3 Country Songs That Reference Other Country Stars

Country songs aren’t afraid to be referential. The country community is a relatively small one, full of mutual admiration. As such, many artists have chosen to reference their peers (or idols) in their music. Find three country songs that reference other country stars, below.

3 Country Songs That Reference Other Country Stars

1. “WWDD” – Lainey Wilson

“What Would Dolly Do?” It’s a question every country fan has toyed with a time or two. Parton is a shining example of not only a country star but of someone who uses their prestige for good. She’s made countless headlines giving back to her community–not to mention for her lauded catalog. So, if you’re someone relatively new to the country space like Lainey Wilson, Parton wouldn’t be a bad person to emulate. Wilson attempts to do just that in “WWDD.”

That’s the bottom line for me
My go-to compass and my golden rule
When life rings my southern bell
I just gotta ask myself, hell
What would Dolly do?

[RELATED: Lainey Wilson Reminds the CMA Awards Audience Why She’s the Reigning Entertainer of the Year with an Unforgettable “4X4XU” Performance]

2. “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” – Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings let his feelings be known about the state of country music in the ’70s with “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.” He describes the way country stardom was made in his era while comparing it to, in his mind, the golden age of Hank Williams. While getting whisked away by the music industry, Jennings can’t help but beg the titular question.

Ten years on the road making one night stands
Speeding my young life away
Tell me one more time, just so’s I’ll understand
Are you sure Hank done it this way?
Did old Hank really do it this a-way?

3. “Tim McGraw” – Taylor Swift

For our last entry, we’re throwing things back to Taylor Swift’s country era with “Tim McGraw.” We all have certain songs that have soundtracked parts of our lives. For Swift, an early love of hers was set to the sounds of McGraw. When looking back on that relationship, she asks her partner to remember the good times–especially those that involved the iconic country star.

But when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me

(Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)