Lady Antebellum knew "Need You Now" could be a big hit when they first recorded it, but it wasn't due to their own confidence in the song. Song No. 13 on this Top Country Songs of the Century list was actually a late addition to the Need You Now album. Hillary Scott says it almost didn't make it!

“It was literally … the last song," the singer recalls. "Like Charles randomly was like, ‘Oh wait, let me play you this work tape. It’s probably crap but let me play it for you.’”

The trio's record label were the ones who quickly realized the power of the aching late-night love song. During meetings to discuss the album, they played "Need You Now" over and over again.

“They’re hearing music by a huge roster of artists every single day. For it to have made them to have that response and wanna hear it two more times, that was very telling," Scott adds.

Once released, the song moved up the charts very quickly and received unsolicited airplay on non-country radio stations. It ended up being a meteoric rise to No. 1, and then came the awards and accolades. Nearly seven million people have downloaded this song, making it one of the biggest commercial hits of all time.

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.

Hillary Scott Tells the Story of "Need You Now"

More From 98.1 KHAK