A feature from American Songwriter rounds up five of the most memorable single-line lyrics in classic country music, highlighting how the genre's greatest songwriters could capture a whole story or feeling in just one striking phrase. The list draws on songs spanning several decades, from Waylon Jennings' outlaw country era to Johnny Cash's prison ballads, celebrating the economy and emotional punch of country songwriting.

The selections include lines from Waylon Jennings' "Luckenbach, Texas," Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman," Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down," Dolly Parton's "To Daddy," and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Each entry pairs a memorable lyric with context on the song's writer, performer and emotional resonance, from Jimmy Webb's tender longing to Cash's morally conflicted narrator.

– Feature celebrates five standout one-line lyrics from classic country songs
– Includes tracks by Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash
– Highlights how concise lyrics convey powerful stories and emotions