No. 87: David Ball, ‘Riding With Private Malone’ – Top 100 Country Songs

The timing of David Ball's 2001 release surely helped its legacy and standing on our Top 100 Country Songs list. The singer -- who scored his hits in the mid-90s -- released this song prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks, so it didn't feel as forced as many other tribute songs. In fact, 'Riding With Private Malone' felt like the most genuine, understated tribute ever penned to our military.

Ball's song reached No. 2 on the country charts -- a big accomplishment for a song on an independent record label. It's a great story, as told by the perfect soft-spoken singer.

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Listen to 'Riding With Private Malone' by David Ball