YOUR FAVORITE CMT SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

CMT 40 Greatest Love Songs Revealed

Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Faith Hill Rank High on Romantic List

Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" ranked first on a new special, CMT 40 Greatest Love Songs, which premiered on the network on Saturday (Feb. 12). Country legends such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Jones and Willie Nelson shared the remaining slots with relative newcomers like Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Parton wrote the bittersweet song for Porter Wagoner as she attempted to leave the cast of his syndicated television show, in spite of his determination to make her stay. The song reached No. 1 on the country chart in 1974 and again in 1982 with a new version recorded for Parton's film, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. However, in 1992, Whitney Houston's soaring rendition propelled the accompanying soundtrack of The Bodyguard to overwhelming sales of 17 million copies and inescapable radio airplay.

Nelson's tender "Always on My Mind," sung from the perspective of someone who realizes they could have been a better companion, landed at No. 2 on the CMT list. Released in 1982, the Grammy-winning ballad was written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson. Meanwhile, Hill's dramatic "Breathe," written by Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar, entered at No. 3. That seductive single spent six weeks at No. 1 on the country chart in 2000 and also won a Grammy.

Nelson and Hill also appear on the list with duet partners Waylon Jennings and Tim McGraw, respectively. Other famous names making the cut include Country Music Hall of Fame members Glen Campbell, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Conway Twitty and Tammy Wynette.

Here's the full list:

1. "I Will Always Love You," Dolly Parton (1974)

2. "Always on My Mind," Willie Nelson (1982)

3. "Breathe," Faith Hill (2000)

4. "He Stopped Loving Her Today," George Jones (1980)

5. "How Do I Live," LeAnn Rimes/Trisha Yearwood (1997)

6. "Sweet Dreams," Patsy Cline (1963)

7. "Ring of Fire," Johnny Cash (1963)

8. "When I Call Your Name," Vince Gill (1990)

9. "Love Story," Taylor Swift (2008)

10. "It's Your Love," Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (1997)

11. "Lady," Kenny Rogers (1980)

12. "When You Say Nothing at All," Keith Whitley (1988), Alison Krauss (1995)

13. "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)," Hank Williams (1951)

14. "Remember When," Alan Jackson (2004)

15. "Gentle on My Mind," Glen Campbell (1967)

16. "Good Hearted Woman," Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson (1976)

17. "Hello Darlin'," Conway Twitty (1970)

18. "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum (2009)

19. "I Can't Stop Loving You," Ray Charles (1962)

20. "You're Still the One," Shania Twain (1998)

21. "Sweet Thing," Keith Urban (2008)

22. "Mama He's Crazy," the Judds (1984)

23. "That's the Way Love Goes," Merle Haggard (1983)

24. "I Honestly Love You," Olivia Newton-John (1974)

25. "Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flatts (2004)

26. "Golden Ring," George Jones and Tammy Wynette (1976)

27. "I Told You So," Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis (2009)

28. "Please Remember Me," Tim McGraw (1999)

29. "Cowboy Take Me Away," Dixie Chicks (1999)

30. "I Cross My Heart," George Strait (1992)

31. "Stay," Sugarland (2007)

32. "Forever and Ever, Amen," Randy Travis (1987)

33. "Anything but Mine," Kenny Chesney (2005)

34. "If You See Him, If You See Her," Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn (1998)

35. "Then," Brad Paisley (2009)

36. "Lost in This Moment," Big & Rich (2007)

37. "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," Darius Rucker (2008)

38. "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma," David Frizzell and Shelley West (1981)

39. "No One Else on Earth," Wynonna (1992)

40. "Come a Little Closer," Dierks Bentley (2005)

Latest News