No. 25: Maddie & Tae, ‘Girl in a Country Song’ – Top Country Songs of the Century

Maddie & Tae's debut single began a movement in country music. Few songs of the 21st century have had the social impact "Girl in a Country Song" had. The duo took aim at overt sexism in the format and hit a bullseye without upsetting any many of their fellow artists.

"It changed the conversation in country music about Bro Country," says ToC's Hilary Billings, one of the people involved in the quest to decide our Top Country Songs of the Century list. Maddie & Tae were saying, "We're sick of this," but saying it in a clever, catchy way. They weren't whining, which was critical for the song to be a hit.

You can't overstate the dearth of women on country radio at the time of the release of "Girl in a Country Song" (2014). It had been nearly two years since a female solo artist had a No. 1 hit, and women were truly being treated like jewelry — or tomatoes, as one radio consultant put it. The sub-genre known as Bro Country has not disappeared and likely never will, but it's certainly a less celebrated style in the years after this hit song.

About this list: Taste of Country’s Top Country Songs of the Century were decided by a panel of country music experts and fans using sales and chart data, a song’s social and musical impact and lyrical integrity. Select artists were also surveyed. You’ll hear from several throughout the list.

Watch Maddie & Tae Talk About "Girl In a Country Song"