Even if you don’t watch Nashville on ABC, the music they put out each week is pretty spectacular. Each track stands alone as a well-produced and unique song, so much so that if heard out of context, they just sound like regular country songs. Between heartbreak, hard decisions, and falling in love, the soundtrack of Nashville has it all. Here are my sixteen favorite songs by the extremely brilliant cast of Nashville:
1. Casino
Cast members: Sam Palladio (Gunnar) and Clare Bowen (Scarlett)
This beautiful duet turns something that we now think of as tacky into a beautiful metaphor for love and the chances we take on it. Not only are the lyrics incredible, but the instruments also flow together perfectly and give you chills from the moment you press play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFUf4-ECx00
2. It Ain’t Yours to Throw Away
Cast member: Sam Palladio
A haunting ballad used in a pivotal scene of the show (I won’t spoil it) and one of the most moving and lovely songs I’ve ever heard. Be prepared to feel an ache in your heart, because the lyrics will no doubt remind you of a friend or loved one, or maybe even yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xia2NsRoEk
3. A Life That’s Good
Cast members: Lennon and Maisy Stella (Maddie and Daphne)
I’m at a loss for how to explain why this song is one of my favorites. It’s nostalgic, and listening to it just makes you feel happy and humbled.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ml4jzQHpxE
4. No One Will Ever Love You
Cast members: Connie Britton (Rayna) and Chip Esten (Deacon)
This song is probably one of the saddest and most truthful love songs ever written, and definitely a standout on the show. It also displays one of the many examples of well-crafted lyrics on the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQ58WMsoJQ
5. When The Right One Comes Along
Cast member: Clare Bowen
The lyrics are simple yet sweet, and Bowen’s vocals make the song sound even more magical. Whether you’ve felt the moment she’s singing about or not, it’s a magical experience that makes you feel hopeful, secure, and in love with the idea of love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zCMslGECbQ
6. What If I Was Willing
Cast member: Chris Carmack (Will)
This song is exciting, passionate, and uplifting – perfect for summer and falling in love. Carmack is a magnetic performer, and that talent really shines through in this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJqrSlBs-Qc
7. Stronger Than Me
Cast member: Connie Britton
This song is powerful, haunting, and pulls you in instantly. Britton’s voice on this track is strong, and the lyrics flow in the most perfect yet tragic way. The moody quality of the song will put you in a trance, and when it ends, you’ll forget how you felt before you started listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRbCSZJcfr8
8. Every Time I Fall in Love
Cast member: Clare Bowen Like many of the songs by Bowen’s character, “Every Time I Fall in Love” is a soft and whimsical. It is a well-written and poetic love song that you’ll be singing to yourself for days to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGh9pQNVr_w
9. At The End of the Day
Cast members: Connie Britton and Chip Esten
In the context of the show, this songs fits perfectly into the tragic and magnetic love story between Britton and Esten’s characters, Rayna and Deacon. Out of context, it is one of the more haunting and sad songs on the show, with the singer making the empty promise that she will quit the addiction that pulls her down. In the case of the show, the addiction is love, but it can really refer to anything, which makes it pretty relatable. As we often see on the show, everyone has their demons and their scars, and this song is the perfect expression of that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RXmqj1w0ac
10. Adios Old Friend
Cast member: Sam Palladio
This song is a moving tribute to lost loved one, and Palladio does it perfect justice. The song was also co-written by Brett Elderege, and one of the best full-on country songs from the show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgHEyBpr1w
11. Ball and Chain
Cast members: Connie Britton and Will Chase (Luke)
“Ball and Chain” is one of my favorite duets on the show because it’s upbeat, fun, and has an awesome country rock n’ roll vibe. Definitely add this to your list of songs to sing to in the shower ☺ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6islwks8E3M
12. Black Roses
Cast member: Clare Bowen
"Black Roses" is probably one of the saddest and most intense songs on Nashville. Bowen absolutely kills it and for three minutes, she brings you to the darkest and loneliest place imaginable with this heartbreaking ballad. As an added bonus, Lucy Schwartz, a musician who has collaborated with the likes of Aqualung and Landon Pigg, and has an amazing talent for poetic lyrics, wrote the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wU9KsU0aNQ
13. You Ain’t Dolly
Cast members: Clare Bowen and Chris Carmack
This one is a super fun song that I automatically added to my dream karaoke list. Whether you like country music or not, it’s pretty hard to not dance to this fun tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIHuIqb2Ko
14. Consider Me
Cast member: Hayden Panettiere (Juliette)
A lot of the songs Panettiere sings on the show are very country-pop, and this one is a refreshingly mellow song. The lyrics and honest and raw, and Panettiere’s voice really shines when at it’s most stripped down and acoustic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fvy9mMZ-jk
15. Believing
Cast members: Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, Chip Esten
Lennon Stella is an amazing up-and-coming musician, and she really gets to show off on this song. The connection between Stella and Esten’s characters is a really special one, and this song displays that well. It is a beautiful and hopeful song, and lyrics are lovely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t4gby9pqrQ
16. Crazy Tonight
Cast member: Clare Bowen
This song was written by Kacey Musgraves, the master of the clever and cute country song. It’s a ridiculously fun song that makes you desperately crave a night out with your girlfriends (preferably including cowboy boots).
