The thing about soft rock is that it was never an exclusive genre. Cross-pollinating among pop, rock, country rock and, especially, adult contemporary music of the day, the best soft rock records spread their roots widely across genre lines and years.

These three country songs, written by Chris Stapleton for other artists, show off his soft side as a songwriter.

MICHEL MARTIN, BYLINE: Love songs are so important. Think about all the songs that have been the soundtrack to your relationships. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "I HONESTLY LOVE YOU") OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: (Singing) I love you. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CAN'T HELP FALLING ...