Contemporary Country (Time-Life Music)
Encyclopedia
Contemporary Country was a 22-volume series issued by Time-Life
during the early 1990s, spotlighting country music
of the 1970s through early 1990s.
Each volume in the series chronicled a specific time period – the early-1970s, the mid-1970s, the late-1970s, the early-1980s, the mid-1980s, the late-1980s and the early-1990s. Each volume was issued on a compact disc
or cassette. Individual volumes contained 22 tracks, and represented the highlighted time period's most popular and noteworthy tracks. Also included was a booklet, containing liner notes written by some of the most respected historians of the genre, photographs of the artists, and information on the songs (writers, performers and peak position on Billboard magazines country charts).
All told, the entire series contains 482 tracks.
series; the earlier series covered country music from the 1950s through early 1970s. This series continued Time-Life's attempt at chronicling country music's post-1950 history.
During its peak, the "Contemporary Country" series was advertised in television and magazine advertisements
. The series was available by subscription (by calling a 1-800 number
); those who purchased the series in that fashion received a new volume roughly every other month (on the format of their choice), and had the option of keeping the volumes they wanted. Each volume was also offered for individual sale.
New volumes continued to be issued through 1993, the final one being a volume covering country music from the early 1990s. Another volume – "The Mid-1990s," with 20 tracks from 1991-1998 – was released as part of the series in 1999, six years after the last disc was issued.
Time-Life continued to offer "Contemporary Country" through the early 2000s. The series has essentially been replaced four series:
Time-Life
Time–Life is a creator and direct marketer of books, music, video/DVD, and multimedia products. Its products are sold throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia through television, print, retail, the Internet, telemarketing, and direct sales....
during the early 1990s, spotlighting country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
of the 1970s through early 1990s.
Each volume in the series chronicled a specific time period – the early-1970s, the mid-1970s, the late-1970s, the early-1980s, the mid-1980s, the late-1980s and the early-1990s. Each volume was issued on a compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
or cassette. Individual volumes contained 22 tracks, and represented the highlighted time period's most popular and noteworthy tracks. Also included was a booklet, containing liner notes written by some of the most respected historians of the genre, photographs of the artists, and information on the songs (writers, performers and peak position on Billboard magazines country charts).
All told, the entire series contains 482 tracks.
History
"Contemporary Country" was first issued during the summer of 1991, and essentially picked up where Time-Life Music left off with its Country USACountry USA (Time-Life Music)
Country USA was a 23-volume series issued by Time-Life Music during the late 1980s and early 1990s, spotlighting country music of the 1950s through early 1970s....
series; the earlier series covered country music from the 1950s through early 1970s. This series continued Time-Life's attempt at chronicling country music's post-1950 history.
During its peak, the "Contemporary Country" series was advertised in television and magazine advertisements
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
. The series was available by subscription (by calling a 1-800 number
Toll-free telephone number
A toll-free, Freecall, Freephone, 800, 0800 or 1-800 number is a special telephone number which is free to the calling party, and instead the telephone carrier charges the called party the cost of the call...
); those who purchased the series in that fashion received a new volume roughly every other month (on the format of their choice), and had the option of keeping the volumes they wanted. Each volume was also offered for individual sale.
New volumes continued to be issued through 1993, the final one being a volume covering country music from the early 1990s. Another volume – "The Mid-1990s," with 20 tracks from 1991-1998 – was released as part of the series in 1999, six years after the last disc was issued.
Time-Life continued to offer "Contemporary Country" through the early 2000s. The series has essentially been replaced four series:
- "Classic Country," a series cataloging the music from the 1940s through mid-1980s (with some additional volumes containing post-1984 music).
- "Country Gold," covering the 1980s through mid-1990s. Three volumes of "Contemporary Country" have been repackaged as part of this series. Also part of this series is "Country's Got Heart," providing post-1990 country music highlights.
- "Superstars of Country," containing highlights from the mid-1960s through mid-1980s.
- "Lifetime of Country Romance," similar to "Superstars of Country" but focusing on moreso on ballads and love-themed songs.
The series
As with many of Time-Life Records' multi-volume releases, the volumes were not issued in a logical, sequential order by date or era of the subject; that is, issuing volumes covering the early 1970s before progressing to the mid-1970s. In the track information section, the volumes will be listed sequentially by era; the following list is the order in which the volumes were released.1991
- Contemporary Country: The Mid ‘80s
- Contemporary Country: The Late ‘70s
- Contemporary Country: The Early ‘80s
- Contemporary Country: The Mid ‘70s
- Contemporary Country: The Late ‘80s
1992
- Contemporary Country: The Early ‘70s
- Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Mid '70s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Early '80s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Late '70s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Late '80s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Early '70s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s Hot Hits
1993
- Contemporary Country: The Late '70s Hot Hits
- Contemporary Country: The Early '80s Hot Hits
- Contemporary Country: The Mid '70s Hot Hits
- Contemporary Country: The Late '80s Hot Hits
- Contemporary Country: The Early '70s Hot Hits
- Contemporary Country: The '70s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The '80s Pure Gold
- Contemporary Country: The Early '90s
1999
- Contemporary Country: The Mid '90s
Contemporary Country: The '70s Pure Gold
- "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" – Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
- "It's Been a Great Afternoon" – Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
- "If I Could Only Win Your Love" – Emmylou HarrisEmmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
- "All Of Me" – Willie NelsonWillie NelsonWillie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
- "Room Full of RosesRoom Full of Roses"Room Full of Roses", written by Tim Spencer, is a song first recorded in 1949 by country music singer George Morgan, and famously covered in 1974 by up-and-coming singer Mickey Gilley...
" – Mickey GilleyMickey GilleyMickey Leroy Gilley is an American country music singer and musician. Although he started out singing straight-up country and western material in the 1970s, he moved towards a more pop-friendly sound in the 1980s, bringing him further success on not just the country charts, but the pop charts as... - "Among My Souvenirs" – Marty RobbinsMarty RobbinsMartin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
- "You're the One" – Oak Ridge Boys
- "Rated 'X'" – Loretta LynnLoretta LynnLoretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
- "Don't Be Angry" – Donna FargoDonna FargoDonna Fargo is an American country music singer-songwriter, who is best-known for a series of Top 10 country hits in the 1970s...
- "I May Never Get To Heaven" – Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
- "A Picture Of Me (Without You)" – George JonesGeorge JonesGeorge Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
- "Ruby (Are You Mad)" – Buck OwensBuck OwensAlvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
- "Baby Boy" – Mary Kay PlaceMary Kay PlaceMary Kay Place is an American actress, singer, director and screen writer. She is best known as portraying Loretta Haggers on the television series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, a role which won her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series in 1977...
(as Loretta HaggersMary Hartman, Mary HartmanMary Hartman, Mary Hartman is an American soap opera parody that aired in daily syndication from January 1976 to May 1977. The series was produced by Norman Lear, directed by Joan Darling and starred Louise Lasser...
