EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1970-1974

Been a long while since we last saw this guy at the top . . .
"For The Good Times" by Ray Price
(#1 for 1 week - September 19, 1970)

Three different label designs:

Wikipedia entry - was his biggest crossover, peaking at #11 on the Hot 100; established its songwriter as one to watch for.

 

Such a classic song and rendition. Would become Ray's all time biggest hit.

 

Now for this one . . .
"There Must Be More To Love Than This" by Jerry Lee Lewis
(#1 for 2 weeks - September 26-October 3, 1970)


Wikipedia entry

 

Another 'classic' comes forth . . .
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" by Johnny Cash
(#1 for 2 weeks - October 10-17, 1970)

Two different label design variants:

Wikipedia entry - #46 on Hot 100.

 

Next up . . .
"Run, Woman, Run" by Tammy Wynette
(#1 for 2 weeks - October 24-31, 1970)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for . . .
"I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me" by Charley Pride
(#1 for 2 weeks - November 7-14, 1970)


Wikipedia entry

 

Followed by . . .
"Fifteen Years Ago" by Conway Twitty
(#1 for 1 week - November 21, 1970)


Wikipedia entry - by this time, Decca had dispensed with the decades-long practice of descriptions such as "Vocal With Chorus And Instrumental Accompaniment" as would have been put here in this instance.

 

Has any songwriter in popular music history written a more vivid or elegant song about a hangover than Kris Kristofferson did with this song? Bill Walker also wrote a fantastic string and horn chart for this legendary hit single by Johnny Cash.

 

Comin' up afterwards . . .
"Endlessly" by Sonny James, The Southern Gentleman
(#1 for 3 weeks - November 28-December 12, 1970)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for this song that would go on to reach 'iconic' status and become this individual's signature tune . . .
"Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn
(#1 for 1 week - December 19, 1970)


Wikipedia entry - . . . as much for her as "Hello Darlin' " would become for her soon-to-be-frequent duet partner Conway Twitty; this managed to get to #83 on Hot 100 (and this was before the film of a decade later).

 

And with this, we bid farewell to 1970 and usher in 1971 with this biggie (and first-timer at the top) . . .
"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson
(#1 for 5 weeks - December 26, 1970-January 23, 1971)


Wikipedia entry - Ms. Anderson's biggest hit, crossing over to #3 on the Hot 100 (and also #1 in Cash Box and Record World).

 

Her all time greatest hit. Massive.
Personally I prefer her simpler early work on Chart that never got within sniffing distance of number one. Lots of her mothers songs.

 

Who not long after this wound up on Epic. Quite a few people related in one way or another to Columbia artists ended up on Epic, including:
- Tommy Cash (Johnny's brother)
- Goldie Hill Smith (Carl's second wife)
If any other examples, feel free to pipe up.

 

Lynn's mom(Liz) was recording for RCA while Lynn was on Chart. Liz Anderson was a world class hit songwriter. She wrote Lynns best songs at that time and she wrote Merle Haggards big early hits. In my mind HER biggest hit was Mama Spank. My Dad loved that song.

 

Now for this "new" new topper of the new year . . .
"Flesh And Blood" by Johnny Cash
(#1 for 1 week - January 30, 1971)

Two different variants:

Wikipedia entry - #54 on Hot 100

 

The first time we'll be seeing this individual at the top . . .
"Joshua" by Dolly Parton
(#1 for 1 week - February 6, 1971)


Wikipedia entry - . . . but not the last.

 

Face it. Joshua is a rap song. You can call it patter or talkin' blues but its all the same.
I love Dolly. A walking talking country cliche', and a fabulously talented writer, musician, and performer. IMO country's greatest diva and the sweetest. And ain't that a walking contradiction?

 

Well, to quote S.J. Perelman - just before they made her, they threw away the mold.

 

Now for the next crossover biggie after Ms. Anderson to take its turn at the top . . .
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" by Sammi Smith
(#1 for 3 weeks - February 13-27, 1971)


Wikipedia entry - also made #8 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Easy Listening charts; would win a Grammy for Best Country Music Female Performance.

 

Later in the year, this record would spawn a spoof by Homer And Jethro, their last single released (a month after the death of Henry "Homer" Haynes in August):


One funny line: "So I put my pants to bed / And I hung over a chair all night."

 

On that same record, they parodied "For The Good Times":

 

One has to wonder how Sammy Smith managed to
A-Snag this song
B-Get a record by the relatively small Mega label massive promotion
C-Get over having this one out of the gate. Hard to equal.

 

I know. Especially since Ms. Smith, before signing with Mega, was one of many "lost in the shuffle" country artists on Columbia.

 

Now for the next up . . .
"I'd Rather Love You" by Charley Pride
(#1 for 3 weeks - March 6-20, 1971)


Wikipedia entry - was also #79 on Hot 100.

 

The first of several duets from these individuals to reach the top . . .
"After The Fire Is Gone" by Conway Twitty / Loretta Lynn
(#1 for 2 weeks - March 27-April 3, 1971)


Wikipedia entry - did manage to make #56 on Hot 100.