Garth Brooks' 'Friends in Low Places' Ranked 9th Best Country Song of All Time
After decades of country music superstars recording a staggering number of tracks that fans can't get enough of, even being considered among the best is a gigantic deal. One hit from a true icon that reached No. 1 and is considered an anthem by many has been ranked as one of the greatest country songs ever recorded.
Why the Iconic Song Was Ranked Among the Greatest
In May 2025, Billboard published its ranking of the "best country songs of all time," which listed 100 tracks that represent decades of the best the genre has had to offer. The collection of legendary tunes included a 1990 song that is arguably the definitive track from one of country music's biggest stars. Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places" was ranked as the ninth greatest country music song ever.
The outlet labeled "Friends in Low Places" as a song that "no one on the planet could successfully avoid - or would want to." It also noted that the song "is plenty perfect" from "its immortal opening lines to its closing fade." Most notably, Billboard described Brooks' iconic song in an epic and colorful way that reflects how passionately people respond to it.
"'Friends in Low Places' is a forever singalong, an underdogs-and-outcasts anthem so rousing that even the most devoutly sober instinctively raise a beer and throw their arm around their best pal to join in on that first chorus."
The hit song reached the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart within days of its release and stayed for a total of 20 weeks. "Friends in Low Places" went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on October 6, 1990, and stayed on top for an extremely impressive four weeks. Even though Brooks had 19 songs hit that peak during his legendary career, "Friends in Low Places" tied with "What She's Doing Now" as his song that stayed at No. 1 the longest.
Even decades after it was first released, "Friends in Low Places" is one of those rare country songs that even people who claim to hate the genre openly enjoy. In fact, many of those people not only can sing along with its catchy chorus, but they also joyfully do so at the top of their lungs. It is the ultimate twist that a song about not fitting in fancy places is so powerful that it can bring virtually everyone together in a jubilant sing-along. With that in mind, the only surprising aspect of the song's inclusion on Billboard's list is that it didn't top it.
Next: 51 Years Ago Today, a 1975 Country ‘Anthem for Hard-Working, Small-Town Folks Everywhere' Hit No. 1
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 3:15 AM.