Our top 10 Blackberry Smoke songs list presents ten of the best songs released by an American band famed for its rock sound. Formed in 2000, Blackberry Smoke’s sound is a blend of blues-rock, country rock, Southern rock, jam band, and hard rock. Upon the band’s inception, its members started writing songs while rehearsing together in anticipation of a debut album.
The band released its debut album under the title Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime (2003). Blackberry Smoke toured the United States to promote its debut album. During this time, the band performed as either a supporting act or headliner to Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Zac Brown Band, and ZZ Top.
Blackberry Smoke took a long time before releasing its sophomore album. The wait for the second album was over when the band released the LP Little Piece of Dixie in 2009. All this time, the band had not achieved mainstream success. However, the release of The Whippoorwill (2012) catapulted Blackberry Smoke to mainstream success. This followed the album’s high rankings on the Billboard 200 (peak position of number forty) and several of its songs receiving airplay.
The band left Southern Ground Records after inking a recording contract with Rounder Records in 2014. Rounder Records is renowned for releasing reputable albums for Woody Guthrie, Jelly Roll Morton, and Lead Belly. In the next, Blackberry Smoke released the album Holding All the Roses (2015). The album was a success, rising to number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums.
A fifth studio album, Like an Arrow, was released in 2016 to build upon the success of the previous album. Like an Arrow (2016) was a success despite having self-produced all the songs on the album. This country-rock album saw the band again enjoy the number one position on three charts. The charts include the Billboard Top Country Albums, Billboard Folk Albums, and the UK Rock & Metal Albums chart.
Blackberry Smoke returned to the studio to record and release its sixth studio album. Find a Light (2018) was also self-produced, having it debut at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums. Its best performance was a number two position on the Billboard Independent Albums and Billboard Folk Albums. On the Billboard 200, Find a Light (2018) managed to rise to number thirty-one.
The last album release effort from the band was marked by the release of its seventh self-produced studio album, You Hear Georgia (2021). You Hear Georgia (2021) still managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number fifty-five. Blackberry Smoke has retained its original lineup since the early 2000s. In 2009, the band added keyboardist Brandon Still to its lineup, making Blackberry Smoke a five-piece band. Here we present the best Blackberry Smoke songs of all time.
#10 – Keep On Smilin’
Opening our top 10 Blackberry Smoke songs is the cover hit “Keep On Smilin’.” The song was originally released in 1974 by Wet Willie as the title track to the band’s third studio album. Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie joined Blackberry Smoke in the recording of the rendition. The song was featured on the band’s EP Live from Capricorn Sound Studios (2020). “Keep On Smilin’” was Wet Willie’s most successful hit reaching number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
#9 – Good One Comin’ On
“Good One Comin’ On” is one of the perkiest releases from Blackberry Smoke’s sophomore album. The lyrics to this hit were penned by Gary Nicholson, David Lee Murphy, and Lee Roy Parnell. Country rock elements are prominently featured on this song. “Good One Comin’ On” brings the band’s instrumentation to a whole new level. Charlie Starr’s awe-inspiring vocals compliment the song’s instrumental. “Good One Comin’ On” helped raise the status of the band’s album Little Piece of Dixie (2009).
#8 – Southern Child
After the release of The King of Rock and Roll (1971), Little Richard recorded an album under the title Southern Child. While most of his releases in the previous albums featured funk, rock, and soul-oriented songs, Southern Child prominently featured a country sound. Even though the album remained unreleased, songs from the album were featured on the Complete Reprise Recordings by Rhino Records in 2005.
“Southern Child” is one of the best country grooves from the album. Blackberry Smoke covered the song for release in the EP Live from Capricorn Sound Studios (2020). The harmonica and drumming in the song make it quite melodious. A guitar solo adds some spice to the song’s instrumental.
#7 – Let Me Down Easy
“Let Me Down Easy” is one of the most reputable hits from Blackberry Smoke’s sixth studio album Find a Light (2018). The band decided to add harmony vocals by Amanda Shires. Amanda Shires is the wife of Grammy Award-winning singer and guitarists Jason Isbell, a former member of Drive-By Truckers. “Let Me Down” is a heart-rending yet euphoric breakup ballad.
#6 – Sunrise in Texas
Number six on our top 10 Blackberry Smoke songs is the hit “Sunrise in Texas.” The song is featured on the band’s fifth studio album, Like an Arrow (2016). This four-minute country-rock ballad was penned by the band members and Michael Tolcher. “Sunrise in Texas” aims at fetching attention to the bigger problems in the world. After the song was released, Blackberry Smoke’s album Like an Arrow (2016) debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
#5 – Run Away from It All
“Run Away from It All” is a hard-sounding country-rock ballad by Blackberry Smoke. The song is featured on the band’s album Find a Light (2018). “Run Away from It All” is one of the songs from the album penned by the band’s vocalist Charlie Starr and Keith Nelson, former lead guitarist at Buckcherry.
#4 – Shakin’ Hands with the Holy Ghost
The Whippoorwill (2012) was the first album to make it to the charts. After reaching number eight on the Billboard Top Country Albums, The Whippoorwill (2012) rose to number forty on the Billboard 200. One of the best Blackberry Smoke songs from the album includes “Shakin’ Hands with the Holy Ghost.” The song alludes to the deific experience that emanates from having an exceptional lady under the moonshine.
#3 – You Got Lucky ft. Amanda Shires
Coming in at number three is the cover song “You Got Lucky.” “You Got Lucky” was initially released by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The song takes home the message that genuine love is hard to find. Blackberry Smoke teamed up with Amanda Shires in covering this former number one song on the Billboard Top Tracks Chart. The song is featured on Blackberry Smoke’s EP, The Southern Ground Sessions (2018).
#2 – Too High
“Too High” is a musical gem from the band’s fourth studio album Holding All the Roses (2015). The song’s lyrics were penned by the band’s vocalist Charlie Starr. “Too High” allude to addiction to meth, a huge concern in the countryside of the United States. The song helped propel the album towards reaching number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
#1 – One Horse Town
Number one on our top 10 Blackberry Smoke songs list is the hit “One Horse Town.” The song is the greatest release from the band’s album The Whippoorwill (2012). “One Horse Town” almost feels like one of John Denver’s songs. The song’s arrangement and performance make it a musical gem never to be discounted in any Blackberry Smoke concert. “One Horse Town” is also the band’s most-watched song on YouTube, amounting to over fifty-two million views.
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