) - "Rednecks, White Socks And Blue Ribbon Beer" - Johnny RussellJohnny RussellJohn Bright "Johnny" Russell was an American country singer, songwriter, and comedian best-known for his song "Act Naturally", which was made famous by Buck Owens, who recorded it in 1963, and The Beatles in 1965...
- "SometimesSometimes (Bill Anderson song)"Sometimes" is a 1975 song written by Bill Anderson, and performed by Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner. "Sometimes" went to number one on the country charts, where it stayed for a single week and spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart....
" – Bill Anderson and Mary Lou TurnerMary Lou TurnerMary Lou Turner is an American country music artist. Between 1976 and 1977, she recorded two duet albums with Bill Anderson, and charted four duets with him. One of their duets, "Sometimes", reached #1 in 1976... - "Feelin's" – Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
and Loretta LynnLoretta LynnLoretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he... - "Before My Time" – John ConleeJohn ConleeJohn Conlee is an American country music singer. Between 1978 and 2004, Conlee charted a total of thirty-two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and recorded eleven studio albums...
- "I'll Go To My Grave Loving You" – Statler BrothersStatler BrothersThe Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia.Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen...
- "Me and Bobby McGee" – Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
- "Say It Again" – Don WilliamsDon WilliamsDon Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
- "Broken Down in Tiny PiecesBroken Down in Tiny Pieces"Broken Down in Tiny Pieces" is a song written by John Adrian. It was recorded by country singer Billy "Crash" Craddock, whom had a number one country hit with it in 1977. "Broken Down in Tiny Pieces" would stay at number one for one week and spend twelve weeks within the top 40. Janie Fricke...
" – Billy "Crash" Craddock - "Secret Love" – Freddy FenderFreddy FenderFreddy Fender , born Baldemar Garza Huerta in San Benito, Texas, United States, was a Mexican-American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados...
Contemporary Country: The Early '70s
- "The Fightin' Side of MeThe Fightin' Side of Me"The Fightin' Side of Me" is an American country music song performed by its writer, Merle Haggard. Released in 1970 as the follow-up to "Okie from Muskogee", the song became one of the most famous of his career....
" – Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,... - "Coal Miner's Daughter" – Loretta LynnLoretta LynnLoretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
- 1970 - "Easy Loving" – Freddie HartFreddie Hart (musician)Frederick Segrest , known professionally as Freddie Hart, is an American country musician and songwriter best-known for his No. 1 hit "Easy Loving," which won the Country Music Association Song of the Year award in 1971 and 1972....
- 1971 - "Woman (Sensuous Woman)" – Don GibsonDon GibsonDonald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was...
- "Hello Darlin'Hello Darlin' (song)"Hello Darlin'" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist, Conway Twitty. The song was originally released in March 1970 and became Twitty's fourth No. 1 song on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart that summer. The song spent four weeks atop the...
" – Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
- 1970 - "Would You Take Another Chance On Me" – Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
- "He Loves Me All The Way" – Tammy WynetteTammy WynetteVirginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
- "Loving You Could Never Be Better" – George JonesGeorge JonesGeorge Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
- "Empty Arms" – Sonny JamesSonny JamesJames Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1...
- "Help Me Make It Through The Night" – Sammi SmithSammi SmithSammi Smith was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born Jewel Faye Smith, she is best known for her 1971 country/pop crossover hit, "Help Me Make It Through the Night", which was written by Kris Kristofferson...
- 1971 - "For The Good Times" – Ray PriceRay Price (musician)Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music...
- 1970 - "Joshua" – Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
- "Kiss an Angel Good MorningKiss an Angel Good Morning"Kiss an Angel Good Mornin" is the title of a song written by Ben Peters and recorded by Charley Pride. The song has since become one of his signature tunes and became his eighth song to reach number one on the country charts...
" – Charley PrideCharley PrideCharley Frank Pride is an American country music singer. His smooth baritone voice was featured on thirty-nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His greatest success came in the early- to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis... - "The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA" – Donna FargoDonna FargoDonna Fargo is an American country music singer-songwriter, who is best-known for a series of Top 10 country hits in the 1970s...
- "Made In Japan" – Buck OwensBuck OwensAlvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
- "Behind Closed Doors" – Charlie RichCharlie RichCharles Rich was an American country music singer and musician. A Grammy Award winner, his eclectic-style of music was often hard to classify in a single genre, playing in the rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel genres.In the latter part of his life, Rich acquired the nickname The Silver...
- 1973 - "When You're Hot You're Hot" – Jerry ReedJerry ReedJerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
- "Rose Garden" – Lynn AndersonLynn AndersonLynn Rene Anderson is an American country music singer and equestrian known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, most notably her Grammy Award-winning, worldwide mega-hit, " Rose Garden." Helped by her regular exposure on national television, Anderson was one of the most...
- 1970 - "Lead Me On" – Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
and Loretta LynnLoretta LynnLoretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he... - "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" – Tom T. HallTom T. HallThomas "Tom T." Hall is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has written 11 #1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the pop crossover hit "I Love", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100...
- "Why MeWhy Me (Kris Kristofferson song)"Why Me" is an American country and gospel song written and recorded by Kris Kristofferson.-Song history:Kristofferson had become the toast of Nashville in the early 1970s, with the massive success of compositions including "For the Good Times," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Sunday Morning Coming Down,"...
" – Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"... - "Sunday Morning Coming Down" – Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
Contemporary Country: The Early '70s Pure Gold
- "You're Lookin' At CountryYou're Lookin' at Country"You're Lookin' at Country" is a country music song written and made famous by Loretta Lynn in mid 1971.-About the song:Lynn wrote "You're Lookin' At Country" in response to viewing the open country while touring on the road. Lynn said in an interview that she was inspired by all the meadows and...
" – Loretta Lynn - "I Ain't Never" – Mel Tillis
- "How I Got To Memphis" – Bobby Bare
- "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)" – Merle Haggard
- "How Much More Can She Stand" – Conway Twitty
- "Lovin' On Back Streets" – Mel Street
- "She's All I Got" – Johnny Paycheck
- "After The Fire Is Gone" – Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
- "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" – Cal Smith
- "A Good Year For The Roses" – George Jones
- "My Hang-Up Is You" – Freddie HartFreddie Hart (musician)Frederick Segrest , known professionally as Freddie Hart, is an American country musician and songwriter best-known for his No. 1 hit "Easy Loving," which won the Country Music Association Song of the Year award in 1971 and 1972....
- "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms" – Buck Owens
- "Coat Of Many Colors" – Dolly Parton
- "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone" – Charley Pride
- "Soul Song" – Joe Stampley
- "Flesh And Blood" – Johnny Cash
- "Think About It Darlin'" – Jerry Lee Lewis
- "What's Your Mama's Name" – Tanya Tucker - 1973
- "Ridin' My Thunb To Mexico" – Johnny RodriguezJohnny RodriguezJohnny Rodriguez is an American country music singer. He was the first famous Latin American country music singer, infusing his music with Latin sounds, and even singing verses of songs in Spanish....
