Ranking Every Garth Brooks Studio Album
If you have a tendency to listen to a lot of country music, you have undoubtedly heard a lot of Garth Brooks songs on the radio over the years. As a matter of fact, there’s every chance that you even have a few of his albums, if not all of them. Of course, everybody has their opinion about which ones are better. In fact, your favorite one might very well be one that other people aren’t as fond of.
Perhaps you have a friend that absolutely loves one that you are not as crazy about. Now that all of this is out of the way, you can enjoy seeing all 16 of his albums from 1989 to present day ranked right here. They’re ranked from number 16 to number one, but again, your personal opinion could easily differ. The best part about it is that there’s a YouTube link for each one, so if you have somehow missed out on one of these, all you have to do is click on the link in order to listen to it for yourself.
16. Fun (2020)
His 14th studio album ended up taking two years to make because it was delayed by the covid-19 pandemic. It features his newer songs and some that fans were surprised to hear, such as the rough mix of a song called “Courage of Love.” This particular song wasn’t fully developed in order to be released on an album, yet Brooks felt that it was poignant enough that the rough mix be included so fans could hear the lyrics. It also includes other songs such as “The Road I’m On” and “All Day Long.”
15. Gunslinger (2016)
This was the 13th studio album and was released by Pearl Records. It included the lead single “Baby Let’s Lay Down and Dance” which eventually became quite popular with fans. Other songs on the album include “Ask Me How I Know,” “Honky Tonk Somewhere” and “Weekend.” As you might have noticed, there was a four-year time span between the release of this album and his next one, Fun. Originally, they had planned to release the two albums approximately two years apart. However, the covid-19 pandemic delayed things extensively, adding another two years to that release date, as previously discussed.
14. Garth Brooks and the Magic of Christmas (1999)
This was another popular album with fans. In fact, it had a 93% approval rating. The album that was released on the 23rd of November, 1999 ended up at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart but more importantly, it reached number one on the Top Country Albums chart. It marked his second holiday album and the ninth studio album and was recorded at two different studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Songs on the album include “White Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride,” among many other popular options.
13. Man Against Machine (2014)
This was another immensely popular album released by Brooks. Again, he teamed up with record label Pearl Records and included not only country music, but also a bit of pop rock. The album was eventually nominated for the Billboard Music Award for top country album, although the award went to a different album. It marked his 11th studio album and was released on the 11th of November, 2014 in conjunction with both Pearl Records and RCA Records Nashville. It was meant to be the first record released by the singer after he announced his comeback tour and included the title song, “Man Against Machine” as well as “She’s Tired of Boys” and “Cold Like That.”
12. Scarecrow (2001)
Over the years, Brooks became rather accustomed to his albums either reaching number one on the charts or at least getting close to that position and this particular album was no exception. Released in November of 2001 it actually debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart as well as the Top Country Albums chart. It featured almost entirely country music and was produced by Allen Reynolds on the Capitol Records label. It included songs such as “Wrapped Up in You” and “Beer Run.”
11. The Lost Sessions (2005)
As the title of the album itself implies, this album was meant to feature songs that had previously been recorded for potential inclusion in other albums, only to have been dropped somewhere along the way. It was released in 2005 on the Pearl Records label and featured the lead single, “Good Ride Cowboy.” Other songs featured on the album include “Love Will Always Win” and “Allison Miranda.”
10. In Pieces (1993)
This sixth studio album also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums charts. It also marked one of the first times that Brooks’ music became exceptionally popular in countries outside the United States. This particular album went to the top of the charts in the United Kingdom as well, introducing Brooks to an entirely new group of fans. It included the immensely popular single “Standing Outside the Fire” as well as “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “One Night a Day” and “The Red Strokes.”
9. Christmas Together (w/ Trisha Yearwood, 2016)
This marks the first time that Brooks recorded an entire album with his wife, Trisha Yearwood. It features both of them singing duets on the album and was released by Pearl Records on November 11th 2016. It’s a relatively short album, as the entire length is less than 30 minutes. Nevertheless, it features some of the most popular Christmas songs as well as a few new favorites. The songs include “I’m Beginning to See the Light” and “Santa Baby.”
8. No Fences (1990)
Only his second studio album, it reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 3 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed in the top 40 for an amazing 126 consecutive weeks. Songs on the album include “The Thunder Rolls” and “New Way to Fly.”
7. Ropin’ the Wind (1991)
This third studio album debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. It was released on the Capitol Records of Nashville label and included immensely popular songs that have since become Garth Brooks staples such as “What She’s Doing Now,” “Against the Grain” and “Rodeo.”
6. The Chase (1992)
This was the fifth studio album released by Brooks. Released on Liberty Records, it sold 403,000 copies in its first week alone. It also debuted at number one on both the Top Country Albums chart and the Billboard 200. It included the popular lead single “We Shall be Free.”
5. Beyond the Season (1992)
This was Brooks’ first Christmas album and his fourth studio release. Even though it was a Christmas album, it was actually released on the 25th of August through Liberty Records. Popular songs include “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
4. Garth Brooks (1989)
This served as his debut album and it didn’t take long for it to hit the top of the music charts. It essentially placed Brooks on the map and cemented his place as a country music legend. The album includes the songs “The Dance” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”
3. Double Live (1998)
This was Brooks’ first live album, involving multiple songs that were all recorded during his tour that he completed between 1996 and 1998. It features live versions of the songs “Callin’ Baton Rouge” and “Shameless.”
2. Fresh Horses (1995)
The seventh studio album also hit number one on the charts but interestingly enough, it was banned on the radio worldwide so no one could actually listen to any of the songs until the album was available to buy. That album was released on the 21st of November and was eventually nominated for the American Music Award for favorite country album. Songs include “The Fever” and “Cowboys and Angels.”
1. Sevens (1997)
Not surprisingly, this seventh studio album also debuted at number one on the charts. Produced by Allen Reynolds and recorded in Nashville, some of the more popular songs include “How You Ever Gonna Know” and “She’s Gonna Make It.”
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