EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1980-1984

Next one . . .
"Dancin' Cowboys" by the Bellamy Brothers
(#1 for 1 week - August 2, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

True Love Ways : Gilley's vocal on this is stellar.

Dancing Cowboys : I like the easygoing, almost tropical vibe that this song projects.

 

Now for . . .
"Stand By Me" by Mickey Gilley
(#1 for 1 week - August 9, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

And following, with the first topper for this outfit:
"Tennessee River" by Alabama
(#1 for 1 week - August 16, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for a somewhat big crossover hit . . .
"Drivin' My Life Away" by Eddie Rabbitt
(#1 for 1 week - August 23, 1980)


Wikipedia entry - made #5 on Hot 100.

 

Finally! A song from this era I can get behind. Lots of energy, good harmonies and tasty guitar licks. A classic, and deservedly so.

Eddie's later sequel, "Runnin' with the Wind," was also a very good song.

 

Stand By Me : It's pleasant but it doesn't measure up to the original.

Tennessee River: The first of many hits for Alabama. Nice blend of country, pop, and Southern rock.

Driving My Life Away : Is it country? Is it pop? However you want to label it, this is a great song that makes me feel good every time I hear it.

 

Here's a double-sided topper . . .
"Cowboys And Clowns" / "Misery Loves Company" by Ronnie Milsap
(#1 for 1 week - August 23, 1980)

and the B side



Wikipedia entries for "Cowboys And Clowns" and "Misery Loves Company"

 

Another crossover biggie . . .
"Lookin' For Love" by Johnny Lee
(#1 for 3 weeks - September 6-20, 1980)


Wikipedia entry - also #5 on the Hot 100, and #4 on Cash Box; also, the B side was the full LP version as opposed to the edited single.

 

And we move on from there to . . .
"Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You" by Dolly Parton
(#1 for 1 week - September 27, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

Next up . . .
"Do You Wanna Go To Heaven" by T.G. Sheppard
(#1 for 1 week - October 4, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

Lookin' For Love : It's a pleasant tune with some nice pop hooks. I understand why it did quite well at top 40 radio.

Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You : Dolly is a legend but this song sounds like a rewrite of "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys".

Do You Wanna Go To Heaven : A well arranged single. I love how the gospel inspired arrangement somehow complements a lyric dealing with the pleasures of the flesh.

 

The first of five toppers for this individual . . .
"Loving Up A Storm" by Razzy Bailey
(#1 for 1 week - October 11, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

I find the strings to be too upfront in the mix on this one. The intro is catchy though and it sounds like it was tailor made to grab the attention of the casual listener.hearing this on the radio for the first time.

 

Carrying on . . .
"I Believe In You" by Don Williams
(#1 for 2 weeks - October 18-25, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for another biggie . . .
"Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)" by Waylon
(#1 for 1 week - November 1, 1980)


Wikipedia entry - Mr. Jennings' biggest crossover hit, reaching #21 on the Hot 100

 

Next one up . . .
"On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson
(#1 for 1 week - November 8, 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

I Believe In You : A big hit on the AC charts too and his lone entry on the Billboard Top 40 Singles chart. (#24).

Theme From Dukes of Hazzard : I loved Dukes of Hazzard when I was a kid. I'm not the least bit surprised that the theme eventually became a hit. Its usage in such a popular tv show bolstered its ability to cross over to pop radio where it topped out at #21.

On The Road Again : Now that I am older and realize how fickle the music industry can be, I'm amazed at how successful Willie Nelson was on pop radio during the early 80s. I love the fact that he was well into his forties by the time he became a superstar and was embraced not only by country radio but also AC and top 40 radio as well. "On The Road Again" is one of those songs that resonated with people from all walks of life.

 

Next . . .
"Could I Have This Dance" by Anne Murray
(#1 for 1 week - November 15, 1980)


Wikipedia entry - #33 on Hot 100

 

Another crossover biggie coming up . . .
"Lady" by Kenny Rogers
(#1 for 1 week - 22 November 1980)


Wikipedia entry - not only did this also top the Hot 100 and Easy Listening / Adult Contemporary charts, it even made #42 on the Hot Soul Singles(!) chart. As well, it marked the resurrection of Liberty Records which Capitol-EMI put in place of United Artists (which apparently was to have originally released this, given the catalogue number as it appeared). Engineered and mixed by the brother of one-third of the Holland/Dozier/Holland songwriting team of Motown fame, thus highlighting the R&B leanings of this; not to mention this being the first major success of Lionel Richie outside his then-group, the Commodores.

 

This is a classic. The production is fantastic and Rogers delivers a a soulful vocal that conveys the lyrics effectively.

 

Next . . .
"If You Ever Change Your Mind" by Crystal Gayle
(#1 for 1 week - 29 November 1980)


Wikipedia entry

 

I consider Christy Lanes cover inferior to the original hit by Marilyn Sellars. But then Sellars was on MEGA and Pickwick did not have the promotional budget that UA had. Lane was a TV offer queen.

 

There was also a version that made #1 on one of the charts in Britain by Lena Martell that didn't even come out in the U.S.

 

This is my first time hearing the Crystal Gayle single. Very well produced. The organ is very subtle in the mix. It adds just enough color without distracting from the other instruments.