Honestly, if you’ve spent any time driving down a backroad with the windows down, you’ve probably heard Riley Green. But there is a massive difference between hearing "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" on the radio and actually knowing the deep cuts that make his discography what it is. It’s 2026, and Riley has somehow managed to stay "country" while everyone else is chasing pop trends. He’s the guy who writes about hunting, old dogs, and hard work without it feeling like a caricature.
People usually just search for a basic riley green songs list to find that one track about the trucks or the grandpas. But his catalog is way deeper than the hits. We’re talking about a guy who just dropped a deluxe version of Don't Mind If I Do and is already sitting on nearly 20 new tracks for the next record.
He’s prolific. Sorta relentless, actually.
The Chart-Toppers and the Ones That Broke Through
You can't talk about Riley without the big ones. "There Was This Girl" was the breakout, basically a three-minute crash course in how a guy goes from chasing whiskey to chasing a wedding ring. It hit No. 1 for a reason. It’s catchy. But it’s the sentimental stuff where he really found his lane.
"I Wish Grandpas Never Died" isn't just a song; it's a mood. Riley actually credited his grandfathers as co-writers on that one, which is just about the most "Riley Green" thing ever. He performed it live at the 55th ACM Awards and the room went dead silent. It’s got that 3X-Platinum status now, and in 2026, it still feels like the gold standard for modern nostalgia.
Then you have the collaborations. "Different 'Round Here" was already a fan favorite, but when he re-recorded it with Luke Combs, it became a monster. It’s an anthem for anyone who feels like the world is moving too fast and leaving small-town values behind.
The Recent Heavy Hitters (2024–2026)
Lately, he’s been leaning into this "Lifestyle Country" vibe. It's less about the charts and more about the culture.
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- "Worst Way": This one took off on socials and streaming. It’s a bit steamier than his usual hunting-and-fishing fare, showing a side of him that’s more "slow-burn romance." It’s currently sitting at over 340 million streams.
- "Don't Mind If I Do" (feat. Ella Langley): This duet is everywhere right now. Their chemistry is undeniable. It’s a classic "we shouldn't, but we are" country ballad that spent months at the top of the songwriter charts.
- "Change My Mind": A 2026 staple. It’s got that mid-tempo drive that works just as well in a stadium as it does in a garage.
- "Jesus Saves": This is probably the most gut-wrenching thing he’s released recently. It’s a story about a homeless veteran, and Riley used actual veterans as actors in the music video. It’s heavy.
The Riley Green Songs List: A Deep Dive Into the Catalog
If you’re building a playlist, you need the variety. You need the rowdy stuff for the tailgate and the "sit in your feelings" stuff for the late-night drive. Riley's discography is split across three main studio albums and a handful of EPs that honestly contain some of his best writing.
The "Don't Mind If I Do" Era (2024-2025)
This is where Riley really matured. The Deluxe version released in late 2025 added six tracks that changed the vibe of the whole project.
"Make It Rain" is a standout here. He’d been teasing it on his "Damn Country Music Tour" for ages before finally putting it on the Deluxe record. Then you’ve got "Cowboy As It Gets" featuring Randy Houser—two of the best grit-and-gravel voices in the business on one track. It’s pure traditionalism.
Other essentials from this era:
- "Turnin' Dirt": A blue-collar anthem that doesn't try too hard.
- "Reel Problems" (feat. Luke Bryan): A play on words about fishing. It’s lighthearted and fun, exactly what you’d expect from a collaboration between those two.
- "I Just Need You" (feat. Hannah McFarland): A tender duet that shows Riley's softer side.
- "Waitin' All Day": Classic Riley songwriting—patient and evocative.
The "Ain't My Last Rodeo" Era (2023)
Named after a conversation he had with his late Grandaddy Buford in the hospital. This album felt like a turning point.
- "Mississippi Or Me": A heartbreak song that uses geography to explain a fading relationship.
- "Copenhagen In A Cadillac" (feat. Jelly Roll): This was a surprise. Riley texted Jelly the song, and Jelly called him back immediately. It’s a fun, "rebel-rouser" type of track.
