3 Unforgettable Country Songs Made for The Silver Screen

For the longest time, musicians have been scoring some of their biggest hits off of songs made for the silver screen. Artists such as Phil Collins, Randy Newman, and Whitney Houston are a few that come to mind. Despite being a popular practice in genres such as pop, this tactic has only been utilized in country music a handful of times. But when it is, sparks fly and the musicians add a whole other layer to the film their song is featured in.

There are country music films such as The Coal Miner’s Daughter, Walk The Line, and I Saw The Light. However, these films were inspired by pre-existing songs from Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. What this list hopes to achieve is to rank the best country songs created with the intent to be put on the silver screen. That said, here are three of the best.

1. “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” From ‘O Brother, where art thou?‘

Performed by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson in the Coen Brothers’ film, O Brother, where art thou. The song is a re-imagined cover of the age-old folk song written by Richard Burnett in 1913. It was re-written and recorded by legendary bluegrass musicians Dan Tyminski, Harley Allen, and Pat Enright under the fictional name of The Soggy Bottom Boys.

Besides becoming one of the most memorable moments from the epic film. The song also won a CMA award for Best Single of The Year and a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals. Furthermore, the soundtrack of the entire film spent a total of 683 weeks on the Billboard 200, 15 of those weeks being at the No. 1 spot.

2. “Maybe It’s Time” From 2018’s ‘A Star is Born‘

Performed by Bradley Cooper and written by Jason Isbell, “Maybe It’s Time” is a quintessential song about a Byronic hero’s transition from his old ways. Outlined with themes of remorse, guilt, and tragedy, the song is an embodiment of the age-old caricature of a troubled country singer/songwriter. It’s harrowingly brilliant and perfectly embodies Cooper’s protagonist, Jackson Maine.

Even though Isbell has not taken the majority of the credit for the song, he did write it. Upon its release, it debuted at No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won several other film awards. The song might not have garnered the accolades it deserved. Nonetheless, it’s a piece of country music that holds its own.

3. “The Weary Kind” Theme from ‘Crazy Heart‘

Written by Ryan Bingham for the 2009 film Crazy Heart, “The Weary Kind” acted as the film’s theme song. Much like “Maybe It’s Time,” Bingham’s tune is a song about the rough and tumble and rowdy ways of hard-up country musicians. Depicting Jeff Bridges’ character of Bad Blake and the world of country music, Bingham pulls out all the stops and creates a country folk song for the ages.

Given its quality, the song won a Grammy, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, and a Critics Choice award. Needless to say, both Bingham and the film took home the hardware the film and its music deserved. Crazy Heart is a brutally honest depiction of the country music business and it’s surely because of the music.

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