YOUR FAVORITE CMT SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Ten Country Love Songs We Love

Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, James Otto, Garth Brooks Among Staff Favorites

We cry in our beer as much as the next person, but every once in a while, we're enchanted by a country love song. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, here are 10 of our favorites.

"Amanda," Waylon Jennings

Written by the great Bob McDill and sung in my favorite version by the incomparable Waylon Jennings, "Amanda" is the first song I thought of as being a truly mature love song. "Amanda, light of my life/Fate should have made you a gentleman's wife." The narrator tells of his love and his regrets for could have been. But the love endures. -- Chet Flippo, CMT.com

"Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts

Whether it's the indescribable vocals or the sentimental lyrics, the song gets me a little teary-eyed every time I hear it. The song is a declaration of love every girl wants to hear. It's about finding that person where nothing that happened before it matters and the belief that in the end destiny made everything come together. -- Annemarie Blanco, CMT.com

"Home," Blake Shelton

This is the love song I can relate to the most at the moment, and I feel other young professionals in long-distance relationships can, too. No matter what dreams you're chasing in your career, they don't seem as important if no one is by your side to share them with. You could be in some of the most amazing places in the world, but they aren't as beautiful without your partner. For me, the word "home" in this song means more than where your mailing address is. It's the feeling of comfort, warmth and love while in the company of the one you love. -- Lindsey Roznovsky, CMT Radio

"Just Got Started Lovin' You," James Otto

This was the No. 1 love song of 2008 and several other years, if my memory serves me right. Happy Valentine's Day. -- Hazel Smith, CMT.com

"Love's Gonna Live Here," Buck Owens

Most love songs have a slow tempo and reflective lyrics, but this one's cheery and upbeat in its tone and message. With twangy backing from his great band, the Buckaroos, Owens beams with optimism when he sings, "Oh, the sun's gonna shine in my life once more. Love's gonna live here again." You can tell he's a happy guy at that particular moment. -- Calvin Gilbert, CMT.com

"The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)," Juice Newton

This isn't about first love, young love or something that's not love but not bad. Rather, it's a song for partners who've weathered all sorts of storms and still see a lighthouse in each other. -- Edward Morris, CMT.com

"Unanswered Prayers," Garth Brooks

Sometimes the only way to truly appreciate the love you have now is to come face to face with the love you used to pray for. Because the Lord knows what He's doing after all, and Brooks lends his most ethereal vocals to this story of who's really behind that one true love. -- Alison Bonaguro, CMT.com

"Wagon Wheel," Old Crow Medicine Show

Maybe not a love song in the traditional sense, but for me, there is none better. Old Crow turns an unfinished Bob Dylan lyric into a journey song that hits all the emotional buttons. When Ketch Secor sings, "Rock me, Momma, like a wagon wheel," I think he's really saying that he's found out what is most important to him: love. -- Christopher Parton, CMT.com

"Whenever You Come Around," Vince Gill

"I get weak in the knees" each time I hear Vince Gill sing this song. With his pure, smooth voice, my heart melts with each note. When I saw him perform this song in concert, he shared with us that he wrote "Whenever You Come Around" about his wife, Amy Grant, but before they were even dating. It doesn't get much more romantic than that. -- Whitney Self, CMT.com

"You've Never Been This Far Before," Conway Twitty

This song is dirty! But I love it ... (pum pum pum ...). It's about the tingly moments leading up to a couple's first night together ... (pum pum pum ...). Especially after they've both wanted it for so long ... (pum pum pum ...). Trembling fingers touching forbidden places ... (pum pum pum...). The suspense is killing me! -- Craig Shelburne, CMT.com

Read our 2007 list of Ten Country Love Songs We Love.

Latest News