Top 10 Neal McCoy Songs

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This Top 10 Neal McCoy Songs list presents the best Neal McCoy Songs including “No Doubt About It,” “For a Change,” “Wink,” and many more. Although born as Hubert Neal McGaughey, Jr., fans better know him as Neal McCoy. Born on July 30, 196 in Jacksonville, Texas, McCoy is a mix of Irish and Filipino descent. While growing up, he and his family listened to a large variety of music styles and he sang in the church choir. As a performer outside the church, he ultimately chose the country music genre as his niche as he performed in various venues throughout the state of Texas. In 1981, he tried his hand at a talent contest that saw him earn the win and earn the coveted spot to open for an upcoming Charley Pride concert.

Until 1990, he toured with Pride and served as his opening act. That came to an end when the recording label known as 16th Avenue closed its doors for good. Through 16th Avenue Records, he released a pair of singles from the label in 1988 that did make chart appearances on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart but there was no album released. In 1990, when 16th Avenue was done, he signed up with Atlantic Records and agreed to adopt the stage name of Neal McCoy as he was already being called this by the audience who became familiar with him as an artist and his music.

Atlantic Record Run

In 1990, Neal McCoy released his debut album, At the Moment, through the Atlantic Records label. Although the singles released from it failed to become a top forty hit in the U.S., he still won over enough critical favor from fans and fellow country music artists who clearly saw a star in the making. This was confirmed in 1992 after the release of McCoy’s second studio album, Where Forever Begins, and the big breakthrough album, No Doubt About It, in 1994. The third of his studio albums earned McCoy his first platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as becoming certified gold with Music Canada.

His fourth album, You Gotta Love That, also became certified platinum by the RIAA after it was released in 1995. From there, McCoy recorded and released three additional studio albums with Atlantic Records for a total of seven recordings with the label. His fifth studio album was self-titled and became certified gold not long after it was released in 1996. 1997 saw the release of Be Good at It and 1999’s Life of the Party served as the final studio recording McCoy had with Atlantic Records before moving on with a different label. While still with Atlantic Records, there was a Greatest Hits album that was released in 1997 which also became platinum with the RIAA.

Moving On

Five additional studio albums were recorded and released by Neal McCoy through a variety of different record labels, as well as a pair of compilation albums. In total, he has ten studio albums to his credit, two compilation albums, thirty-four singles, and fifteen music videos. Although McCoy has not recorded and released a studio album since 2013’s Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride, he still continues to tour and still has a solid fan following that has acknowledged he is indeed the “Real McCoy.”

Top 10 Neal McCoy Songs

#10 – The City Put the Country Back in Me

On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “The City Put the Country Back in Me” was a number five hit and it peaked at number eleven on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart after it was released as a single in 1994 from the album, No Doubt About It. The honky-tonk approach by Neal McCoy was wonderfully performed as a country boy at heart realizing spending time in the city simply has him appreciate the simplicity of country life that much more.

The music video for “The City Put the Country Back in Me” was filmed in New York City before the towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Among some fans, McCoy’s song took on a whole new meaning since the destruction of the towers as it caused them to appreciate country living that much more.

#9 – Goin’, Goin’, Gone

Originally recorded and released by Bryan White in 1994, “Going, Going, Gone” was covered by Neal McCoy for his self-titled album and became a number thirty-five hit for him on the US Billboard Country Songs chart in 1996. It also became a number forty-two hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. The lyrical confession of a man falling in love with someone who won him over in what seems to be an unexpected twist of fate was beautifully performed by McCoy as he lyrically wore his heart on his sleeve in this romantic classic that has remained as a solid favorite among romantics to this day.

#8 – They’re Playin’ Our Song

Released from the album, You Gotta Love That in 1995, “They’re Playin’ Our Song” became more than just a number three hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and a number eight hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. It also became a fan favorite played at bars, clubs, and special events such as weddings and anniversaries. This love song still makes a solid impression among country music fans who not only love McCoy’s lyrical approach to just about every song he sings but the romantic message that comes with it.

#7 – The Shake

From Neal McCoy’s Greatest Hits album, which was released in 1997, “The Shake” was the one and only original recording coming from it as the rest were fan favorites that earned McCoy his rightful place as a country star. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it was a number five hit and peaked at number seven on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. “The Shake” is a playfully suggestive song that seems to appreciate the female form as she dances about to show off her moves. It remains a country bar and club favorite as some fans seem to take “The Shake” as a musical challenge to have their bodies rock to the groove.

#6 – Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

1996’s “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” was a number-four hit for Neal McCoy on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and a number seven hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. Originally, it was 1962 a country song recorded and released by Don Cherry before becoming a doo-wap single performed by The Casinos. The popularity of this song has been covered by many artists from different music genres, as well as ranging from an emotional ballad performance to an easy-listening gem. While most relationships start out with the hope they will be everlasting, there is always the threat something will happen to bring the happily ever after scenario to an unfortunate end. In McCoy’s case in this song, should the relationship turn sour then a simple goodbye will do.

#5 – You Gotta Love That

“You Gotta Love That” was the title track from Neal McCoy’s fourth studio album and peaked as high as number three on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1995 and at number thirteen on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. Twangy and fun, the appreciation of a woman staying true to her roots as she strives to make her mark in life, was thoughtfully and playfully performed by McCoy as he seemed to make “You Gotta Love That” a country song source of inspiration for listeners who may be thinking about what they’d like to do with their own lives moving forward.

#4 – For a Change

1994’s “For a Change” came from Neal McCoy’s fourth studio album, You Gotta Love That! as its first single release. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it was a number three hit and peaked as high as number eight on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. It actually spawned the parody “The Change” in 1996 by Cledus Judd. Sung as a quest to make changes to one’s life to kick out disappointment in favor of something sunnier, McCoy also expressed to a love interest how she may be the ticket to give him something to look forward to, “For a Change.”

#3 – Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On

On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On” was a number ten hit as Neal McCoy’s comical approach to a country-style drinking song won over enough favorable attention from the fans who understood and appreciated the humor despite the storyline. From the 2005 album, That’s Life, the terminology used to describe intoxicated individuals was taken into country song form as McCoy musically laid out the scene of a dumped man sporting this special style of eyewear as he drowned out his sorrows due to the loss of his girlfriend.

Once those beer goggles are on, the ability to discern the difference between what looks good and what doesn’t goes out the window. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On” became a number ten hit and saw a number seventy-five chart rank on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the third single in McCoy’s career to become a crossover hit.

#2 – Wink

From the album, No Doubt About It, 1994’s “Wink” earned a number one spot on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. It served as the second number one hit in a row for Neal McCoy, straight after the heels of “No Doubt About It.” As a music video, this playful number by McCoy was a lyrical nudge by the artist to convince his lover to give him a “Wink,” despite her refusal to do so. In the song, McCoy admitted his mood always receives a boost when his love interest gives him that special look that is accompanied by a simple wink.

#1 – No Doubt About It

As a single, “No Doubt About It” was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. This incredible love ballad was released as a single in 1993, witnessing Neal McCoy at his vulnerable finest as he pledges his love for his significant other. In 1981, when McCoy was working as a shoe salesman at a mall, he met and married his wife who is still with him to this day. Clearly, there’s “No Doubt About It” the two were, and still are, meant for each other.

This single also became a crossover hit as it peaked at number seventy-five on the US Billboard Hot 100. The black and white music video featuring “No Doubt About It” added to the sentimentality of this song that has also become a wedding, anniversary, and Valentine’s Day favorite among the fans who seem to love this song every bit as much as the person whom they’ve also dedicated their lives to.

Top 10 Neal McCoy Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022

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