Jason Aldean - Night Train

Night Train

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean's fifth studio album was released on October 16, 2012 and was his third album to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200. It had the biggest opening sales for a country album since Taylor Swift's Speak Now in 2010. It had the fourth biggest opening sales for an album in 2012. Night Train keeps the strong vocals and catchy melodies, but ups the lyrical meaning.

1. This Nothin' Town: With a catchy, mid-temp melody, This Nothin' Town tells the story of small towns and how it might not seem like much, but there's always something to do.

"Don't let that one red light fool ya / there's always something going down / in this nothin' town"

2. When She Says Baby: A cute country romance song, When She Says Baby talks about how love can get you through anything with catchy vocals to back up the lyrics.

"Something I can believe in / a best friend / a heaven sent / love to lean on / but when she says baby / no matter what comes / ain't going no where"

3. Feel That Again: A reminiscent song, but surely not a ballad, Feel That Again is mid-tempo and catchy with a very timely and strong guitar riff that gives it a country-rock feel.

"Guitar coming through the speakers / that song you never wanna end / gimme some of that you and me / some of that way back when / a little bit wild and free / I wanna feel that again"

4. Wheels Rollin': Wheels Rollin' is a touring anthem about being on tour and the rush of performing.

"All I want / is to sing my songs / hearing that crowd / keeps me going / guitars rocking / wheels rolling"

5. Talk: One of the first ballad-like songs on the album, Talk is about the things that you can say without words, with the type of strong vocals Jason Aldean is known for.

"I don't wanna waste that moon / and the heat on this Ford / I don't wanna talk anymore"

6. The Only Way I Know: Already a hit, The Only Way I Know is a very catchy and fast collaboration with Luke Bryan and Eric Church about growing up in the country and the attitudes it instills.

"Full throttle / wide open / you get tired but you don't show it / dig a little deeper when you think you can't dig no more / that's the only way I know"

7. Take A Little Ride: Take a Little Ride is the first single from the album, and is a very chill, upbeat song about taking a break and spending some downtime "taking a ride" with a girl.

"I'm just ready to ride this Chevy / ride this Chevy / down a little back road / slide your pretty little self on over / get a little closer / turn up the radio"

8. I Don't Do Lonely Well: A very strong, slowed-down ballad, I Don't Do Lonely Well shows how Jason Aldean can not only do strong vocals, but vulnerable and emotional ones as well.

"I don't do lonely well / here comes another sunset / here comes another long night / I'm not over you yet / ... / I can get up and face the day / just fine all by myself"

9. Night Train: A mid-tempo romantic song, Night Train is extremely catchy in lyric and melody, talking about sitting with someone you care about and just watching the night train.

"Park the truck and we take off running / hurry up girl I hear it coming / ... / the thought of you is driving me insane / come on baby let's go listen to the night train"

10. 1994: A faster song that seems to blend rock and hip-hop with classic Jason Aldean country, 1994 is a fun song referencing artists from 1994.

"I'm just a country boy / with a farmer's tan / so help me girl I'll be / your pickup man"

11. Staring At The Sun: A slower ballad, but a less vulnerable one, Staring at the Sun has strong vocals and great lyrics about a girl that you love that just won't give up on you.

"Other women I see none / she's like staring at the sun / she gets onto you / under your skin like a tattoo / she'll always be there"

12. Drink One For Me: About the sacrifices of being on the road, Drink One For Me talks about what you're missing out on by not being at home with friends and family.

"Tell all the boys thanks for having my back / some of the best memories I've ever had / so go on and get crazy / and drink one for me"

13. Black Tears: With a very different theme for country song, originally written and performed by Florida Georgia Line (before their rise to popularity), Black Tears is emotional and slow with a different take on the life of a stripper.

"Black tears / rolling down / from the eyes of an angel / in a sinner's town / white lights / on the mirror / just don't hide / black tears"

14. Walking Away: A mid-tempo song with great lyrics, Walking Away is from the perspective of a guy warning a girl that he's interested, but he won't treat her right and she really shouldn't get her hopes up.