- "'Til I Get It Right" – Tammy Wynette
- "It's Four in the MorningIt's Four in the Morning"It's Four in the Morning" is a song made famous by the country music singer, Faron Young. Originally released in 1971, the song became his first No...
" – Faron Young - "I Won't Mention It Again" – Ray Price
Contemporary Country: Early '70s Hot Hits
- "Mr. Lovemaker" – Johnny Paycheck
- "We're Gonna Hold On" – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
- "Borrowed Angel" – Mel Street
- "Good Hearted Woman" – Waylon Jennings
- "Man in Black" – Johnny Cash
- "I'm Just Me" – Charley Pride
- "One's On The Way" – Loretta Lynn
- "Do You Remember These" – Statler Brothers
- "You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me)" – Johnny Rodriguez
- "Fifteen Years Ago" – Conway Twitty
- "Once More With Feeling" – Jerry Lee Lewis
- "I'm a TruckI'm a Truck"I'm a Truck" is a song made famous by country music singer Red Simpson. Originally released in 1971, the song — sometimes known as "Hello, I'm a Truck" — became Simpson's biggest hit single, reaching No...
" – Red Simpson - "Big In Vegas" – Buck Owens
- "The Pool Shark" – Dave Dudley
- "We Can Make It" – George Jones
- "It's Just a Matter Of Time" – Sonny James
- "Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man" – Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton
- "Come Sundown" – Bobby Bare
- "Just One Time" – Connie Smith
- "Got The All Overs For You (All Over Me)" – Freddie HartFreddie Hart (musician)Frederick Segrest , known professionally as Freddie Hart, is an American country musician and songwriter best-known for his No. 1 hit "Easy Loving," which won the Country Music Association Song of the Year award in 1971 and 1972....
- "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" – Jerry Wallace
- "Eleven Roses" – Hank Williams, Jr.
Contemporary Country: The Mid '70s
- "The Grand TourThe Grand Tour (song)"The Grand Tour" is a song made famous by country music singer George Jones. Originally released in 1974, the song was the title track to his album released that year.The song became Jones' sixth No...
" – George Jones - "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)" – Gary Stewart
- "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" – Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
- "You're My Best FriendYou're My Best Friend (Don Williams song)"You're My Best Friend" is an American country song written by Wayland Holyfield, and most famously recorded by Don Williams.A ballad expressing unwavering faithfulness and loyalty to a spouse or other soulmate, the song became Williams' second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart...
" – Don Williams - "Together Again" – Emmylou Harris
- "Before The Next Teardrop FallsBefore the Next Teardrop Falls (song)"Before the Next Teardrop Falls" is an American country and pop song written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters, and most famously recorded by Freddy Fender.-Song history:...
" – Freddy Fender - 1975 - "Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time" – Mickey Gilley
- "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" - B.J. Thomas
- "Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone)" – Tanya Tucker
- "Blue Eyes Crying in the RainBlue Eyes Crying in the Rain"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" is a song written by songwriter Fred Rose. Originally performed by Roy Acuff, the song was later recorded by Willie Nelson as part of his 1975 album Red Headed Stranger. Both the song and album would become iconic in country music history, and jump start Nelson's...
" – Willie Nelson - 1975 - "El Paso City" – Marty Robbins
- "Rhinestone Cowboy" – Glen Campbell - 1975
- "The Most Beautiful Girl" – Charlie Rich - 1973
- "You've Never Been This Far Before" – Conway Twitty
- "Jolene" – Dolly Parton - 1974
- "If We Make It Through December" – Merle Haggard - 1973
- "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" – Waylon Jennings
- "Satin Sheets" – Jeanne Pruett
- "I Love" – Tom T. Hall
- "I'm Not Lisa" – Jessi Colter
- "Till The Rivers All Run Dry" – Don Williams
- "Reconsider Me" – Narvel Felts
Contemporary Country: The Mid '70s Pure Gold
- "I Can Help" – Billy Swan - 1974
- "All These Things" – Joe Stampley
- "Love Is Like A Butterfly" – Dolly Parton
- "(Turn Out The Light And) Love Me Tonight" – Don Williams
- "The Door" – George Jones
- "Wasted Days and Wasted NightsWasted Days and Wasted Nights"Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" is an American country and pop song recorded by Freddy Fender. It is considered by many to belong to the swamp pop idiom of south Louisiana and southeast Texas that had such a major musical impact on Fender.-Song history:...
" – Freddy Fender - 1975 - "Hank Williams You Wrote My Life" – Moe Bandy
- "Drinkin' Thing" – Gary Stewart
- "I Never Go Around Mirrors" – Lefty Frizzell
- "Country Bumpkin" – Cal Smith
- "Sweet Dreams" – Emmylou Harris
- "Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet)" – Tom T. Hall
- "Love Is The Foundation" – Loretta Lynn
- "(I'm A) Stand By My Woman Man" – Ronnie Milsap
- "'Til I Can Make It On My Own" – Tammy Wynette
- "I See The Want To In Your Eyes" – Conway Twitty
- "Just Get Up And Close The Door" – Johnny Rodriguez
- "A Very Special Love Song" – Charlie Rich
- "San Antonio Stroll" – Tanya Tucker
- "If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time" – Willie Nelson
- "One Piece At A Time" – Johnny Cash
- "Convoy" – C.W. McCall
Contemporary Country: The Mid '70s Hot Hits
- "As Soon as I Hang Up the PhoneAs Soon as I Hang Up the Phone"As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" is a 1974 single by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn from the album Country Partners. It was the fourth number one on the U.S. country singles chart for the pair as a duo...
" – Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn - "Out of a Hand" – Gary Stewart
- "I'm a Ramblin' Man" – Waylon Jennings
- "Stranger" – Johnny Duncan
- "Once You've Had The Best" – George Jones
- "Devil In The Bottle" – T.G. Sheppard
- "Blood Red And Goin' Down" – Tanya Tucker
- "It's Time To Pay The Fiddler – Cal Smith
- "The Bargain Store" – Dolly Parton
- "Love In The Hot Afternoon" – Gene Watson
- "Somebody Somewhere (Don't Know What He's Missin' Tonight)" – Loretta Lynn
- "Rub It InRub It In"Rub It In" is a song written and originally recorded by Layng Martine, Jr., and credited as Layng Martine. His version, released on the Barnaby Records label, was produced by Ray Stevens and was a chart single in 1971. Billy "Crash" Craddock covered the song in 1974, on the album Rub It In, taking...
" – Billy "Crash" Craddock - 1974 - "Daydreams About Night Things" – Ronnie Milsap
- "After All The Good Is Gone" – Conway Twitty
- "Golden Ring" – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
- "I Wouldn't Want To Live If You Didn't Love Me" – Don Williams
- "9,999,999 Tears" – Dickey Lee
- "You'll Lose A Good Thing" – Freddy Fender
- "Country Sunshine" – Dottie West
- "Blanket on the GroundBlanket on the Ground"Blanket on the Ground" is a song made famous by country music singer Billie Jo Spears. Originally released in 1975, the song became her first and only song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart...
