Eric Church’s ability to sum up the American experience in detail without the use of cliches, but with modern colloquialisms is extraordinary. With “Springsteen,” the Chief touches a part of all of us. He finds our shared experiences because even if your artist wasn’t the Boss, you know the feeling.

By the time song No. 14 on this Top Country Songs of the Century list was released in 2012, Church was on his way to new career heights. He’d just notched his first No. 1 hit and his longtime fans felt like their loyalty was rewarded and then some. “Springsteen” was sort of a secret weapon, because at the time, the singer was still very much an up-and-comer, albeit a hot one.

Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell helped Church write “Springsteen.” It gave in ever so slightly to a mainstream sound, but nothing about his nostalgic four-and-a-half-minutes of perfection smelled like 'sellout.' It was as honest as "Smoke a Little Smoke" or even "Two Pink Lines," but at age 34, Church was a different man than when those songs were released. They call this growth.

At the summit to decide the top songs of the 21st century, “Springsteen” was quickly approved in the first round of voting. It’s a no-doubter.

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.

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