Kenny Chesney’s Studio Albums Ranked: From Worst to Best

Since Kenny Chesney just announced the upcoming release of his new album, Born, we thought we’d take a look back in time and rank all of Kenny’s studio albums from worst to best. Now, Kenny Chesney has been putting out music for close to 30 years so this task was no easy feat. The list below covers all 18 of Kenny’s studio albums, from 1994’s In My Wildest Dreams to 2020’s Here and Now. We will not be including his 2 live albums, his greatest hits records, or his 2003 Christmas album. Let us know in the comments what your favorite Kenny Chesney album is and where you think his new album, Born, will rank!

18. In My Wildest Dreams (1994)

This is Kenny’s debut album, and it shows. The production is low-budget, the songs are generic, and the vocals are weak. The album failed to chart and was largely ignored by the public and the critics. The only redeeming quality of this album is the song “The Tin Man”, which Kenny later re-recorded for his third album.

17. Be As You Are (Songs From an Old Blue Chair) (2005)

This is Kenny’s first concept album, and it is a mixed bag. The album is inspired by Kenny’s trips to the Caribbean, and it features songs that are more laid-back and acoustic. Some of the songs are relaxing and soothing, such as “Old Blue Chair” and “Island Boy”. But some of the songs are dull and repetitive, such as “Guitars and Tiki Bars” and “Key Lime Pie”. The album is not bad, but it is not very memorable either.

16. All I Need To Know (1995)

All I Need to Know is the second studio album from Kenny Chesney. It was released as his first album for BNA Records after leaving Capricorn Records in 1994. It features the singles “Fall in Love”, the title track, and “Grandpa Told Me So”; these songs peaked at number six, number eight, and number 23, respectively, on the Billboard country charts in 1995. This is the first album that Kenny Chesney signed contracts with BNA Records in 1995, and remained in use until his last studio album, 2010’s “Hemingway’s Whiskey”

15. Life On A Rock (2013)

This is Kenny’s second concept album, similar to Be as You Are. The album is also inspired by Kenny’s trips to the Caribbean, and it features songs that are more personal and introspective. Some of the songs are touching and heartfelt, such as “Happy on the Hey Now” and “Lindy”. But some of the songs are bland and forgettable, such as “Coconut Tree” and “Must Be Something I Missed”. Our favorite track on the album is the single, “Pirate Flag”. The album is not bad, but it is not very impressive either.

14. Everywhere We Go (1999)

This is Kenny’s fifth album, and it is a decent one. The album has some of his biggest hits, such as “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “How Forever Feels”. The album also has some of his best ballads, such as “You Had Me from Hello” and “What I Need to Do”. But the album also has some filler tracks, such as “Life Is Good” and “California”. The album is good, but it is not very consistent.

13. Me and You (1996)

Me and You is the third studio album from Kenny Chesney. It was released in 1996 via BNA Records. Although its lead-off single “Back in My Arms Again” failed to make Top 40, the album’s title track and “When I Close My Eyes” both reached number two on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts in 1996. The title track was reprised from Chesney’s previous album, All I Need to Know. “Back Where I Come From” is a cover of Mac McAnally’s 1990 single from his album Simple Life, while “When I Close My Eyes” had been recorded by Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart on his 1993 debut album Down the Road, and by Keith Palmer before that. “It’s Never Easy to Say Goodbye” had been recorded by singer Wynonna Judd on her eponymous debut album. “Back in My Arms Again” was previously recorded by its co-writer, Lee Roy Parnell, on his 1992 album Love Without Mercy. The album is the first in Chesney’s career where he did not write or co-write any of the tracks.

12. I Will Stand (1997)

I Will Stand is the fourth studio album from Kenny Chesney. It was released on July 15, 1997, on BNA Records. “She’s Got It All” was the album’s first single, as well as Chesney’s first number 1 single on the Billboard country music charts. “A Chance”, “That’s Why I’m Here” and “I Will Stand” were all released as singles as well, peaking on the country charts at number 11, number 2, and number 27, respectively. Also included is an acoustic rendition of Chesney’s 1996 single “When I Close My Eyes”. I Will Stand became Chesney’s first certified Gold album. It was his last album to have a neotraditional country sound before he developed a more crossover-friendly country-pop sound. The track “Lonely, Needin’ Lovin'” was previously recorded and released by Woody Lee on his 1995 Atlantic album, Get Over It.

11. Songs for The Saints (2018)

Songs for The Saints is dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Irma, which devastated the Caribbean islands where Kenny has a home. The album features songs that are more reflective and hopeful, such as “Songs for the Saints” and “Better Boat”. The album also features some guest appearances by Ziggy Marley, Mindy Smith, and Jimmy Buffett. But the album also has some filler tracks, such as “Every Heart” and “Island Rain”. The album is good, but it is not very exciting.