" – Billie Jo Spears - "I Just Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind" – Johnny Rodriguez
- "Teddy Bear" – Red Sovine
Contemporary Country: The Late '70s
- "Family Tradition" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1979
- "Heaven's Just A Sin Away" – The Kendalls - 1977
- "It's A Cheating Situation" – Moe Bandy
- "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" – Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
- "It Was Almost Like a SongIt Was Almost Like a Song"It Was Almost Like a Song" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Released originally during 1977 by him, the song became one of the greatest successes of his recording career....
" – Ronnie Milsap - "Ramblin' Fever" – Merle Haggard
- "Here You Come Again" – Dolly Parton - 1978
- "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against MeIf I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me"If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me" is a song made famous by the country music duo The Bellamy Brothers. Written by David Bellamy, the song was released in 1979 and became their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart that spring.Overall,...
" – Bellamy Brothers - 1979 - "Near You" – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
- "Happy Birthday Darlin'" – Conway Twitty - 1979
- "Blue Skies" – Willie Nelson
- "Two More Bottles Of Wine" – Emmylou Harris
- "Take This Job And Shove It" – Johnny Paycheck - 1978
- "Rose Colored Glasses" – John Conlee
- "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" – Crystal Gayle - 1977
- "Moody Blue" – Elvis Presley
- "Tulsa Time" – Don Williams - 1979
- "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"Luckenbach, Texas " is a popular song sung by Waylon Jennings released in April 1977, at the height of outlaw country on the hit album Ol' Waylon...
" – Waylon Jennings - "Southern Nights" – Glen Campbell - 1977
- "Bartender's Blues" – George Jones (feat. James Taylor)
- "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed - Barbara Mandrell
- "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" – Charlie Daniels Band - 1979
Contemporary Country: The Late '70s Pure Gold
- "Just Good Ol' Boys" – Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley
- "Whisky Bent And Hell Bound" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1979
- "I'm Always On a Mountain When I Fall" – Merle Haggard
- "Don't Take It Away" – Conway Twitty - 1979
- "Talking In Your Sleep" – Crystal Gayle - 1978
- "She Can Put Her Shoes Under My Bed (Anytime)" – Johnny Duncan
- "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" – Dolly Parton
- "Last Cheater's Waltz" – T.G. Sheppard
- "She's Got You" – Loretta Lynn
- "Amanda" – Waylon Jennings - 1979
- "Middle Age Crazy" – Jerry Lee Lewis
- "It Must Be Love" – Don Williams
- "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine" – Statler Brothers
- "Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For" – Crystal Gayle
- "Y'All Come Back Saloon" – Oak Ridge Boys
- "Farewell Party" – Gene Watson - 1979
- "Georgia On My Mind" – Willie Nelson
- "Blue Bayou" – Linda Ronstadt - 1977
- "Rollin' With The Flow" – Charlie Rich
- "Backside Of Thirty" – John Conlee
- "You Needed Me" – Anne Murray
- "Only One Love In My Life" – Ronnie Milsap
Contemporary Country: The Late '70s Hot Hits
- "Out Of My Head And Back In My Bed" – Loretta Lynn
- "I've Always Been Crazy" – Waylon Jennings
- "I've Already Loved You In My Mind" – Conway Twitty
- "Back On My Mind Again" – Ronnie Milsap
- "Way Down" – Elvis Presley
- "I'm The Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised)" – Johnny Paycheck
- "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" – Johnny Duncan
- "I'm Just A Country Boy" – Don Williams
- "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang" – Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings
- "Paper Rosie" – Gene Watson
- "Someone Loves You Honey" – Charley Pride
- "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand" – Waylon Jennings
- "If We're Not Back In Love By Monday" – Merle Haggard
- "I Cheated Me Right Out Of You" – Moe Bandy
- "Sweet Desire" – The Kendalls
- "On My Knees" – Charlie Rich (with Janie Fricke)
- "Heartbreaker" – Dolly Parton
- "Golden Tears" – Dave and Sugar
- "Lady Lay Down" – John Conlee
- "The Rains Came" – Freddy Fender
- "Nobody Likes Sad Songs" – Ronnie Milsap
- "Where Do I Put Her Memory" – Charley Pride
Contemporary Country: The '80s Pure Gold
- "Am I Blue" – George Strait - 1987
- "Hey Bartender" – Johnny Lee
- "(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes – Highway 101 - 1987
- "I'll Come Back As Another Woman" - Tanya Tucker - 1986
- "She Can't Say That Anymore" – John Conlee
- "Still Doin' Time" – George Jones
- "How Blue" – Reba McEntire - 1985
- "I Think I'll Just Say Here And Drink" – Merle Haggard - 1981
- "I've Been Around Enough To Know" – John Schneider
- "Fool For Your Love" – Mickey Gilley
- "Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" – Willie Nelson
- "Dixieland Delight" – Alabama - 1983
- "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" – Holly Dunn - 1989
- "My Baby's Got Good TimingMy Baby's Got Good Timing"My Baby's Got Good Timing" is a single by country music artist Dan Seals. It is the second single released from his 1984 album San Antone. It peaked at #2, thus becoming his first top 5 hit.-Chart positions:...
" – Dan Seals - "Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You" – O'Kanes - 1987
- "No Place Like Home" – Randy Travis
- "Chiseled In Stone" – Vern Gosdin
- "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without" – Gene Watson
- "Black Sheep" – John Anderson - 1982
- "Crazy Over You" – Foster & Lloyd - 1987
- "But You Know I Love You" – Dolly Parton
- "Beneath Still Waters" – Emmylou Harris
Contemporary Country: The Early '80s
- "Somewhere Between Right And Wrong" – Earl Thomas Conley
- "Wild And Blue" – John Anderson - 1982
- "Seven Year Ache" – Rosanne Cash - 1981
- "You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation" – Ronnie McDowell
- "Love In The First Degree" – Alabama - 1981
- "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer To You)" – Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers - 1983
- "Slow Hand" – Conway Twitty - 1982
- "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me(There's) No Gettin' Over Me" No Gettin' Over Me" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Known by many fans by its less grammatically correct title "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me" — the song's official title appears nowhere in the lyrics — the song became one of Milsap's biggest country and pop hits...
" – Ronnie Milsap - 1981 - "Crying My Heart Out Over You" – Ricky Skaggs
- "I Will Always Love You" – Dolly Parton - 1982
- "A Country Boy Can Survive" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1982
- "Big CityBig City (song)"Big City" is a song made famous by country music singer Merle Haggard. Co-written by Haggard and Dean Holloway, the song was released in 1982 as the title track to his first album for Epic Records...
