"Earl Had to Die: The 20 Greatest Country Songs Depicting Killing Your Partner"
In the realm of traditional country music, murder ballads have always held a significant place. Although they may not be as common in today's music, there is still a noteworthy collection of exceptional songs that delve into the theme of men killing their female romantic partners. On the other hand, songs that explore the reverse scenario are less frequently encountered. However, country music has not failed to produce a substantial number of songs that portray women as the ones taking the life of their partner. We have compiled a list of these songs to showcase this unique perspective.
Several factors eliminated certain contenders from consideration for this list. Our criteria included selecting only one song per artist, which meant that Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, both country stars with multiple murder songs in their repertoire, each received only one spot. Songs like "Before He Cheats," "Church Bells," "White Liar," and "Kerosene" are excellent revenge anthems, but ultimately, they were overshadowed by even more popular songs, resulting in their exclusion from the final selection.
The theme was quite specific, allowing for even more narrowing down. In order for a murder to be included in this list, it had to involve at least one male victim. Unfortunately, Ashley McBryde's "Martha Divine," which is considered one of the best modern murder songs in the genre, didn't make the cut. Additionally, honorable mentions go to Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger" and The SteelDrivers' "If It Hadn't Been for Love," but they also didn't make it onto this list.
Presented here is an impressive and wicked collection of the most powerful songs in country music that revolve around the idea of causing harm to others. Take a look at the gallery below to discover our top choices for revengeful tracks and lesser-known gems that center around the concept of murder, particularly when it involves the male figure in one's life (or persuading another person to take care of it for you). Keep reading, and make sure to share your favorite song about getting rid of your man in the comments if we happened to overlook it.
Earl's Demise: The Top 20 Country Songs Depicting the Act of Eliminating Your Male Partner
Art Credit: Carena Liptak
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