There might not be a more definitive era in country music than the '90s. Lauded in the 25 years since the end of that decade as one of the best times within the genre, artists have been trying to emulate that sound ever since that time period.
Videos by Wide Open Country
There are far too many country albums that helped define the '90s to mention, but we picked four of the most notable.
1. "The Woman In Me" by Shania Twain
The Woman In Me is Shania Twain's sophomore album, and one of the most pivotal records in country music. Twain started gaining traction with her eponymous freshman record, out in 1993. But by the time The Woman In Me came out two years later, Twain had already proven that she wasn't listening to the naysayers.
The Woman In Me had an astonishing six No. 1 singles, including "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" and "Any Man of Mine." With The Woman In Me, Twain proved, in album sales and radio play, that country music could still be country, even with pop elements. She also proved that women could wear leopard print and midriff-baring shirts and still be taken seriously as an artist.
2. "Who I Am" by Alan Jackson
It's nearly impossible to pick which of Alan Jackson's albums best define '90s country music, since they all seem to in some way. But it's Who I Am, out in 1994, which seems to most embody what the genre represents. Jackson's fifth studio album, Who I Am includes some of Jackson's biggest hits, like "Livin' On Love," "Summertime Blues," "Gone Country," and more.
Twain might have proven that all of the bells and whistles belonged in country music. By the same token, Jackson proved that a good story song, a good vocal and a guitar is still all that '90s country needs.
3. Trisha Yearwood's Self-Titled Debut
Somewhere between Twain and Jackson emerged Trisha Yearwood. A stunning vocalist with a flawless delivery, Yearwood burst onto the '90s country scene with "She's In Love With The Boy." The song, from her 1991 self-titled debut, is just part of a masterpiece of a project, which also includes "The Woman Before Me," "That's What I Like About You" and more.
Interestingly, "She's In Love With The Boy" also became Yearwood's first No. 1 hit. She still performs that song in her live shows today.
4. "No Fences" by Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks created an entire movement with his self-titled freshman album, released in 1989. But it's No Fences, his sophomore record, out in 1990, which left artists scrambling in the 35 years since then to try and replicate that sound.
Brooks broke almost every rule in country music with No Fences, not that he cared. The record includes a string of hits, like "Shameless," "The Thunder Rolls" and "Unanswered Prayers." But the most pivotal track on No Fences is "Friends In Low Places." It's the song that Brooks is most known for, and the one that defines his career, and an entire era of music. It also happens to be the name of his Nashville bar.