" – Merle Haggard - "Lookin' For Love" – Johnny Lee - 1980
- "You're The First Time I've Thought About Leaving" – Reba McEntire - 1983
- "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" – David Frizzell and Shelly West - 1981
- "He Stopped Loving Her Today" – George Jones - 1980
- "I Love A Rainy Night" – Eddie Rabbitt - 1981
- "American Made" - Oak Ridge Boys - 1984
- "Islands In The Stream" – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton - 1983
- "I Believe In You" – Don Williams - 1980
- "Could I Have This Dance" – Anne Murray - 1980
- "On The Road AgainOn the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)"On the Road Again" is a song made famous by country music singer Willie Nelson, and is part of the soundtrack to the 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose....
" – Willie Nelson - 1980
Contemporary Country: The Early '80s Pure Gold
- "I Ain't Living Long Like This" – Waylon Jennings
- "Heartbroke" – Ricky Skaggs
- "Fourteen Carat Mind" – Gene Watson
- "I Always Get Lucky With You" – George Jones
- "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1984
- "Can't Even Get The Blues" – Reba McEntire - 1983
- "Night Games" – Charley Pride
- "My Heart" – Ronnie Milsap
- "Pancho And Lefty" – Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard - 1983
- "The Closer You Get" – Alabama - 1983
- "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" – Barbara Mandrell (with George Jones) - 1981
- "Swingin'Swingin'"Swingin" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer John Anderson. Released in 1983, it was included on his album Wild & Blue. The song was the second of five Number One singles in Anderson's career, spending one week at the top of the Hot Country Songs charts...
" – John Anderson - 1983 - "I'd Love To Lay You Down" – Conway Twitty - 1980
- "Elvira" – Oak Ridge Boys - 1981
- "Somebody's Knockin'" – Teri Gibbs - 1981
- "Good Ole Boys Like Me" – Don Williams
- "Amarillo by MorningAmarillo by Morning (song)"Amarillo by Morning" is a country music song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait.-Content:...
" – George Strait - 1983 - "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" – Willie Nelson
- "I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home" – David Frizzell
- "Thirty-Nine And Holding" – Jerry Lee Lewis
- "Blue Moon With Heartache" – Rosanne Cash
- "My Favorite Memory" – Merle Haggard
Contemporary Country: The Early '80s Hot Hits
- "My Baby Thinks He's A Train" – Rosanne Cash
- "I'm Just An Old Chuck Of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)" – John Anderson
- "Bobbie SueBobbie Sue (song)"Bobbie Sue" is a song made famous by the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. Written by Wood Newton, Dan Tyler and Adele Tyler, the song was released in 1982 as the title track to the group's album. That April, the song became the Oaks' sixth No...
" – Oak Ridge Boys - "Love Is On A Roll" – Don Williams
- "Tennessee Whiskey" – George Jones - 1983
- "Always On My Mind" – Willie Nelson - 1982
- "Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)" – Waylon Jennings - 1980
- "Party Time" – T.G. Sheppard - 1981
- "Pickin' Up Strangers" – Johnny Lee
- "You Win Again" – Charley Pride
- "Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)" – Merle Haggard
- "Mountain Music" – Alabama - 1982
- "Guitar Man" – Elvis Presley - 1981
- "Common Man" – John Conlee
- "Older Women" – Ronnie McDowell
- "Dancin' Cowboys" – Bellamy Brothers
- "9 To 5" – Dolly Parton - 1980
- "Fire And Smoke" – Earl Thomas Conley
- "Two Story House" – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
- "Any Day NowAny Day Now (1962 song)"Any Day Now" is the title of a popular song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard in 1962. The song has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including notable versions by Chuck Jackson in 1962, Alan Price in 1965, Elvis Presley in 1969, and Ronnie Milsap in...
" – Ronnie Milsap - 1982 - "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)" –Juice Newton - 1980
- "She Left Love All Over MeShe Left Love All Over Me"She Left Love All Over Me" is a song made famous by country music singer Razzy Bailey.Issued in December 1981, the blues-tinged song about an emotional love affair just ended slowly but surely broke in popularity. When it reached No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart at the end...
" – Razzy BaileyRazzy BaileyRazzy Bailey is an American country music artist.-Early life:Bailey was raised on a farm in La Fayette, Alabama. Bailey got his first experience of musical performance as a member of his high school's Future Farmers of America string band...
Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s
- "Guitars Cadillacs" – Dwight Yoakam - 1986
- "Guitar Town" – Steve Earle - 1986
- "Mama He's Crazy" – The Judds - 1984
- "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" – George Strait
- "Highwayman" – Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson - 1986
- "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" – Anne Murray and Dave Loggins - 1983
- "I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)" – Vern Gosdin
- "Morning Desire" – Kenny Rogers
- "Too Much On My Heart" – Statler Brothers
- "That's The Way Love Goes" – Merle Haggard
- "Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)Lost in the Fifties Tonight"Lost in The Fifties Tonight ", also known simply as "Lost in The Fiftes Tonight", is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.-Success and Reception:...
" – Ronnie Milsap - 1985 - "Mind Your Own Business" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1986
- "Never Be You" – Rosanne Cash - 1986
- "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" – Mel McDaniel - 1984
- "BopBop (Dan Seals song)"Bop" is the second single released from Dan Seals' 1985 album Won't Be Blue Anymore. It reached #1 on the Country singles chart in early-1986 - his second number one hit, but his first as a solo artist. It was a major crossover hit as well, peaking at #42 on the US Hot 100, and at #10 on the US...
" – Dan Seals - 1986 - "Real Love" – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - 1985
- "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" – Alabama - 1984
- "Modern Day Romance" – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- "On The Other Hand" – Randy Travis - 1986
- "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes" – Forester Sisters
- "Dixie Road" – Lee Greenwood - 1985
- "Country Boy" – Ricky Skaggs - 1985
Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s Pure Gold
- "Diggin' Up Bones" – Randy Travis - 1986
- "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room" – Merle Haggard
- "She Sure Got Away With My Heart" – John Anderson
- "I'll Never Stop Loving You" – Gary Morris
- "Whoever's in New EnglandWhoever's in New England (song)"Whoever's in New England" is the name of a popular single made famous by Reba McEntire in 1986. The song was considered one of her signature and breakthrough singles.-Song background:...
" – Reba McEntire - 1986 - "High Horse" – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- "Desperado Love" – Conway Twitty - 1986
- "Elizabeth" – Statler Brothers
- "She's Single Again" – Janie Frickie
- "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile" – David Allan Coe
- "Cry" – Crystal Gayle - 1986
- "Honky Tonk ManHonky Tonk Man (song)"Honky Tonk Man" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Johnny Horton. It was released in March 1956 as his debut single, reaching #9 on the U.S. country singles charts...
