Boyfriend Country Pop

tagStarted 2017Peak 2018-2021Last big hit 2022

Soft, swoon-worthy country-pop sung by sensitive men to the women they adore: acoustic guitar, warm mid-tempo grooves, John Mayer-style guitar licks and earnest, intimate vocals. Lyrics worship one specific partner in tender detail rather than the bro-country party, all wrapped in glossy, wedding-playlist pop production.

History

Coined around 2018 as a direct reaction to bro-country's swagger, the lane centered on adoring love songs from male singers. Russell Dickerson's 'Yours', Brett Young's 'In Case You Didn't Know' and Dan + Shay's blockbuster 'Speechless' and '10,000 Hours' defined it before the trend faded in the early 2020s.

Defining artists

Russell DickersonSpotify YouTube
Dan + ShaySpotify YouTube
Brett YoungSpotify YouTube
Thomas RhettSpotify YouTube
Brett EldredgeSpotify YouTube
Chris LaneSpotify YouTube

Essential listening

Yours — Russell DickersonSpotify YouTube
Speechless — Dan + ShaySpotify YouTube
In Case You Didn't Know — Brett YoungSpotify YouTube
10,000 Hours — Dan + ShaySpotify YouTube
Die a Happy Man — Thomas RhettSpotify YouTube

← Explore Pop

Sources

https://savingcountrymusic.com/move-over-bro-country-boyfriend-country-is-here/
https://www.billboard.com/music/country/boyfriend-country-sensitive-songs-trend-cma-8543442/
https://holler.country/feature/opinion/boyfriend-country-evolution-john-mayer-influence/