10. Cosmic Hallelujah (2016)

This is Kenny’s 17th album, and it is a good one. The album features songs that are more upbeat and energetic, such as “Noise” and “Bar at the End of the World”. The album also features some collaborations with Pink, Taylor Swift, and David Lee Murphy. But the album also has some bland tracks, such as “Some Town Somewhere” and “Rich and Miserable”. The album is good, but it is not very memorable.

09. Welcome To The Fishbowl (2012)

Welcome To The Fishbowl is Kenny’s 14th studio album and features songs that are more mature and thoughtful, such as “Come Over” and “El Cerrito Place”. The album also includes a live version of “You and Tequila” with Grace Potter. But the album also has some weak tracks, such as “Feel Like a Rock Star” and “Sing ‘Em Good My Friend”. The album is good, but it is not very consistent.

08. The Big Revival (2014)

This is Kenny’s 16th album and features songs that are more fun and catchy, such as “American Kids”, “Save It for a Rainy Day”, and “Til It’s Gone”. The album’s title track was previously recorded by John Anderson on his 2001 album Nobody’s Got It All, and later by Montgomery Gentry on their 2008 album Back When I Knew It All.

07. Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates (2007)

Kenny’s 11th album features songs that are more diverse and varied, such as “Don’t Blink” and “Shiftwork”. The album also features some collaborations with George Strait and Joe Walsh But the album also has some mediocre tracks, such as “Just Not Today” and “Demons”. This is Chesney’s second album where he was not a writer or co-writer on any of the tracks.

06. Lucky Old Sun (2008)

Lucky Old Sun features songs that are more relaxed and mellow, such as “Down the Road” and “Way Down Here”. The album also features some collaborations with Dave Matthews, Mac McAnally, Willie Nelson, and The Wailers. But the album also has some boring tracks, such as “Spirit of a Storm” and “Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be”.

05. Hemingway’s Whiskey (2010)

Kenny’s 13th studio album features songs that are more sophisticated and elegant, such as “You and Tequila” and “Somewhere with You”. This album received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling approximately 183,000 copies during its first week. It has also been certified platinum by the RIAA. The album produced five singles on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 2010 and 2011. Four of those singles “The Boys of Fall”, “Somewhere with You”, “Live a Little”, and “Reality” all reached number one, while “You and Tequila” went to number three.

04. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem (2002)

This is Kenny’s sixth album and became his first album to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and produced five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 2001 and 2003 with “Young”, “The Good Stuff”, “A Lot of Things Different”, “Big Star”, and the title track. A live performance music video was made for “Live Those Songs”, which charted at number 60 without being released as a single; the song also became a concert tour opener for Chesney for several years. “On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful” was also made into a music video, without being released as a single. “The Good Stuff” was the biggest hit of Chesney’s career at the time, spending only seven weeks at the top of the country charts and also becoming Billboard’s Number One country single of 2002 according to Billboard Year-End. In 2004, the album was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over four million copies in the United States.

03. The Road and The Radio (2005)

This is Kenny’s 10th studio album, and it is a great one. The album features songs that are more rock and roll, such as “Living in Fast Forward” and “Beer in Mexico”. The album also features some of his best road songs, such as “The Road and the Radio” and “Summertime”. But the album also has some filler tracks, such as “In a Small Town” and “Tequila Loves Me”. 

02. When The Sun Goes Down (2004)

Kenny’s 8th studio album features songs that are more tropical and island-inspired, such as “When the Sun Goes Down” and “Anything but Mine”. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 550,000 copies in its first week. The album produced six singles with “There Goes My Life”, the title track, “I Go Back”, “The Woman with You”, “Anything but Mine”, and “Keg in the Closet” all of which charted in the Top 10 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “There Goes My Life”, the title track, and “Anything but Mine” all reached number one, “I Go Back” and “The Woman with You” both peaked at number 2 and “Keg in the Closet” went to number 6. The title track is also Uncle Kracker’s first country chart entry. Also included on this album is the song “Some People Change”, which was later recorded by American country music duo Montgomery Gentry as the title track to their 2006 album of the same name. Their version was released as a single and became a Top 10 hit for them that year.

01. Here and Now (2020)

This is Kenny’s latest album (as of this writing), and it is his best one. The album features songs that are more diverse and varied, such as “Tip of My Tongue” and “Here and Now”. The album also features some of his best work, such as “Knowing You” and “We Do”. But the album also has no weak tracks, every song is a gem. The album is his best, because it showcases his talent and charisma, his ability to write and sing catchy and meaningful songs, and his diverse and versatile style. The album is his best, because it is Kenny Chesney at his finest.