Can you imagine a world without Dan + Shay in it? We shudder to even think about it.
The duo has made a major impact on country music and it’s why we’ve included them on our list of the most important modern artists in the format.
Dan + Shay Almost Called It Quits
While Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney are full-steam ahead in 2026, there was a time when they seriously questioned whether or not they would continue to make music.
In a raw and vulnerable video shared on social media in 2023, the two revealed they had a come-to-Jesus conversation a year prior that changed everything for them. To fully understand that conversation, you have to understand the tipping point where they found themselves at that moment.
It was in 2021, and the band mates ere feeling completely deflated.
“I was in, like, the lowest low of my entire life,” Smyers remembers. “Came off the road and I was like, ‘Man, I f–king hate music. I’m ready to quit.”
Mooney admitted that he was also in a dark place at that time and it was affecting everything, including his marriage.
Dan + Shay Came Back to Music with Fresh Vision
After four months of not speaking, the two agreed to talk it out and be honest with one another no matter what the outcome might be. Luckily for fans, the answer they arrived at was to stick together, but this time do things their way.
Since then the two released an album called Bigger Houses in addition to a Christmas album. They also did a stint on The Voice as the first-ever duo coaches.
In 2026, Dan + Shay will be putting out a project that they say will be their most personal one yet. Younger will drop Aug. 21 with a tour of the same name to follow in October.
Dan + Shay Are Holding It Down as One of Country Music’s Few Duos
What makes Dan + Shay so appealing – aside from their killer songwriting and pitch-perfect harmonies – is that they have held their own in country music as one of the format’s few duos. The genre is dominated by solo artists and yet, these two still find ways to cut through.
Here are Dan + Shay’s top 10 songs that prove they are one of the most important modern acts in country music.
Criteria: This list of the 25 Most Important Modern Country Artists was curated by Taste of Country staff, who considered hard data (charts, streaming numbers, ticket sales etc …), perceived influence, awards and recognition and (most important) recent releases. We zoomed in on who is shaping country music with popular releases today.
Artists who’ve not released an album or notched a hit song on airplay or streaming charts in the last three years need to show their influence in other ways. An example is Carrie Underwood, who’s not released a new album in four years but is the most influential voice on America’s most popular singing reality show.
No: 25 Riley Green’s Top Songs | No. 24 Kelsea Ballerini’s Top Songs | No. 23 Tim McGraw’s Top Songs | No. 22 Blake Shelton’s Top Songs | No. 21 Eric Church’s Top Songs | No. 20 Jason Isbell’s Top Songs | No. 19 Kenny Chesney’s Top Songs | No. 18 Keith Urban’s Top Songs | No. 17 June 21 | No. 16 June 22 | No. 15 June 23 | No. 14 June 24 | No. 13 June 25 | No. 12 June 26 | No. 11 June 27 | No. 10 June 28 | No. 9 June 29 | No. 8 June 30 | No. 7 July 1 | No. 6 July 2 | No. 5 July 3 | No. 4 July 4 | No. 3 July 5 | No. 2 July 6 | No. 1 July 7
Top 10 Dan + Shay Songs That Make Them One of Country Music’s Most Important Modern Artists
Dan + Shay have solidified themselves as real contributors in the world of country music. While they have certainly made an impact as one of the few duos in the genre, their music has made major waves in a format that is dominated by solo artists.
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney had made our list of the most important modern country artists and these are the songs the prove it.
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
