EVERY Billboard #1 country hit of 1978 discussion thread

We now take a look at the year of Saturday Night Fever and Grease - meanwhile, on the C&W charts, 31 songs made it to the #1 position, considerably more than on the Hot 100. I will be closely monitoring the movement of the "main charts" (the ratio would be 5 country #1's to 3 pop #1's, more or less).

As always, this is a linear thread where the process of every new song taking up its reign atop the charts is the exercise, so jumping ahead is strongly discouraged 'round here.

After a break, the first song of 1978 to hit the top.

Meanwhile, as you wait, here are these previous years looked at:

EVERY Billboard #1 country hit of 1977 discussion thread
EVERY Billboard #1 country hit of 1976 discussion thread.
EVERY Billboard #1 country hit of 1975 discussion thread

And for lovers of old-time country music . . .

EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1944-1949
EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1950-1954

 

Now for the first chart-topper of the year . . .
"Take This Job And Shove It" by Johnny Paycheck
(#1 for 2 weeks - January 7-14, 1978)


Wikipedia entry - both Mr. Paycheck's first and last Number One.

 

I played this 45 on my Emenee toy jukebox when I was four years old. My dad bought them both. I preferred the B-side, which actually does sound kinda like a messed-up kids song.

I still love Johnny Paycheck.

 

This song got a lot of media attention, mostly because it's impolite title for its time.

 

We go on to the next one . . .
"What A Difference You've Made In My Life" by Ronnie Milsap
(#1 for 1 week - January 21, 1978)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for this little number . . .
"Out Of My Head And Back In My Bed" by Loretta Lynn
(#1 for 2 weeks - January 28-February 4, 1978)


Wikipedia entry - Ms. Lynn's final solo Number One.

 

Now for this which would be the first for this artist to reach the top . . .
"I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love" by Larry Gatlin with Brothers and Friends
(#1 for 1 week - February 11, 1978)


Wikipedia entry

 

Moving on a bit . . .
"Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" by Margo Smith
(#1 for 2 weeks - February 18-25, 1978)


Wikipedia entry - Ms. Smith's first topper.

 

I'm paying attention, but haven't really seen a song that knocks me out yet. Hadn't heard the Loretta one since it was out, and it's not bad...a little different for her.

I get the Johnny Paycheck song, but it's been a little overdone.

 

And now for another biggie . . .
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" by Waylon & Willie
(#1 for 4 weeks - March 4-25, 1978)


Wikipedia entry - also peaked at #42 on Hot 100.

 

Moseyin' on up to the next number on the jukebox . . .
"Ready For The Times To Get Better" by Crystal Gayle
(#1 for 1 week - April 1, 1978)


Wikipedia entry

 

this is the only country single i REALLY liked in 78 ha.

 

and then. there is this.

it can't be beat

 

@rkt88: Ahem . . . massive jumping ahead, no? . . . @Grant has a hard-and-fast rule against such a thing. This is about the process, and those videos being put in the time they were are all "end result."

 

i know that was typed in our native tongue. but you lost me on the "process" end result part.

hard and fast rule against what? you're kidding, right?

i massively jumped a few MONTHS to a better song "All the Gold in California" is a song written by Larry Gatlin and recorded by American country music group Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band. It was released in August 1979

i'm guilty. call the internet police on me ha. i'll still never follow your rules lol.

 

This is what is meant by jumping ahead, folks.

 

You posted a "list". it's your thing, i get it. i posted a song clip of one of the best # 1 country singles of that sorry decade of waltz to schmaltz from 79 not 78. so sue me. now here is a studio version.

you find one "better" single from 78 i'll never "jump ahead" again. there's a better number one country single in 78? tell me. i'm all ears.

"What is my crime" - Joe Isgro.

 

We are going in chronological order, from the beginning of the year to the end. It is in synchronicity with other threads relating to #1's on the Hot 100 and on the R&B charts during the same time period. To jump ahead is equivalent to someone opening a Christmas present before the day in question. Often the "better" #1's are in the later part of the year. That is the point. In those days, people had to go through the drek before something that was "better" took its turn.

 

i sincerely and without equivocation and unreservedly apologize with any and all accompanying humility i can possibly muster, for not adhering to your "rules". i realize how precious the space is, and how important in the overall scheme of things that one adhere to protocol. any incorrect chronology in a thread as obviously important as this, might well undermine the natural order of "things".

then anarchy might ensue. can't have that, god forbid.

not for nothing, 1978 sucked for country number one singles. see you in 1979.

 

I have to say this is the first song posted in this thread that I like a lot. I'm sure the Waylon & Willie song is revered by many, but it never did a lot for me.

Despite the bona fides of her origins, Crystal wasn't exactly down-home country. But her initial run of hits were all very well-produced, and her vocal delivery had a certain sincerity to it.

 

And in the USA South, also known as the UMWA (United Mine Workers of America) union national anthem. Especially due to the big UMWA strike when this was a current hit.

 

And the production on this one and arrangement make Margo Smith's multi-tracked harmony really shine. A beautiful cover version, I like this as well as I do Connie Francis original.

 

Still a favorite of mine to this day. Love this classic as much as I did when it was new.

 

I've always enjoyed this one and Crystal in general. I was enjoying The Midnight Special DVD set a few nights back and her performance was excellent.

 

‘78 was a good year so far. Not a big Margo Smith fan though. I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love is my favorite Gatlin song. Anything Crystal Gayle and Ronnie Milano put out in this era was gold.

Thanks!