"Girl don't get me wrong / I'd sure love to do this / but somewhere in my heart / I know the truth is / you oughta be walking away / as far as you can go / as fast as you can"

15. Water Tower: Another reminiscent ballad about missing home, Water Tower is a story teller about the things left behind.

"I've been away / way too long / water tower / like a lighthouse in a storm / you help me find my way back home"

Days of Gold - Jake Owen

Days of Gold

Jake Owen's Fourth Studio Album

Jake Owen's newest album was released on December 3rd, 2013 and included the first single, also titled "Days of Gold." The album has everything Jake Owen is known for - feel-good party songs, heart-wrenching ballads, and summer anthems.

1. Days of Gold: Days of Gold is the first single, with a quicker tempo and fun, fast lyrics about making the most of "southern summer"

"Southern summer / and that sun shining down like Daddy's silver dollar / gotta hop on the old dirt road to the days of gold"

2. Beachin': Beachin' is a story telling song, again in summer, but this time with a laid-back melody and spoken verses about a summer love that further enhance the story-telling vibe.

"just a summertime story / chillin' / breazin' / sippin' / singing' / whoa / beachin'"

3. 1972: 1972 is reminiscent of old school rock-and-roll, using rock terms and talking about partying like they did in the title year, with a rock influenced melody as well.

"I'm gonna rock you like Zepplin / roll you like the stones / burr like them speakers in my old headphones"

4. Ghost Town: Ghost Town takes the a more melody-oriented turn, with lyrics about seeing a lost love everywhere and a catchy beat.

"At every party / dive bar / backseat in my car / sounds crazy I know / but you just keep haunting around / you got me living in a / ghost town"

5. Life of the Party: A misleading title, but the song is a little slower, with lyrics about lying and still being the "life of the party" after a rough breakup.

"taking my shots / throwing 'em back / acting like you ain't gone / I don't want 'em to know / I'm all alone / and I ain't got nobody"

6. Good Timing: Good Timing is a cute and mid-tempo feel-good song about finding someone going through a similar situation and the spark that comes from something new.

"Girl we got some / good timing / just a boy and a girl / underneath these stars shining / it feels like it was meant to be"

7. Tall Glass of Something: Most country album's wouldn't be complete without a drinking song, and Days of Gold is no different. Tall Glass of Something lists off names of drinks quickly, with little along the lines of an actual melody.

"a yellow umbrella foamy style / a kiss on my cheek / just you and me / that's all I need / oh and a tall glass of something"

8. One Little Kiss (Never Killed Nobody): Similar to Owen's previous single, Alone With You, One Little Kiss talks about seeing an ex again and the little things getting to you with a slower, smoother melody than others on the album.

"Now you're gone and it's hitting me / like a bullet and it's hard to breathe / one little kiss never killed nobody but me"

9. What We Ain't Got: The heartbroken ballad of the album, What We Ain't Got is slow and genuine, with lyrics about how you never truly realize what you have until it's gone.

"We all want what we ain't got / our favorite doors are always locked / ... / I wanted the world til my whole world stopped / you know a love like that ain't easily forgot / I guess we all want what we ain't got."

10. Tipsy: Tipsy is a fun, rhythmic song that talks about the combination of whiskey and a girl, and not knowing which of the two is really driving you crazy.

"and I don't know if it's you or the whiskey / that's got me feeling all tipsy tipsy / I can feel myself about to fall / everytime you kiss me kiss me"

11. Drivin' All Night: Driving All Night has a slower melody and cute story about going out of your way to see someone, even if it's not for long. 

"and you ain't gonna ask twice / I'm already gone / girl I'm gone / drivin' all night / drivin' all night"

12. Sure Feels Right: Sure Feels Right tells a story about when you aren't sure if a new love is a good idea, but the rush and the chance of danger makes it feel so right.

"I said this sure feels dangerous to me / it feels like a struck match kissing gasoline / it feels a little better than it ever has"