Ernest Clayton Walker Jr., better known as Clay Walker, was given his first guitar when he was nine years old. And by fifteen, he was entering and winning talent competitions.
By the time he was nineteen, Clay had begun to tour as a musician and eventually settled at a bar where James Stroud of Giant Records discovered him.
Since then, Clay Walker has released eleven studio albums, the first four of which have all been certified platinum, and his Greatest Hits compilation went gold. There are plenty of good ones that, unfortunately, won’t make this list. So, here are my picks for the best Clay Walker songs of all time.
Top 45 Best Clay Walker Songs of All Time
1 Live Until I Die
Album: Clay Walker
Any country fan who experienced the rush when this song first hit will attest to its endurance on the scene. It is easily one of Clay Walker’s biggest songs, and for very good reason.
The song was penned by Walker and released as the second single from his eponymous 1993 debut album. It is autobiographical and yet managed to cross over to so many fans due to the universal theme of being grateful for the best things in life.
The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, where it remained for a staggering 22 weeks. Easily one of the greatest country numbers of the 90s, “Live Until I Die” will remain a mammoth tune forever.
2 If I Could Make a Living
Album: If I Could Make A Living
Written by Alan Jackson, Keith Stegall, and Roger Murrah, this title track and first single from Walker’s second album is a staple for Clay Walker fans. And one of Clay Walker’s most loved songs.
The song is a wonderful mosaic of fiddle, mandolin, steel guitar, and some of the best lyrics of any Clay Walker Song. “If I could make a livin’ out of lovin’ you/I’d be a millionaire in a week or two/I’d be doin’ what I love and lovin’ what I do/If I could make a livin’ out of lovin’ you.”
The song was his fourth #1 hit, and at the same time, it also reached #2 in Canada. It would eventually reach that number one spot as well. And it’s widely recognized as one of the most popular Clay Walker songs.
3 Only on Days That End in Y
Album: Hypnotize the Moon
Here we have a lovely little gem from Walker’s third album. “Only on Days That End in Y” once again shows Clay’s talent for picking good universal subject matter that anyone can relate to.
This song’s nature is very playful, which makes it great fun for live shows and always livens up a party if you blast it over the stereo. Impromptu Line Dances all around for sure.
4 Hypnotize The Moon
Album: Hypnotize the Moon
Mostly when male singers describe the sensation of falling in love, they choose to do so in playful or upbeat ways. Something that Clay is more than capable of doing. With this title track from his third album, though, we are given a rare glimpse into a sincere account of this from the male perspective.
While the singer in the song is hypnotized by the love at first sight experience he’s enduring, this smash-hit hypnotized listeners into pushing it to the #2 spot on the country charts and into our hearts forever.
5 You’re Beginning To Get To Me
Album: Greatest Hits
This might be a bit of an obscure one. And it was only made available as an additional track on Clay’s 1998 Greatest Hits compilation.
It’s a very simple and fun song which I think suffered from the lack of a music video. That being said, it still managed to make enough of an impression on fans to endure to this day.
6 Dreaming With My Eyes Open
Album: Clay Walker
This one was the first track on Clay’s eponymous 1994 debut but was the last single off the album. It is a well-named, well-written tune about living in the moment and not the past. Looking ahead and seeing good things is part of making them happen and that’s living life to the fullest.
The song was Walker’s third #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was also featured in the film “The Thing Called Love,” starring Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix.
7 She Won’t Be Lonely Long
Album: She Won’t Be Lonely Long
As is often his fashion, Clay opens his ninth studio album with some good old fashion upbeat tempo fun. However, this title track from the album does have a somewhat darker tone in terms of its subject matter.
The song warns of the revenge taken by a woman scorned. That is, from the male point of view. For many women, this could be a great song to lift your mood after a breakup, but could also just be a real feel-good number to start a night out with.
“She Won’t Be Lonely Long” broke through the top five on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2010 and peaked at #4.
8 The Chain of Love
Album: Live, Laugh, Love
Some will say, making good country music lies in being able to tell a good story with convincing and endearing characters. Well, with this song, we are immersed in a wonderful narrative seamlessly woven together in the chorus, where everything comes full circle.
“You don’t owe me a thing
I’ve been there too
And someone once helped me out
Just the way I’m helping you
If you really wanna pay me back
Here’s what you do
Don’t let the chain of love end with you.”
“The Chain of Love” was Walker’s thirteenth top ten song. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. As a result, it ranks among the best Clay Walker songs of all time.
9 I Can’t Sleep
Album: A Few Questions
Here we have a very simple arrangement, yet it contains a lot of complexity in terms of emotion and power. The song was co-written with Chely Wright, who is also featured on background vocals.
