Whether you call this country music or not (some tracks are, some aren't), it's impact is undeniable. Pop country became fashionable. Traditional country did briefly fight back via the Judds, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Randy Travis and others, but then came Garth Brooks - and you can see the roots of his music in this soundtrack.
Of the first four tracks, three are uptempo rockers and the fourth is a rock ballad. After that, the songs have a definite country flavor. The only two that I would call real country are (surprisingly) the two Bonnie Raitt tracks. I love Bonnie's music, but I've never heard anything like these tracks on her own albums - and neither of them has yet appeared on a Bonnie compilation. Bonnie fans who like country music should buy this just for Darlin' and Don't it make you wanna dance.
Nearly all the songs were recorded especially for the soundtrack. Two obvious exceptions are Lyin' eyes and Devil went down to Georgia, but they are great songs and fit here well. Could I have this dance? is one of my favorite Anne Murray songs. It was not released on any of her original albums, but has appeared on some of her compilations. Love the world away is one of Kenny Rogers' best songs. I could go on .... I've never seen the movie, but this is a great soundtrack.