The article highlights four country songs released in 1987 that it says remain especially enjoyable and uplifting. It presents them as examples of the strength of 1980s country music, ranging from romantic sing-alongs to humorous and road-life stories.

– “Fishin’ In The Dark” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, from Hold On, was written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo.
– “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses” by Kathy Mattea, from Untasted Honey, was written by Gene Nelson and Paul Nelson and follows a retiring truck driver.
– “Born To Boogie” by Hank Williams Jr., the title track of his 1987 album, was written by Williams and became his final number-one single.
– “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” by George Strait, from Ocean Front Property, was written by Sanger D. Shafer and Lyndia J. Shafer; it earned Strait a 1988 Grammy nomination for Male Country Vocal Performance.