10 Essential Jake Owen Songs

With the recent release of his Greatest Hits album, this month we take a look back at Jake Owen's 10 most memorable songs.

Written by Annie Reuter
10 Essential Jake Owen Songs
Jake Owen; Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for BeautyKind: Concert for Causes

For 11 years, Jake Owen has been bringing his laid-back charm, infectious music and undeniable swagger to country audiences everywhere. The Florida native who made beachin’ a part of our vernacular in 2014 has amassed six No. 1 singles and thanks to a new record deal with Big Loud, the hits won’t be slowing down anytime soon. With the recent release of his Greatest Hits album, this month we take a look back at Owen’s 10 most memorable songs.

(Arranged chronologically)

“Yee Haw” — from Startin’ with Me
Jake Owen launched onto the country music scene in 2006 with the up-tempo party anthem “Yee Haw.” A song about loosening up on a Friday night at the bar with friends, he penned the jam with Nashville hitmakers Casey Beathard and Kendal Marvel. Reaching No. 16 on the charts, “Yee Haw” introduced the singer’s fun side to the world.

“Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” — from Easy Does It
Where “Yee Haw” established Owen’s party side, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” had the singer making a 180-degree turn towards the sentimental. “So girl I can’t buy you a big diamond ring / No house on a hill full of life’s finer things / And I’ll tell you right now there’s a whole lot that I just can’t do / But baby, don’t think I can’t love you,” he croons on the touching power ballad. His highest charting single from his first two albums, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” rose to No. 2.

“Barefoot Blue Jean Night” — from Barefoot Blue Jean Night
Five years into his career, Owen garnered his first No. 1 with the vibrant summer anthem “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” Owen was nearly finished with his third album when he first heard the song. Unable to get the song out of his head, he decided to record it thanks to the suggestion of a friend and it soon became the title track of his album. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” marked what would be the start of a string of four consecutive No. 1 singles for the singer.

“Alone with You” — from Barefoot Blue Jean Night
The vulnerable “Alone with You” paints the picture of Owen struggling to get over a girl he knows is wrong for him. “You’ve got me out on the edge every time you call / And I know it would kill me if I fall / I can’t be alone with you,” he laments. Soaring electric guitar accompaniment and Owen’s yearning and cadenced vocals give added perspective to the already captivating song.

“The One That Got Away” — from Barefoot Blue Jean Night
Another summer song, with “The One That Got Away,” this time Owen gets nostalgic for a young summer love that ended too soon. He and his co-writers share the tale of a magical summer for a couple spent at the beach. “We shared three short months and one long goodbye / She was the one that got away, the one that wrecked my heart / I should have never let her go, I should have begged her to stay,” he sings.

“Anywhere with You” — from Barefoot Blue Jean Night
The fourth No. 1 for Owen, “Anywhere with You” has the singer telling his love he’ll follow her anywhere she wants to go as long as they’re together. Whether it’s West Virginia, Mexico, California, or Colorado, it doesn’t matter to him as long as he can tag along. A sweet sentiment, Owen once again showcases his vulnerability on this chart topper.

“Days of Gold” — Days of Gold
While “Days of Gold” only hit top 15 on the country charts, it’s one of Owen’s most ambitious singles to date. The fiery musical accompaniment coupled with Owen’s rapid fire singing make for an engaging moment in his live show that brings the energy to an all-time high.

“Beachin'”– Days of Gold
No. 1 hit “Beachin'” features Owen’s famous rhythmic talk-singing style and is a song the Florida native and beach lover has no doubt experienced firsthand. With intriguing production and Owen’s captivating vocal delivery, “Beachin'” is a welcomed earworm once summertime rolls around.

“What We Ain’t Got” — Days of Gold
A gem in Owen’s catalog, “What We Ain’t Got” was written by Travis Meadows and Travis Jerome Goff and tells the story of a man looking back on a former relationship wishing he didn’t let it go. The stripped down piano ballad features Owen’s emotional vocals as he sings of the desire of keeping up with the Joneses only to realize he had all he needed right in front of him all along. “All I want is what I had / I’d trade it all just to get her back / She’s moving on but I guess I’m not / Yeah, we all want what we ain’t got,” he laments.

“American Country Love Song” — American Love
Upon first hearing “American Country Love Song,” Owen says he immediately fell in love with the track and wanted it for himself. The song was actually on hold for Jason Aldean at the time, but thanks to the powers that be, Owen was able to record the song and release it as the first single to his fifth studio album American Love. What Owen has come to call a career song, the feel good “American Country Love Song” became a summer staple in 2016 and no doubt the soundtrack for many country fans.