Dwight Yoakam Songs Ranked
Dwight David Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and film director. He first achieved mainstream attention in 1986 with the release of his debut album Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.. Yoakam had considerable success throughout the late 1980s onward, with a total of ten studio albums for Reprise. Later projects have been released on Audium Music (now MNRK Music Group), New West, Warner, and Sugar Hill Records. Yoakam’s musical style draws from a wide variety of influences, including neotraditional country, honky-tonk, Bakersfield sound, bluegrass music, and country rock. He is known for his distinctive tenor singing voice, unconventional musical image, and the lead guitar work of his longtime producer and bandleader Pete Anderson. Yoakam writes most of his own songs while also holding a large number of successes with cover songs. Artists whom he has covered include Johnny Horton, Elvis Presley, The Blasters, Lefty Frizzell, and Queen. He has collaborated with John Mellencamp, k.d. lang, Ralph Stanley, and members of Alison Krauss & Union Station. Here are all of Dwight Yoakam songs ranked.
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10. I Want You to Want Me (Tomorrow’s Sounds Today, 2000)
“I am a rocker who normally shudders at the countryfication of classic rock songs, but Dwight’s take on this song is so cool. The song is completely remade in Dwights image and I can not imagine a better result. Wow!”
9. Tired of Waiting for You (Under the Covers, 1997)
“This is Dwight being a musician and artists. This isn’t a country CD and he never said it was. This is him being a true musical artist. Have an open mind and listen to the music he has created on this CD.”
8. The Late Great Golden State (Population Me, 2003)
“Late Great Golden State has a nice retro feel to it especially in the backup singers — the sound and style match the lyrics’ feel of being out of place in time. I especially enjoyed the bright pedal steel and brisk drumming.”
See more: Dwight Yoakam Albums Ranked
7. Love Caught Up to Me (Tomorrow’s Sounds Today, 2000)
“The opener, “Love Caught Up To Me,” tears out of the gate with a driving rhythm and a killer hook that augurs many more to come; Dwight’s alter-ego Pete Anderson and company have never sounded better or more energetic; I can’t think of another band in America, save for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, more in sync with each other and always ready to rock out, or turn it down behind Dwight’s beautiful ballads.”
6. An Exception to the Rule (Population Me, 2003)
“Exception to the Rule could be subtitled “The Pessimist Puts On Rose-Colored Glasses” … and the lyrics are classic Dwight, tight and complex with internal rhyming. Very nice keyboard bit in the middle.”
5. Blame the Vain (Blame the Vain, 2005)
“It may be a bold claim, but I truly believe that the songwriting showcased on Blame the Vain just might be some of the best material Yoakam’s ever written. With all twelve tracks penned solely by Dwight, I think he digs deeper into complex human emotions than he ever has before in terms of his lyrics.”
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4. Fast As You (This Time, 1994)
“Any country music fan will instantly recognize this song just from that opening riff. I love how that same riff transitions back and forth from rhythm to lead. As if this song wasn’t already instantly recognizable, there’s an organ in the chorus! An organ in country music! Brilliant!”
3. Things Change (A Long Way Home, 1998)
“One of his most underrated songs. I think its fabulous. The melody, the vocals, lyrics, musicianship. Its a great song. Dwight is one of the top ten greatest country music artists of all time. Not to mention he’s a phenomenal actor.”
2. Little Ways (Hillbilly Deluxe, 1987)
“I have been a Dwight Yoakam fan for a long time!!!! If you have never heard Dwight Yoakam’s music he sounds older country with a slight mexican mariachi flare added in. If you have heard Dwight Yoakam’s music, this album has some of his greatest hits plus a more country style than some of the other albums. This is one of my very favorite albums of his.”
1. A Thousand Miles From Nowhere (This Time, 1993)
“Right now, when things are bad, and I am low, this song resonates with me. It’s definitely one that I need to help me remember others feel the same. And we’re not alone in these mortal coils.”