" – Dwight Yoakam - 1986 - "Have Mercy" – The Judds - 1986
- "She's My Rock" – George Jones
- "I Fell In Love Again Last Night" – Forester Sisters
- "She Keeps the Home Fires BurningShe Keeps the Home Fires Burning"She Keeps the Home Fires Burning", recorded in 1985, is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap.His 41st single to be released, and his 26th No. 1 hit on the country charts, the song is highly regarded as one of Milsap's most popular songs. The song was originally exclusive to the...
" – Ronnie Milsap - "You're The Last Thing I Needed Tonight" – John Schneider
- "Tennessee Homesick Blues" – Dolly Parton
- "I Got Mexico" – Eddy Raven
- "If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You've Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)" - Alabama - 1984
- "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1984
- "Old Hippie" – Bellamy Brothers
Contemporary Country: The Mid '80s Hot Hits
- "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me" – Rosanne Cash
- "Life's Highway" – Steve Wariner - 1986
- "Why Not Me" – The Judds - 1984
- "What's A Memory Like You (Doing In A Love Like This)" – John Schneider - 1986
- "Somebody Should Leave" – Reba McEntire - 1985
- "(There's A) Fire In The Night" – Alabama - 1985
- "Thank God For The Radio" – The Kendalls
- "Forgiving You Was Easy" – Willie Nelson
- "Natural High" – Merle Haggard (with Janie Fricke) - 1983
- "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" – George Jones - 1985
- "1982" – Randy Travis - 1985
- "Uncle Pen" – Ricky Skaggs
- "Hello Mary Lou" – Statler Brothers
- "Country State Of Mind" – Hank Williams Jr.
- "The Chair" – George Strait - 1985
- "Radio Heart" – Charly McClain
- "Touch A Hand Make A Friend" – Oak Ridge Boys
- "I Tell It Like It Used To Be" – T. Graham Brown - 1986
- "Until I Met You" – Judy Rodman - 1986
- "In My Eyes" – John Conlee
- "That's The Thing About Love - Don Williams
- "Only A Lonely Heart Knows" – Barbara Mandrell
Contemporary Country: The Late '80s
- "Better Man" – Clint Black - 1989
- "Cry, Cry, Cry" – Highway 101 - 1988
- "I Told You So" – Randy Travis - 1988
- "I'll Always Come Back" – K.T. Oslin - 1988
- "I Wonder Do You Think Of Me" – Keith Whitley - 1989
- "The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder" – Michael Johnson
- "Set 'Em Up Joe" – Vern Gosdin - 1988
- "The Bluest Eyes in TexasThe Bluest Eyes in Texas"The Bluest Eyes in Texas" is the title of a song written by Tim DuBois, Dave Robbins and Van Stephenson, and recorded by American country music group, Restless Heart. It was released in May 1988 as the lead single from their album Big Dreams in a Small Town. It hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Country...
" – Restless Heart - 1988 - "If You Change Your Mind" – Rosanne Cash
- "What Am I Gonna Do About You" – Reba McEntire - 1987
- "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star" – Merle Haggard - 1988
- "Fishin' In The Dark" – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 1987
- "Strong Enough To Bend" – Tanya Tucker - 1988
- "Ocean Front Property" – George Strait - 1987
- "Cry Myself To Sleep" – The Judds - 1987
- "Somebody LiedSomebody Lied"Somebody Lied" is a country music song written by Joe Chambers and Larry Jenkins. First recorded by Conway Twitty on his 1985 album Don't Call Him a Cowboy, it was later recorded by American country music singer Ricky Van Shelton...
" – Ricky Van Shelton - 1987 - "Joe Knows How To Live" – Eddy Raven
- "The Wanderer" – Eddie Rabbitt
- "Timber, I'm Falling In Love" – Patty Loveless - 1989
- "High CottonHigh Cotton (song)"High Cotton" is a country song by Alabama from their 1989 album Southern Star. The song was one of four singles on the album to reach number one on the Hot Country Singles chart.- Lyrics :...
" – Alabama - 1989 - "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen RosesEighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" is a country song by Kathy Mattea from her 1987 album, Untasted Honey. The song was released as a single and hit number one on both the US and Canadian Country charts in 1988. The song is about a truck driver called Charlie who is retiring after 30 years to spend...
" – Kathy Mattea - 1988 - "We Believe In Happy Endings" – Earl Thomas Conley & Emmylou Harris - 1988
- Note: This is a re-issue of original "The Late '80s," with different cover and slightly different track lineup.
Contemporary Country: The Late '80s Pure Gold
- "Streets Of Bakersfield" – Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens - 1988
- "Blue Side Of Town" – Patty Loveless
- "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried" – Rodney Crowell - 1988
- "The Way We Make A Broken Heart" – Rosanne Cash
- "Don't Close Your Eyes" – Keith Whitley - 1988
- "The Church On Cumberland Road" – Shenandoah - 1989
- "Darlene" – T. Graham Brown - 1988
- "Somewhere Tonight" – Highway 101 - 1987
- "The Last One To Know" – Reba McEntire - 1987
- "Deeper Than the HollerDeeper Than the Holler"Deeper Than The Holler" is a single released by American country music singer Randy Travis and written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. The second single released from Travis's 1988 album, Old 8x10, the song was his eighth Number One single, and his sixth consecutive.-Content:"Deeper Than the...
" – Randy Travis - 1989 - "Living ProofLiving Proof (Ricky Van Shelton song)"Living Proof" is a song made famous by country music singer Ricky Van Shelton. Written by Steve Clark and Johnny MacRae, the song — a ballad paying tribute to long-standing love — was released in 1989, and became Shelton's sixth No...
" – Ricky Van Shelton - 1989 - "Born To Boogie" – Hank Williams Jr. - 1987
- "This Crazy Love" – Oak Ridge Boys
- "New Shade Of Blue" – Southern Pacific
- "Love Me Like You Used To" – Tanya Tucker - 1988
- "I Got Dreams" – Steve Wariner
- "Change Of Heart" – The Judds - 1989
- "Song of the SouthSong of the South (song)"Song of the South" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill. First recorded by American country music artist Johnny Russell, it reached number 57 on the U.S. Billboard country chart in 1981. Covered by Tom T. Hall and Earl Scruggs, it was a number 72 country single for them in 1982 from the...
" – Alabama - 1989 - "Do Ya'" – K.T. Oslin
- "I've Been Lookin'" – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- "(I'd Choose) You Again" – Forester Sisters
- "A Long Line of LoveA Long Line of Love"A Long Line of Love" is the title of a song written by Paul Overstreet and Thom Schuyler. It was recorded by American country music artist, Michael Martin Murphey. It was released in April 1987 as the second single from his album Americana. The song reached number one on the U.S. and Canadian...
