truly one for the traditionalists.

Inventively interpolating a sample of The Allman Brothers Band's ‘Midnight Rider’, ‘Everything I Love’ finds Morgan Wallen singing jauntily in front of an irresistibly buoyant ‘90s country backdrop.

It’s a wonderfully twangy heartbreak anthem that serves as a playful wink to everyone who claims Morgan's sound isn’t country enough.