Country superstar Luke Combs broke onto the scene in 2014 when he released his debut EP, The Way She Rides. However, he would not become a radio favorite until 2017.
His hit single “Hurricane” lit up the country charts and spent multiple weeks at No. 1. The bittersweet track off of This One’s For You remains his top-streamed song on Spotify to this day. It sold over 600,000 copies and cemented Combs’ name into country music fame.
It’s almost impossible to turn on country radio and not hear the sweet twang of his voice. With two full-length albums and several EPs, Combs has proven himself to fans over and over again. His discography will continue to grow over the foreseeable future, but for now, here are the top ten Luke Combs songs:
10. “Out There”
This track has the quintessential mentions of a Chevrolet Z71 and the woods. The premise of the song is classic: a group of buddies going to a bonfire. Combs’ country-rock voice shines in the hard-hitting chorus. It’s the perfect song to listen to when you’re driving around a small town like Athens looking for some Friday night plans.
9. “Dear Today”
One of Combs’ most stripped-down tracks is a letter to himself about all the things he wishes he did today rather than tomorrow. The track begins with a demo-style recording of the bridge and chorus before breaking into a produced version. It’s short and sweet, and it resonates with anyone who is having doubts about the situation they are in.
8. “Refrigerator Door”
The bearded man remains sentimental in “Refrigerator Door.” The nostalgic love letter to a Kenmore jumps to Combs’ childhood and back again. The imagery in the song paints a picture in the listener’s mind and makes them think back to their refrigerator at home. Despite packing a punch of emotion, the track remains upbeat.
7. “Houston, We Got A Problem”
“Houston, We Got A Problem” details the fish-out-of-water experience that anyone may feel when they live in a new place without their best friend or significant other. Combs centers the song around Houston, Texas, and its space race past to describe how he is feeling out of orbit with his new home. Anyone spending their first semester in Athens or moving across the country for a new job can relate to this song.
6. “When It Rains It Pours
Combs tells the tale of his “newfound luck on that FM dial” after ditching his ball-and-chain ex-fiance. This song has that ‘90s country feel with a modern edge. The feel-good energy radiates off of the chorus and can cheer anyone up after a rough day, week or, in Combs’ case, a few months.
5. “Angels Workin’ Overtime”
This is a college student anthem. Combs sings about how he never has a free moment due to work and play, but lucky for him, he’s got a few guardian angels to help him along the way. The sound is like that of The Kentucky Headhunters’ “Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine.” It’s got a loud kick drum and a bouncy piano in the background that feeds its groove. While it is arguably not his most popular song, “Angels Workin’ Overtime'' stands out among the crowd.
4. “Lovin’ On You”
Nothing will make you want to two-step more than “Lovin’ On You.” Its honky-tonk sound can best be compared to “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” by The Georgia Satellites and is sure to excite. Once again, Combs mentions some go-to country symbols, like his beer of choice, Miller Lite, fishing and porches. This song sounds great in headphones while walking around town or blasting through car speakers. Plus, the music video is pretty cute, too.
3. “I Got Away With You”
“I Got Away With You” is one of Combs’ most underrated love songs. Combs connects the thievery of art from the Louvre to his relationship with his wife, Nicole. It features a similar acoustic guitar and mellow drum beat as one of his biggest hits “Beautiful, Crazy.” However, the metaphors and the lyricism make this track a deeper cut.
2. “1, 2 Many”
“1, 2 Many” is guaranteed to make anyone run to the dance floor. Combs called in the help of Country Music Hall of Fame members Brooks & Dunn for this soon-to-be classic. The track details what a night at the bar can be like for Combs and his gang — including the eventual downfall of them all. Combs’ clever line at the end of the chorus “five, four, three, two, one, too many” is the highlight of the song.
1. “Cold as You”
This song layers an angry, heartbreak song over a punchy beat. It’s one of Combs’ more simple songs with only two verses, but that is what makes “Cold as You” shine. The line “this broke heart fool on an old barstool drinkin’ beer almost as cold as you” is nothing short of catchy due to the rhyme scheme and figurative language. “Cold as You” is not just a breakup song, though. It could be a co-worker or relative’s picture hanging on Combs’ dartboard — versatility is what makes this song beautiful.
Honorable Mention: “Dive”
Combs covered Ed Sheeran’s “Dive” for a Spotify Singles studio session in 2018. He put his spin on it by adding a more prominent steel guitar to the track with a stripped-down hi-hat beat. His throaty voice creates an extra layer of emotion within the lyrics that cannot be found in the original. Combs is also known to play this song at concerts, and it is sure to excite.
