The 10 Best Brantley Gilbert Songs of All-Time
Brantley Gilbert was born on January 20, 1985, in Jefferson, Georgia. His love of singing and songwriting started in his teens. After graduating high school, he went to Georgia College and State University with aspirations to become a marriage and relationship counselor. During this time, he also worked at Friendship Elementary in Gainsville, Georgia. However, his college days were short-lived. According to IMDB, when he was 19, he was involved in a near-fatal car accident that affected his memory. One good thing from the accident was that Gilbert decided to start writing songs again to recapture the memories he’d lost. One good thing from the accident was that Gilbert decided to start writing songs again to recapture the memories he’d lost. This accident happened because Gilbert suffered from drug and alcohol addiction. Sadly, the car accident wasn’t enough to get him sober. In an interview with Country Rebel, he described his journey to Nashville. As Gilbert said, “I remember thinking, this can be over at any point. I want to make sure I’m at least doing what I love.” However, as he began pursuing, his addiction only got worse. During his sessions, he’d carry around a bag with alcohol so he could take a break every couple of hours and have a drink. In 2009, he signed with Average Joe Entertainment, releasing two albums, Modern Day Prodigal Son and Halfway to Heaven, which peaked at number 2 on iTunes Country Album Charts and number 1 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart for all types of music. In 2011, he signed with Big Machine Records, which prompted a tour opening for Willie Nelson. After the short tour, he went opened for Toby Keith. A year later, he did his first headline tour, including musical artists like Greg Bates and Uncle Cracker. The same year he began touring was also the year he took his last drink, on December 18, 2011. So, many of his country party anthems are about bygone days. Getting sober also helped him reunite with the love of his life, another inspiration for his songs. These are the 10 best Brantley Gilbert songs of all time.
10. Fire & Brimstone
The song’s opening has an impressive mix of classic and contemporary country with many overtones of Rock and Roll. Gilbert’s voice is smooth throughout the music, and the guitar riffs overlays drive this song perfectly. Gilbert’s voice has a gravelly voice without sounding overly twangy, making this a cross-genre piece without saying forced.
9. Stone Cold Sober
The song opens with a thunderstorm which is how many people feel while amid addiction. Gilbert’s voice is melancholy without sounding depressing. The song’s lyrics are meditations on all the things you give up when you let drinking overtake your life. It’s easy to hear the heartfelt apologies in the lyrics and the deeply personal place where this song began.
8. One Hell of An Amen
Gilbert’s voice sounds heartbreaking and smokey over this evocative song. Throughout his catalog, he delves deep into emotions that many pieces miss because their artists haven’t lived through some of the life-altering experiences he did. The drum lyrics and smooth guitar riffs highlight the lines in the ballad without overpowering them.
7. You Don’t Know Her Like I Do
Most likely, this song was written about his now-wife, Amber. It’s a touching song about going through the worst with someone, but they stand beside you. The words in the music over soft guitar riffs with periods of electric guitar to highlight the most important words create a moving tribute to the women behind the men they love.
6. What Happens In A Small Town (Featuring Lindsay Eli)
Some people who live in large urban city’s dream about living in a small town, while those who grew up there want nothing more than to get out. However, in all their glorious simplicity, songs like this evoke the heartfelt memories of sharing hometown memories in middle America with someone and finding that you can never leave because your heart belongs with the person you loved since you were young.
5. The Worst Country Song of All Time (Featuring Toby Keith and Hardy)
Let’s face it, country songs have many jokes and stereotypes, and all of those cliches pop up in almost every song. Yes, this song has them, but Gilbert takes everyone and flips them to things he can’t stand. It comes across as comical because it’s done against traditional country instrumentation. However, the addition of saxophone adds a city vibe for another touch of irony. Keith adds lyrics that play on many of his songs, like Red Solo Cups. Overall, it’s a fun romp and tongue-in-cheek history of the genre.
4. Kick It In The Sticks
Even though much of Gilbert’s music is heartfelt and thought-provoking, this song country through and through. However, unlike many songs in previous generations, Gilbert adds heavy guitar riffs against the backdrop of country lyrics giving it an edge and allowing listeners who typically avoid country the opportunity to explore the genre.
3. Man That Hung The Moon
The opening of this song is moving. Gilbert’s voice is touching, and the guitar riffs are simple and weave around his vocals as he sings about his childhood and all of the powerful emotions you feel when you see your child accomplish all their first hope everything was the best for them. The lyrics also contain foreshadowing and wishes for his child to feel the same way he does when they look at their child.
2. Country Music Must Be Wide
You hear some of Hank Williams during the opening of this song which he later pays tribute to in the lyrics of this song. One of the biggest standouts on Gilbert’s themes is how he fuses country music with Southern Rock. However, he doesn’t rely on past acts and carves a unique sound that translates to fans of all genres.
1. Best Of Me
Gilbert goes back to his early country roots for this song. His voice is poignant over an arrangement of simple drum beats and echoing guitar riffs. The words in this song are another compelling piece on the power of addiction and what you lose when you can’t stop drinking. Like other songs in his catalog, this is leave your heart on the floor song. Gilbert’s insight into the end days of addiction shine.