The song is by no means as weighty in tone as some of the big ballads. But, it still has an undeniable heart of regret, which comes from the brilliant and simple arrangement of Clay’s voice and the harmonica. Walker also displays his wide falsetto range with a nice high one at the end of the song.
“I Can’t Sleep” proved to be yet another top ten hit peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
10 Rumour Has It
Album: Rumour Has It
Clay Walker is no stranger to writing endearing and painful ballads filled with emotion. But, what most of his discography will reflect is joy, and this track is a prime example.
The title track from his fourth studio album manages to put a positive spin on the old rumor mill and contains that very unique kind of energy that is only walker’s. It’s a fantastic tune to energize people since most will struggle to stand still when they hear it.
11 Fall
Album: Fall
This one is great for coming home to after a long day. It showcases Walker’s fantastic voice from low to high and, as always, has incredible instrumentation to accentuate the start of the show.
Showing his range…
The song starts with Walker’s signature low-pitched enticing drawl and then builds and builds like milk boiling on a stove. The chorus spills over, and we suddenly have a great display of Walker’s high-end vocal ability. A peak is reached, and then we settle back down into that wonderfully comforting drawl that is so lovely to come home to.
The title track from Walker’s eighth studio album peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
12 Where Do I Fit in The Picture
Album: Clay Walker
For me, this has to rank as one of Clay Walker’s most emotional songs. It’s simple in its arrangement and recording and contains all the ingredients for a winning recipe.
“Where Do I Fit in the Picture” is an exploration of the struggle to differentiate between the fixation on the past person and who we are, or will become. The true power in Walker’s voice comes through at the end of the second stanza. And, if that didn’t win you over in 93, nothing would.
13 This Woman and This Man
Album: If I Could Make A Living
This one is a sure-fire knee-buckler at live shows. But, it still deserves a lot of respect because when looked at as just a piece of music in no context whatsoever, it’s still very good. It’s brilliant, in fact.
I’m sure someone would have laughed if you’d told them that using R&B elements gave life to a love song by a country musician. But, that’s what was done on “This Woman and This Man,” and its success speaks for itself.
The song tells the story of a relationship coming apart at the seams. One person seems desperately enveloped and remains resolute, clinging to hope but still asking questions, “Have we lost the key to an open door?”.
Once again…
We see Walker deliver a story with incredible emotion and authenticity in his performance. This song also ranks as one of the best showcases of Walker’s beautiful and impressive vocal ability. “This Woman and This Man” was the second single off the album and became Walker’s fifth #1 single.
14If You Ever Feel Like Lovin’ Me Again by Clay Walker
15Watch This by Clay Walker
16Live, Laugh, Love by Clay Walker
17What’s It to You by Clay Walker
18Say No More by Clay Walker
19Ordinary People by Clay Walker
20The Melrose Avenue Cinema Two by Clay Walker
21If a Man Ain’t Thinkin’ (‘Bout His Woman) by Clay Walker
22I Need a Margarita by Clay Walker
23This Is What Matters by Clay Walker
24Lose Some Sleep Tonight by Clay Walker
25You’re My Witness by Clay Walker
26One, Two, I Love You by Clay Walker
27Before the Next Teardrop Falls by Clay Walker
28I Don’t Know How Love Starts by Clay Walker
29Hand Me Down Heart by Clay Walker
30Woman Thing by Clay Walker
31Heart Over Head Over Heels by Clay Walker
32Heaven Leave the Light On by Clay Walker
33Workin’ Man by Clay Walker
34Summertime Song by Clay Walker
35Just a Few Questions by Clay Walker
36I’m in the Mood for You by Clay Walker
37Keep Me From Loving You by Clay Walker
38Double Shot of John Wayne by Clay Walker
39Like We Never Said Goodbye by Clay Walker
40Jesse James by Clay Walker
41What’s the Use in Trying by Clay Walker
42Inside by Clay Walker
43Hand of the Almighty by Clay Walker
44What Matters by Clay Walker
45Next Step in Love by Clay Walker
Searching for Amazing Songs?
We can help. Take a look at our comprehensive articles on the Best Garth Brooks Songs of All Time, the Best Ted Nugent Songs of All Time, the Best Fleetwood Mac Songs, the Best Chicago Songs of All Time and the Best NSYNC Songs of All Time for more great song selections.
Best Clay Walker Songs of All Time – Conclusion
I’m picking “If I Could Make a Living” as the best song by Clay Walker of all time. That’s because I played it to roommates who don’t usually listen to country. But, by the end of the second chorus, they were skipping and moving around the room.
The song contains enough raw positive energy to transcend the borders of taste. Not only that, it represents Clay as I think he would like to be remembered, fun, and full of joy.
Until next time, happy listening.
