No one knows how to tell a story through a country song quite like Wade Hayes. After being signed to Columbia Records in 1994, the Bethel Acres, Oklahoma native burst onto the scene with his debut record Old Enough to Know Better the following year.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Although his country music career was put on hold after being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in 2011, he's now cancer-free and regularly plays in Nashville and across the country. He released his latest album Old Country Song in 2017. From his earliest hits to a song inspired by his own cancer fight, here are our ten favorite Wade Hayes songs.
"On a Good Night"
From the album On a Good Night, 1996
Hayes' ode to a fateful meeting with a "brown hair, blue eyes, once-in-a-lifetime, countrified kinda girl" remains one of his most beloved hits. The video, filmed at Texas' Fischer Dance Hall, makes the honky-tonk barn burner even more fun.
"What I Meant to Say"
From the album Old Enough to Know Better, 1995
He may have come on the scene singing a hell-raiser, but Hayes proved he could deliver a heartfelt ballad with "What I Meant to Say," which hit the No. 5 spot in 1996.
"Old Enough to Know Better"
From the album Old Enough to Know Better, 1995
Hayes wins one for the weekend warriors in this blazing ode to the rowdy and reckless. The track, which debuted in 1994, is Hayes' first and only No. 1 hit.
"The Day That She Left Tulsa (In a Chevy)"
From the album When The Wrong One Loves You Right, 1998
Written by Mark D. Sanders and Steve Diamond, "The Day That She Left Tulsa (In a Chevy)" further showcased Hayes' ability to deliver a devastatingly sad country song.
"Go Live Your Life"
From the album Go Live Your Life, 2015
Hayes channeled one of the most difficult experiences of his life into music with "Go Live Your Life." The singer was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2011. After fighting and beating the disease twice, Hayes penned this song with Bobby Pinson as a reminder to himself and others to make the most of the time we're given.
"It's Over My Head"
From the album Old Enough to Know Better, 1995
This sweet country shuffle about a lovestruck man who can't believe his luck was featured on Hayes' debut album.
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"I'm Still Dancin' With You"
From the album Old Enough to Know Better, 1995
Written by Hayes and Chick Rains, this slow-burning heartbreaker follows a lonely man who sees his ex everywhere--especially on the dance floor.
"Where Do I Go to Start All Over"
From the album On a Good Night, 1996
Another Hayes and Chick Rains composition, "Where Do I Go to Start All Over" is another pedal steel-driven song that puts Hayes' crystal clear country voice front and center.
"Don't Stop"
From the album Old Enough to Know Better, 1995
Written by Chick Rains and Tom Shapiro, this steamy song hit the No. 10 spot on the country charts in 1995.
"When The Wrong One Loves You Right"
From the album When The Wrong One Loves You Right, 1998
Written by Leslie Satcher, this uptempo romp may not have been a single, but it's the kind of high-powered track that helped make Hayes one of the best singers and performers of the 90s.
Honorable Mention: "Undo The Right," "How Do You Sleep At Night," "Family Reunion," "Up North (Down South, Back East, Out West)" and "The Room."
This post was originally published on July 10, 2018.