" – Michael Martin Murphey
Contemporary Country: The Late '80s Hot Hits
- "All My Ex's Live In Texas" – George Strait - 1987
- "A Little Bit In Love" – Patty Loveless
- "I Sang Dixie" – Dwight Yoakam - 1989
- "Don't Go To Strangers" – T. Graham Brown
- "80s Ladies" – K.T. Oslin - 1987
- "I'm No Stranger To The Rain" – Keith Whitley - 1989
- "If It Don't Come Easy" – Tanya Tucker - 1988
- "Lynda" – Steve Wariner - 1987
- "Love Someone Like Me" – Holly Dunn - 1987
- "One Promise Too Late" – Reba McEntire - 1987
- "Chill Factor" – Merle Haggard
- "Too Gone Too Long" – Randy Travis - 1988
- "Whiskey If You Were A Woman" – Highway 101 - 1987
- "She's Got A Single Thing In Mind" – Conway Twitty - 1989
- "Fallin' Again" – Alabama - 1988
- "Goin' Gone" – Kathy Mattea - 1988
- "Rose In Paradise" – Waylon Jennings - 1987
- "Midnight Girl-Sunset Town" – Sweethearts Of The Rodeo - 1987
- "Gonna Take a Lot Of River" – Oak Ridge Boys - 1988
- "Sunday In The South" – Shenandoah - 1989
- "Mornin' Ride" – Lee Greenwood
- "Burnin' a Hole In My Heart" – Skip Ewing
Contemporary Country: The Early '90s
- "Brand New ManBrand New Man (song)"Brand New Man" is the debut single by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It is also the first single off their album, Brand New Man, and their first Number One single on the country charts.-Music video:...
" – Brooks & DunnBrooks & DunnBrooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
- 1991 - "Some Girls Do" – Sawyer BrownSawyer BrownSawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
- "Jealous BoneJealous Bone"Jealous Bone" was a single release by Patty Loveless in 1991. It was included on her fifth album with MCA Records, Up Against My Heart, with the single being released in January 1992. It was the second single released from the album.-Background:...
" – Patty LovelessPatty LovelessPatty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
- 1991 - "It Only Hurts When I CryIt Only Hurts When I Cry"It Only Hurts When I Cry" is a song co-written by country music artists Dwight Yoakam and Roger Miller, and recorded by Yoakam. It is the fourth single from his 1990 album If There Was a Way. It peaked at #7 in the United States, and at #4 in Canada...
" – Dwight YoakamDwight YoakamDwight David Yoakam is an American singer-songwriter, actor and film director, most famous for his pioneering country music... - "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)"Here's a Quarter " is the title of a song written and recorded by country music artist Travis Tritt. It was released in May 1991 as the lead-off single to his 1991 album It's All About To Change. It peaked at #2 in both the United States and Canada. This is one of his most popular songs...
" – Travis TrittTravis TrittJames Travis Tritt is an American country music singer from Marietta, Georgia. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct...
- 1991 - "Cadillac Style" – Sammy KershawSammy KershawSamuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
- "Come on Back" – Carlene CarterCarlene CarterCarlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
- "Love's Got a Hold on YouLove's Got a Hold on You"Love's Got a Hold on You" is the title of a song written by Carson Chamberlain, Jackson's road manager, and Keith Stegall, his producer, and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in July 1992 as the final single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox...
" – Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
- 1991 - "Mirror, MirrorMirror, Mirror (Diamond Rio song)"Mirror, Mirror" is the title of a song recorded by American country music group Diamond Rio. It was the second single released from their self-titled debut album. It peaked at #3 in the United States, and #4 in Canada.-Music video:...
" – Diamond RioDiamond RioDiamond Rio is an American Country music/Christian music band formed in 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its foundation, the group has comprised the same six members: Gene Johnson , Jimmy Olander , Brian Prout , Marty Roe , Dan Truman , and Dana Williams...
- 1991 - "Small Town Saturday Night" – Hal KetchumHal KetchumHal Michael Ketchum is an American country music artist. He has released ten studio albums since 1986, including nine for the Curb and Asylum-Curb labels. Ketchum's 1991 album Past the Point of Rescue is his most commercially successful, having been certified gold by the Recording Industry...
- 1991 - "Take It Like a ManTake It Like a ManThe Take It Like a Man EP was recorded by rock/blues singer/songwriter Shannon Curfman, and released, for Purdy Records label, in early 2006, as a heads up to her second album, which was due for release in 2007...
" – Michelle WrightMichelle WrightMichelle Wright is a Canadian country music artist. She is one of the country's most widely recognized and awarded female country singers of the 1990s, winning the Canadian Country Music Association's Fans' Choice Award twice...
- 1992 - "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the RadioThere Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio"There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Aaron Tippin. The fourth single of his career, it was also the first release from his second album, 1992's Read Between the Lines...
" – Aaron TippinAaron TippinAaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
- 1992 - "Old Flames Have New Names" – Mark ChesnuttMark ChesnuttMark Nelson Chesnutt is an American country music singer. Chesnutt recorded and released his first album, Doing My Country Thing, in the late-1980s on private independent record label, Axbar Records, with the vinyl album version now a collector's item...
- "Better Class of LosersBetter Class of Losers"Better Class of Losers" is the title of a song co-written and released by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in December 1991 as the third single from his 1991 CD, High Lonesome, it peaked at #2 in both the United States and Canada...
" – Randy TravisRandy TravisRandy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
- 1991 - "Down to My Last TeardropDown to My Last Teardrop"Down to My Last Teardrop" is a single by American country music artist Tanya Tucker. Released in 1991, it was the first single from Tucker's album What Do I Do with Me. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in September 1991 and #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart...
" – Tanya TuckerTanya TuckerTanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
- 1991 - "Runnin' BehindRunnin' Behind"Runnin' Behind" is the title of a song co-written by Mark D. Sanders and Ed Hill and recorded by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was released in June 1992 as the third single from his debut album, Sticks and Stones. It peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles &...
" – Tracy LawrenceTracy LawrenceTracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music... - "Liza Jane" – Vince GillVince GillVincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
- 1991 - "Hillbilly Rock" – Marty StuartMarty StuartJohn Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
- 1990 - "Don't Tell Me What to Do" – Pam TillisPam TillisPamela Yvonne "Pam" Tillis is an American country music singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis....
- 1991 - "Lovin' All NightLovin' All Night"Lovin' All Night" is a song written and performed by Rodney Crowell. Crowell recorded the song for his 1992 album, Life Is Messy. It was released as the first single from the album and peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart....
" – Rodney CrowellRodney CrowellRodney Crowell is a Grammy Award-winning musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music....
- 1992 - "We Both Walk" – Lorrie MorganLorrie MorganIn 1996 Morgan married Jon Randall, a singer/songwriter now credited with writing the 2004 Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss hit "Whiskey Lullaby"; they divorced three years later in 1999....
- 1991 - "Beer and Bones" – John Michael MontgomeryJohn Michael MontgomeryJohn Michael Montgomery is an American country music artist. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard’s Number One country singles of the year: "I Swear" and "Sold "...
Contemporary Country: The Mid '90s
- "Don't Rock the JukeboxDon't Rock the Jukebox (song)"Don't Rock the Jukebox" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in April 1991 as the lead single from the album of the same name, Don't Rock the Jukebox. It was his second consecutive Number One single on the U.S...
" – Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
- 1991 - "It's a Little Too LateIt's a Little Too Late (Mark Chesnutt song)"It's a Little Too Late" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Mark Chesnutt. It was released in September 1996 as the lead single from his Greatest Hits album. The song reached number-one on the U.S...
" – Mark ChesnuttMark ChesnuttMark Nelson Chesnutt is an American country music singer. Chesnutt recorded and released his first album, Doing My Country Thing, in the late-1980s on private independent record label, Axbar Records, with the vinyl album version now a collector's item...
- 1996 - "The Shoes You're WearingThe Shoes You're Wearing"The Shoes You're Wearing" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Clint Black. It was released in April 1998 as the fourth single from Black's Nothin' but the Taillights album. The song reached Number One on the U.S...
" – Clint BlackClint BlackClint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country... - "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)"Mi Vida Loca " is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Pam Tillis. It was released in November 1994 as the third single from the album, Sweetheart's Dance. She co-wrote the song with Jess Leary, and co-produced it with Steve Fishell...
" – Pam TillisPam TillisPamela Yvonne "Pam" Tillis is an American country music singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis....
- 1994 - "Blame It On Your HeartBlame It on Your Heart"Blame It On Your Heart" is a song by Patty Loveless, released as a single in 1993. It was included on her first album with Sony/Epic Records, Only What I Feel, her sixth career album. The single was released in April 1993. It was the first single released from the album...
" – Patty LovelessPatty LovelessPatty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
- 1993 - "Down HomeDown Home (song)"Down Home" is the title of a song written by Rick Bowles and Josh Leo and recorded by American country music band, Alabama. It was released in February 1991 as the fourth single from their album Pass It On Down...
" – AlabamaAlabama (band)Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
- 1991 - "Pickup ManPickup Man"Pickup Man" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist Joe Diffie. Released in October 1994, the song was his longest-lasting Number One hit, having spent four weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts between December 1994 and January...
" – Joe DiffieJoe DiffieJoe Logan Diffie is an American country music singer known for his ballads and novelty songs. Between 1990 and 2004, Diffie charted 35 cuts on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including five number one singles: his debut release "Home", "If the Devil Danced ", "Third Rock from the Sun",...
- 1994 - "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' AwayDon't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away"Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music singer Vince Gill that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the second single released in October 1992 from his CD, I Still Believe in You. It...
" – Vince GillVince GillVincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
- 1992 - "Love a Little StrongerLove a Little Stronger (song)"Love a Little Stronger" is the title of a song co-written by Chuck Jones, Billy Crittenden and Gregory Swint and recorded by American country music group Diamond Rio...
" – Diamond RioDiamond RioDiamond Rio is an American Country music/Christian music band formed in 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its foundation, the group has comprised the same six members: Gene Johnson , Jimmy Olander , Brian Prout , Marty Roe , Dan Truman , and Dana Williams...
- 1994 - "Why Didn't I Think of ThatWhy Didn't I Think of That"Why Didn't I Think of That" is a single by American country music singer Doug Stone that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the fourth and final single released from his CD, From the Heart.-Content:...
" – Doug Stone - "No NewsNo News"No News" is the title of a song recorded by American country music band Lonestar. It was released in January 1996 as the second single from their debut album, Lonestar. "No News" reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in April 1996 , giving the group its first...
" – LonestarLonestarLonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald , Michael Britt , Keech Rainwater , Dean Sams , and Michael Hill . McDonald left the band in November 2007 for a solo career before returning in 2011...
- 1995 - "Six Days on the RoadSix Days on the Road"Six Days on the Road" is an American song written by Muscle Shoals Sound Studio songwriter Carl Montgomery and Earl Green, made originally famous by country music singer Dave Dudley...
" – Sawyer BrownSawyer BrownSawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
- 1997 - "This Woman and This ManThis Woman and This Man"This Woman And This Man" is the title of a song recorded by American country music singer Clay Walker. It was released in January 1995 as the second single from his 1994 album, If I Could Make a Living...
" – Clay WalkerClay WalkerErnest Clayton "Clay" Walker Jr. is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1993 with the single "What's It to You," which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, as did its follow-up, 1994's "Live Until I Die." Both singles were included on...
- 1995 - "That's as Close as I'll Get to Loving YouThat's as Close as I'll Get to Loving You"That's as Close as I'll Get to Loving You" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist Aaron Tippin. It was released in August 1995 as the lead-off single to his 1995 album Tool Box. It peaked at number one in the United States, and #10 in Canada...
" – Aaron TippinAaron TippinAaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
- 1995 - "What Part of NoWhat Part of No"What Part of No" is a song recorded by American country music artist Lorrie Morgan. Released as the second single from her 1992 album Watch Me, the single reached Number One on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts dated for the week of February 27, 1993, holding the Number One...
" – Lorrie MorganLorrie MorganIn 1996 Morgan married Jon Randall, a singer/songwriter now credited with writing the 2004 Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss hit "Whiskey Lullaby"; they divorced three years later in 1999.... - "I See It NowI See It Now (song)"I See It Now" is the title of a song written by Larry Boone, Paul Nelson, and Woody Lee. It was recorded by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was released in August 1994 as the lead-off single from his album of the same name. It peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
" – Tracy LawrenceTracy LawrenceTracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
- 1994 - "Money in the BankMoney in the Bank (John Anderson song)"Money in the Bank" is a song recorded by country music artist John Anderson. It is the lead-off single to his 1993 album Solid Ground. It peaked at number one on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and #2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart...
" – John AndersonJohn Anderson (musician)John David Anderson is an American country music artist with a successful career that has lasted more than 30 years... - "Every Once in a WhileEvery Once in a While"Every Once in a While" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music band Blackhawk. It was released in April 1994 as the second single from their self-titled debut album. It peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and at #3 on Canadian...
" – BlackHawkBlackhawk (band)Blackhawk is an American country music group founded in 1992 by Henry Paul , Van Stephenson , and Dave Robbins...
- 1994 - "Heads Carolina, Tails CaliforniaHeads Carolina, Tails California"Heads Carolina, Tails California" is the title of a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders and recorded by American country artist Jo Dee Messina. The song was released in January 1996 as her debut single and served as the lead-off single for her self-titled debut album. The song reached...
" – Jo Dee MessinaJo Dee MessinaJo Dee Marie Messina , known professionally as Jo Dee Messina, is an American country music artist. She has charted nine Number One singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and has been nominated for two...
- 1996 - "I Can Still Make CheyenneI Can Still Make Cheyenne"I Can Still Make Cheyenne" is the title of a song written by Aaron Barker and Erv Woolsey and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in August 1996 as the third single from Strait's 1996 album Blue Clear Sky. The song also appears on 50 Number Ones...
" – George StraitGeorge StraitGeorge Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...