Determining the top selling country song of all time is no easy task. Country music has a rich history spanning many decades, and pinpointing one song above all others in terms of sales and impact is difficult. However, by looking at certified sales data, award history, and overall influence, some clear contenders emerge.
Top Contenders for Top Selling Country Song
Here are some of the top contenders for the best selling country song of all time:
- “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash – Released in 1956, this signature Cash tune has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. It spent 43 weeks on the charts and helped establish Cash as a country star.
- “Jolene” by Dolly Parton – Parton’s 1973 smash hit about a woman begging another not to take her man reached #1 on the country charts. It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
- “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash – Cash co-wrote this iconic 1963 song with June Carter Cash about falling in love. It has sold over 12 million copies globally.
- “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton – Parton wrote and recorded this ballad in 1974, and Whitney Houston later covered it. Combined sales of the two versions are over 27 million.
- “Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton – This pop-country duet was a massive crossover hit in 1983. It has been certified Platinum twice and has sold over 10 million copies.
Certified Sales Leaders
In terms of certified sales, a few songs stand out from the pack:
- “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston – Combined certified sales of over 27 million globally across all versions
- “Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton – RIAA certified Platinum twice (over 2 million copies sold)
- “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash – Over 12 million copies sold worldwide, including over 5 million in the US
Based solely on certified sales, “I Will Always Love You” has sold significantly more certified copies than any other contender. The two versions of the song together make it the clear sales leader.
Awards and Honors
Major awards and honors can also point to the most impactful and successful country songs:
- “I Walk the Line” – Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998
- “Jolene” – Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1974
- “Ring of Fire” – Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998
- “I Will Always Love You” – Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1994
“I Will Always Love You” stands out again here, winning two major Grammys including the prestigious Record of the Year award. It beat out massively successful pop songs to take home that award.
Lasting Influence and Impact
Beyond just sales and awards, the cultural impact of certain country songs is immense:
- “I Walk the Line” has been covered by over 100 artists and has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in music history
- “Jolene” remains Dolly Parton’s signature song and has been covered by major artists like The White Stripes
- “Ring of Fire” has transcended country music and become a pop culture standard covered by artists like Social Distortion and Eric Church
- “I Will Always Love You” is one of the best selling singles of all time thanks to Whitney Houston’s legendary cover
“I Will Always Love You” is arguably the most culturally significant country song when taking into account Whitney Houston’s pop version. That cover made it one of the best selling singles ever cutting across genres.
Conclusion
Based on the totality of certified sales, awards won, and enduring cultural impact, “I Will Always Love You” must be considered the top selling country song of all time. The combined versions by Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston have resulted in over 27 million certified sales, won Grammys, and achieved massive cross-genre pop success. Other songs like “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line” have certainly also left an indelible mark on music history, but “I Will Always Love You” is in a sales and impact class of its own.
