# 3 Songs From the 2000s That Could Have Been Country Standards in Another Lifetime

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/3-songs-from-the-2000s-that-could-have-been-country-standards-in-another-lifetime/
- Published: 2026-08-05T22:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-25T04:17:27+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/3-songs-from-the-2000s-that-could-have-been-country-standards-in-another-lifetime/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music, TV

## Key points

- Article argues three 2000s pop/folk songs could pass as country hits
- Featured tracks: LaMontagne's "Jolene," Clarkson's "Because Of You," Bareilles' "Gravity"
- Reba McEntire's cover of "Because Of You" already proved the theory

## Summary

Country influences run through much of American popular music, and this article picks three well-known 2000s songs from other genres that it argues could easily have passed as country hits with only minor changes. The piece highlights how narrative, sentimental lyrics and simple chord structures link these tracks to country songwriting conventions, noting that one has already been proven country-ready through an official cover.

The songs featured are Ray LaMontagne's "Jolene," which the writer suggests could work as an alt-country hit in the style of Tyler Childers; Kelly Clarkson's "Because Of You," which was in fact covered in a country style by Reba McEntire; and Sara Bareilles' "Gravity," pitched as a potential crossover for a country artist with a bit more twang. The article draws on selected lyrics from each song to illustrate their country-compatible themes of heartbreak, caution and longing.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.