What I've noticed in my day to day life as a country music fan is that people have very mixed emotions when it comes to the genre. In my experience, people either love it or hate it. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why such a happy and heartfelt genre of music has such a bad reputation in so many peoples' minds— I have yet to come up with an answer that makes sense.

In the end, most of us can relate to the words of a good country song. All they're really about is love and life... and maybe a pickup truck and beer can, or two.

So after a few long hours of listening to some good country jams and re-falling back in love with some old favorites, I've compiled a list of 21 country songs that every country music "hater" needs to listen to:

1. "Die A Happy Man" by Thomas Rhett

By far one of my all-time favorites, this sweet country love song is the epitome of what every girl wants to hear. It's a slower acoustic song but that doesn't mean you won't still be screaming along to every word. Not to mention, the fact that it reflects a real-life love story between Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren makes it that much better.

2. "21 Summer" by Brothers Osborne

Also on the slower side, this country ballad has a very unique sound. It doesn't have a super traditional country feel but I've heard from a number of people that this song is what got them into loving country music. This song will never get old. Trust me, once you listen to it once, you won't be able to stop.

3. "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" by Eli Young Band

This song is what I would call an "oldie but a goodie." That catchy melody in the chorus is one that you'll be humming to yourself for the rest of the day. Not only does this song sound great, but the message will inspire you to "keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart."

4. "Colder Weather" by Zac Brown Band

This song is a classic that every country music fan should know. It starts off with the soft piano but the build up to the end will have you tearing up almost every time. All I can say about this one is to listen for yourself and get the tissues ready.

You've probably already heard this country jam on the radio once (or maybe 50 times), but its catchy beat and lighthearted lyrics are exactly what earn it a spot on this list. This is definitely one to add to your driving playlist and jam to all summer long.

6. "Play It Again" by Luke Bryan

If you know country music, you know the name Luke Bryan. It was hard to narrow it down to just one of his songs but I think this is the one you want to listen to. With a young and carefree vibe, this song will have you wanting to put on some cowboy boots and take a ride in the back of a pickup truck.

7. "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line

H.O.L.Y. is another one of those country love songs that will have you wishing that you had sweet southern cowboy to sweep you off your feet. It also doesn't hurt to know that the men of Florida Georgia Line wrote this song about their real-life wives. I promise that when you listen to this song, you'll believe in true love.

8. "American Kids" by Kenny Chesney

This ode to being young and dumb is exactly the type of song that makes us realize the importance of living while we're young. Everyone can relate to this song. Whether you're 50 and looking back on your crazy college days, or you're 18 and realizing that these are the wild times you're living through right now, everyone can incorporate their own story. So take risks and live a little because, as Kenny Chesney sings in this song, "we're a little messed up but we're all alright."

9. "American Country Love Song" by Jake Owen

This song says almost everything you need to know in the title. It's a simple song about small town living and young love but it still gives you that feeling of carefree summer joy that every country fan knows so well.

10. "Drunk On Your Love" by Brett Eldridge

Brett Eldridge is a relatively new name in country music but honestly, every one of his songs is a hit. "Drunk on Your Love" is the perfect summer anthem that you and all your friends are going to be shouting the lyrics to all night long.

11. "It Goes Like This" by Thomas Rhett

If there's one thing Thomas Rhett knows how to do well, it's write a GREAT love song. In this one, he's talking about writing a song for a girl who drives him crazy. Any girl would gladly accept this honor, at least I know I would.

12. "Wanna Be That Song" by Brett Eldridge

What really gets me about this song are the lyrics. When you listen to this song, listen closely. It will make you realize the little things that people fall in love with about each other that you may not ever notice.

13. "80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris

If you're looking for a summer song to jam to while you're driving, this is the song for you. So add this to your driving playlist ASAP because I promise you, once you start listening to it, it's going to be your go-to driving jam.

14. "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band

This is another one of those sweet country love songs that will have you believing in fairytale love. Not to mention, it'll truly make you understand the power of a pretty girl. So queue this one up while you're hanging out on the beach and sit back and relax.

15. "Feelin' It" by Scotty McCreery

This song may not be as well known as some of the others but it is still a great summer tune. It's truly a song that makes you feel as carefree as it gets. So put this one on your summer road trip playlist and get to jamming.

16. "Big Green Tractor" by Jason Aldean

I know what you're thinking about this one... that this is the epitome of everything you hate about country music. Just give it a chance though because once you get passed the cliche title, it's actually a pretty great song.

17. "Church Bells" by Carrie Underwood

What's a list of great country songs without at least one from the Queen of Country herself? One thing (amongst many) that Carrie Underwood has perfected, is the art of telling a story through her songs. After listening to one of her songs, you'll feel like you just watched an Oscar award winning drama about love, lust, betrayal, and her specialty: revenge. "Church Bells" is just another example of one of those catchy and powerful songs that will have you believing in girl power. So grab some popcorn and listen to this story unfold.

18. "This Is How We Roll" by Florida Georgia Line

Not to overload you with more carefree country party songs or anything but this is also a great one to blast at full volume with your squad of friends. Whether you're at a backyard barbecue, driving through town, or just hanging by the pool, this song will pump you up at any occasion.

19. "No Such Thing As A Broken Heart" by Old Dominion

This song not only has a catchy chorus that everyone will be singing along to, but it also has a great message. This song basically gives you some of the best life advice that you can get: you can't really control anything in life so it's best to live "like there's no such thing as a broken heart."

20. "Grow Old" by Florida Georgia Line

This song is definitely worthy of being played on your wedding day. Love seems to be a common theme in many of these country songs but in this one it's really true. When you listen to this song, you're basically hearing a complete love story from start to finish. It's all about two people in love going through life and "growing old" together which is really what it's is all about, right?

21. "Long Hot Summer" by Keith Urban

Now this last one is a must add on your summer playlist. It's an older Keith Urban song but it's lyrics will never not be true. Everybody wants that one crazy summer love and this song is just about as close to it as you can get without actually having it.

So my advice to you is: grab some friends, make a playlist, roll the windows down, turn the volume up, keep an open mind, and just drive. Let yourself feel and fall in love with the music because once you do, I bet you'll be slipping on some cowboy boots and singing along to every word.