Jamey Johnson's "In Color" would be higher on this list of the Top Country Songs of the Century if it was based purely on artist and songwriter opinion. It's the most frequently named song, or at least one of two (the other is still to come).

As you'll see in the video below, the Cadillac Three were inspired by the imaginative and vivid lyrics, and Johnson's stark performance on this ACM and CMA Song of the Year winner. Thompson Square also called the 2008 "brilliant."

"That's about the highest bar you can get, as far as songwriting goes," Keifer Thompson says. "It's just amazing."

"In Color" was only a Top 10 hit, showing there was (and still is) a divide between songs played on the radio and songs the artist community feels should get played on the radio. Perhaps part of the lack of commercial success was the singer's unwillingness to pander. That didn't matter to anyone that heard the song on its own, or in the context of others on The Lonesome Song album. It's a pure "shut up and listen" moment.

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.

Watch: the Cadillac Three Honor Jamey Johnson's "In Color" 

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