The title track from Scotty McCreery's Same Truck album is a likable message of unity that fits safely within the singer's comfortable repertoire. Images of rural America color a guitar and mandolin-led arrangement that finds 27-year-old focused on the world around him.

He's done little of this across his four previous studio albums. Songs of love and loss have stood out and almost exclusively been chosen for radio singles. Exceptions include "Water Tower Town" (easily tied to his hometown, even if he didn't write it) and "In Between," a chart-topping co-write that smartly adds a chapter mark in his career, making clear he's no longer the kid who won American Idol a decade ago.

"But we’re all in the same truck / Heading down a different two lane / Kickin’ up the same dust / Praying for the same rain," he sings at the chorus. "Closing down the same bars / Different wishes on the same stars / Getting every mile out of these good years til the day He calls us up / We’re all in the same truck." 

Time — and a sure-to-come media tour — may reveal if a tumultuous two years in American social politics inspired this new song. McCreery certainly isn't stepping forward to lead a movement for equality, but he is showing that he's comfortable putting his voice to ideas bigger than him. That's a promising step forward for a singer and songwriter with quite a bit of promise.

Top Country Songs of 2021, Ranked

You'll find much more than just the Top 10 Country Songs of 2021 on this list. Enjoy the 21 best country songs of the year, based on Taste of Country staff and country music fan opinion, plus commercial data (sales, streaming, airplay).

To be considered, the song must have been released in 2021 or have actively charted for a portion of the year (see "Wine, Beer, Whiskey"). New artists including Lainey Wilson, Larry Fleet and Morgan Wade crack the top songs list, while hitmakers including Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean and Luke Combs make the Top 10.

Let us know your favorite song of 2021 on Twitter, or email us at staff@tasteofcountry.com.

More From KLAW-FM