The essential Garth Brooks playlist (2024)

With dozens of hits, millions of records sold, and countless fans across the globe, Garth Brooks remains one of country music's most towering figures. Since his late-'80s debut, Brooks has brought his distinct, high-energy style to the forefront of the genre.

Looking to build the perfect Garth Brooks playlist? Start with these 20 tunes, which run the gamut of tracks from his debut album to a killer cover of "Shallow," originally recorded by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, alongside wife and fellow artist Trisha Yearwood.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Originally recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys, Garth Brooks scored a #2 hit with "Callin' Baton Rouge" in 1993.

Paul Harris/Getty Images

In 1992, Brooks stirred a minor controversy with "We Shall Be Free," an uplifting track that condemned a wide range of social ills, from hunger to racial discrimination to hom*ophobia. That controversy meant that it wasn't a #1 hit, but the song still endures as a message of hope for the future.

James Schnepf/Getty Images

A cover of a Billy Joel tune, Garth puts his own spin on "Shameless" with powerful vocals and a country arrangement. It was a #1 hit for Brooks in 1991 and remains a favorite among fans at his high-energy live shows.

Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect

The second single from Brooks's smash-hit sophom*ore album "No Fences," "Friends In Low Places" is a contender for one of the genre's finest drinking tunes. "I've got friends in low places," Brooks sings. "Where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away." It's the kind of track you've gotta raise a glass to after a tough day.

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

This beautiful, inspirational track is accompanied by an equally beautiful video, released in 1993. It encourages the listener to step "into the fire," or pursue the challenges that make life worth living.

Hulton Archive

A #1 hit for Brooks in 1998, "Two Pina Coladas" is a quintessential beach tune. As Brooks suggests in the song, it's best enjoyed with a duo of co*cktails — one in each hand.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ASCAP

Garth Brooks is no stranger to inspirational tunes, and "The Dance" is no exception. And now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go," he sings on the chorus, reminding us all to take chances. "Our lives are better left to chance, Icould have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." Wise words.

Beth Gwinn/Getty Images

Released in 1989, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" marked Garth Brooks's foray into the world of country love songs. It was an instant hit, Brooks's first #1, and is still widely considered one of his most iconic tunes.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Thanks to its stormy, moody vibe, this tune about infidelity, intrigue, and murder is one juicy story. Released in 1991, it was the fourth consecutive #1 single from his smash-hit album "No Fences."

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Brooks's debut track in 1989, he was a baby-faced newcomer when he brought his wise-beyond-his-years stylings to "Much Too Young." Telling the story of a weary rodeo cowboy looking to get home to his family, the track was a top-ten hit and kicked off one of the most legendary careers in country music history.

Paul Natkin/WireImage

Released in 1991, "Rodeo" is the definition of a cowboy's tune. Originally, Brooks wanted his future wife Trisha Yearwood to record the song but eventually laid down his own version, which became a top-ten hit in the United States and Canada.

Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

A somewhat sordid tale about a May-December romance, "That Summer" was co-written by Brooks and his then-wife Sandy Mahl, and notched the artist a #1 hit upon its release in 1993.

Dave Hogan

Brooks's rapid-fire delivery and a seriously upbeat melody make "Ain't Goin' Down 'Til The Sun Comes Up" one hell of a party song. Released in 1993, the song was one of the top ten country songs of the entire year.

Paul Harris/Getty Images

Co-written by Brooks and released in 1992, "The River" is the definition of a Garth Brooks inspirational track. It encourages the listener to follow their dreams, even — especially! — when the going gets tough. "I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry, like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky," Brooks sings. "I'll never reach my destination if I never try."

Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images

Yet another Brooks tune packed with wisdom, this track reminds us that "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." Upon its release in 1990, country fans immediately identified with that message, sending the song straight to #1.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Originally recorded by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga for the 2018 remake of "A Star Is Born," Garth Brooks teamed up with his wife and fellow vocal powerhouse for a killer cover of "Shallow," released in 2021. The duo's vocal chemistry is on full display here.

Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Co-written by Brooks, "What You Gonna Do With A Cowboy" was actually a single recorded and released by actual rodeo cowboy and country singer Chris Ledoux. Brooks lends vocals to the track, which is a super fun warning about the dangers of falling in love with a cowboy whose one true love is the rodeo.

Paul Harris/Getty Images

Perhaps the most dramatic story song in Brooks's repertoire, "Papa Loved Mama" is decidedly more sinister than its innocuous title might indicate. The 1992 single runs the gamut from adultery to murder, which likely propelled it to a #3 peak on the Billboard "Hot Country Singles" chart.

Beth Gwinn/Getty Images

Teaming up with country legend George Jones, this Garth Brooks classic is all about the time-honored tradition of the beer run.

Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect

The lead single from Brooks's 1997 album "Sevens," "Long Neck Bottle" is an ode to ice-cold beer served in, you guessed it, a long-necked bottle.