- "Damn Good Day To Leave": It’s got a bit of a "Heads Carolina, Tails California" energy. Upbeat but centered on a breakup.
The Early Days and Cult Favorites
You haven't really seen the full riley green songs list until you look at the EPs like Outlaws Like Us and Behind the Bar.
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"Bury Me in Dixie" is the one that started it all in the Alabama bars. It’s a statement of identity. Then there’s "Numbers on the Cars," which is one of the most honest depictions of dementia ever written in country music. He talks about his grandpa not knowing who he is until they get to the racetrack and the "old man turned and smiled at me." It’s a tear-jerker, plain and simple.
- "Georgia Time": A staple of his live shows.
- "When She Comes Home Tonight": A romantic track that’s been certified Platinum despite never being a massive radio single.
- "If It Wasn't For Trucks": Riley often jokes that there weren't enough truck songs in country music, so he had to write his own. It’s ironic, but it works because it’s so specific to his life in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Why People Get Riley Green Wrong
Most critics see a guy in a Duck Dynasty hat and a Carhartt shirt and think he’s just another "bro-country" artist. That’s a mistake. If you actually look at the songwriting credits, he’s writing most of this stuff himself or with a very tight-knit group of friends like Erik Dylan and Wyatt McCubbin.
He’s not a "crooner" in the traditional sense. He’s a storyteller. He doesn't have the vocal gymnastics of some of the guys in Nashville, but he has "the dirt." His voice sounds like it’s been through a few seasons of hay hauling and a few cases of beer. That’s the appeal.
The riley green songs list isn't just a collection of hits; it's a map of a very specific way of life. Whether he's talking about a "chip off the old block" or a "damn good day to leave," there's a level of southern authenticity that you can't fake.
What’s Coming Next in 2026?
As of January 2026, Riley is on a tear. He recently told Holler that he has 17 to 20 songs ready for a new record. He’s been posting snippets on Instagram of tracks like "Damn, I Miss That Dog" and "Got That From You." He’s also been leaning into the 90s nostalgia with his "The 90s Country Show" on Apple Music. You can hear that influence creeping into his newer work—more fiddle, more steel guitar, and fewer drum loops.
If you’re looking for the next big thing, keep an eye out for "Ol' Stray Dog," which dropped as a single late in 2025. It’s already becoming a fan favorite for its raw, acoustic-leaning production.
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How to Build the Perfect Riley Green Playlist
If you want the full experience, don't just stick to the "Essentials" playlist on Spotify. Mix it up.
- The Sad Stuff: "Numbers on the Cars," "I Wish Grandpas Never Died," "Jesus Saves," and "Hell Of A Way To Go."
- The Rowdy Stuff: "Bury Me In Dixie," "Copenhagen In A Cadillac," and "Get That Man A Beer."
- The Love (and Heartbreak) Songs: "Worst Way," "Don't Mind If I Do," "In Love By Now," and "Break Up More Often."
- The Lifestyle Anthems: "If It Wasn't For Trucks," "Different 'Round Here," and "Way Out Here."
Riley is one of those rare artists who actually gets better the deeper you go into his B-sides. He isn't trying to be a pop star. He’s just trying to be the guy from Jacksonville who made it. And in 2026, that’s exactly what country music needs.
Start with the Don't Mind If I Do (Deluxe) album to get a feel for his current sound, then work your way back to the early EPs to see where the grit comes from. You'll find that the "trucks and tractors" tropes are actually just a backdrop for some of the most human stories being told in Nashville today.
Check out his latest live recordings from the Midtown Sessions or the Apple Music Nashville Sessions to hear these songs stripped down—that's usually where the songwriting really shines. No flashy production, just a guy and his guitar telling you about his life.
Go listen to "Numbers on the Cars" first. If that doesn't make you a fan, nothing will. After that, hit the 2026 singles like "Change My Mind" to see where he's heading next. It’s a hell of a ride.