For Luke Bryan, in a singles-led world, albums still rule.
The country superstar grew up listening to albums and knows that how a record is sequenced greatly affects the listener experience.
That’s why he decided to finish his latest chart topper, Born Here Live Here Die Here with his new single, the gorgeous mid-tempo ballad, “Down to One.” The fourth single from the album follows three Country Airplay No. 1s from the set, “Knockin’ Boots,” “What She Wants Tonight” and “One Margarita.”
“I wanted to close the album with a classic country love song, and the first time I heard this song I knew it had to be on the album,” Bryan tells Billboard. “It’s really important when you are creating the track list to think about the journey you’re taking the listeners on. For me, this was an awesome song to close the album with.”
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To commemorate “Down to One” and it’s “last-but-not-least” placement on Born Here Live Here Die Here, Bryan created a playlist of his favorite album closers of all time. See them below.
“Somewhere Between Right and Wrong,” Earl Thomas Conley, 16 Greatest Hits Album
“My family were huge fans of Earl Thomas Conley growing up, his music was the soundtrack to my childhood growing up in South Georgia. Every time I got in my dad’s pickup truck, he had all the Earl Thomas Conley’s tapes playing. He was a craftsman with storytelling and country music and songs like “Somewhere Between Right and Wrong” take me back to the time when I fell in love with country music.
“The Captain and Me,” The Doobie Brothers, The Captain and Me
“The Doobie Brothers have always been an inspiration to me. Having the chance to play live with them on CMT Crossroads was once in a lifetime. ‘The Captain and Me’ will always be one of my favorites off this classic album.”
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“Take It Easy (Live),” Eagles, Eagles Live
“‘Take It Easy’ has such a simple meaning and melody, but it’s able to resonate with so many. It’s such a feel-good song and when I hear it, it makes me excited to get back on the road.”
“Love Will Conquer All,” Lionel Richie, Dancing On The Ceiling
“This song has a message of hope the world needs to hear right now. I’ll always be inspired by Lionel’s music, and I’m honored to be able to call him a friend and am lucky to work alongside him on American Idol.”
“Gonna Have A Party,” Alabama, Mountain Music
“Mountain Music is another album that reminds me why I love country music. I can remember listening to it on repeat growing up. I love that this album closes with the fun-time song ‘Gonna Have A Party.’ It’s a great representation of a fun and easy-going country song.”
“Daddy’s Little Man, ” Shenandoah, Extra Mile
“This song has a sentiment all dads can relate to. It has such a sweet message and reminds me of watching my own kids grow up.”
“The Joker,” Steve Miller Band, The Joker Live in Concert
“I have performed this song myself a few times and it’s just so fun. A concert setlist is just as important as deciding your track list on an album. I loved that they saved this for last on their Live In Concert album.”
“You Just Get Better All The Time,” Tim McGraw, Everywhere
“Tim’s Everywhere album is one of my all time favorites. He is just a pro on all levels.”
“I Lived It,” Blake Shelton, Texoma Shore
“The first time I heard this song, the lyrics really hit me. It’s one of those songs you wish you had written yourself. Regardless of the placement of this song on the album, it was really a high point.”
“Sing One With Willie,” George Strait ft. Willie Nelson, Honky Tonk Time Machine
Of course I had to add a little King George to this list. This one is a no brainer from his last album. Two living legends on one song. I love when an album leaves you smiling and that’s exactly what this one does for me.”