All five remaining songs on this list of the Top Songs of the Century required little or no conversation. Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" is an inspiring sonic masterpiece that blanketed country radio for five years before pulling back ever so slightly.

Song No. 5 was released in 2000, and the more scholarly will point out that's technically part of the 20th century. While true, it's difficult to argue the song didn't define the early part of this century as well. It reached No. 1 on several charts after Jan. 1, 2001, and has certainly drawn as much airplay as others on this list.

Womack's multi-Platinum hit won Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards and hit No. 1 on several charts. It's a song of hope, as inspiring and necessary today as it was in the early 2000s. By her own admission this song took the singer to the next level of stardom, allowing her to release more bluegrass-inspired music in the years to come.

About this list: Taste of Country’s Top Country Songs of the Century were decided by a panel of country music experts and fans using sales and chart data, a song’s social and musical impact and lyrical integrity. Select artists were also surveyed. You’ll hear from several throughout the list.

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