List of Hot Country Singles number ones of 1977

Last updated

Waylon Jennings had the longest-running number one of 1977. Waylon Jennings RCA cropped.jpg
Waylon Jennings had the longest-running number one of 1977.

Hot Country Songs is a chart that ranks the top-performing country music songs in the United States, published by Billboard magazine. In 1977, 31 different singles topped the chart, which was at the time published under the title Hot Country Singles, based on playlists submitted by country music radio stations and sales reports submitted by stores. [1]

Contents

Waylon Jennings spent the most weeks at number one, with eight, including a run of six weeks at the top with "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"; no single since 1967 had spent longer at number one. [2] Crystal Gayle and Dolly Parton came closest to Jennings's total number of weeks at number one, each spending five weeks in the top spot. Parton's time at number one comprised a five-week run with "Here You Come Again", the second-longest running chart-topper of 1977, in the issues of Billboard dated December 3 through December 31. Conway Twitty was the only artist to take three different songs to the top of the chart. Thanks to the prevalence of crossover-friendly country pop, several country number ones of 1977 also charted highly on Billboard's all-genres singles chart, the Hot 100, including Glen Campbell's "Southern Nights", which reached number one on the Hot 100 in the issue of Billboard dated April 30, the second time that Campbell had taken a song to the top of both charts. [3] Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" reached number 2 on the Hot 100 [4] and Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" made number 3. [5]

In February, Welsh singer Tom Jones achieved his first country number one with "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow". Previously associated mainly with the pop music field, albeit with some forays into country, Jones focused on the country music market when he returned to recording in the mid 1970s after concentrating in the early part of the decade on live stage shows in Las Vegas. [6] He immediately topped the Hot Country chart with his very first entry and would achieve several more country hits over the next decade before moving back into the pop market. [6] [7] Father-daughter duo The Kendalls also topped the chart for the first time in 1977, spending four weeks atop the listing with "Heaven's Just a Sin Away"; [8] although they had entered the chart several times previously, none of their earlier hits had even reached the top 50. [9] Tammy Wynette, one of country music's best-known artists and biggest-selling female singers, topped the singles chart for the last time with "Near You", a duet with her former husband George Jones. [10] The couple had divorced in 1975, but continued to release records together. [11] Elvis Presley, the "king of rock 'n roll", topped the country chart with the last single released in his lifetime, [12] when "Way Down" moved up to number one in the issue of Billboard dated August 20, four days after his death. [13]

Chart history

Welsh singer Tom Jones (pictured in 2009) is primarily associated with other musical genres, but had a country number one in 1977. Tom Jones concert.jpg
Welsh singer Tom Jones (pictured in 2009) is primarily associated with other musical genres, but had a country number one in 1977.
"King of rock 'n roll" Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. His single "Way Down" topped the country chart in the issue of Billboard dated August 20. Elvis Presley Publicity Photo for The Trouble with Girls 1968.jpg
"King of rock 'n roll" Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. His single "Way Down" topped the country chart in the issue of Billboard dated August 20.
In February Tammy Wynette topped the chart with "Near You", a duet with her former husband George Jones. Tammy Wynette 1977.jpg
In February Tammy Wynette topped the chart with "Near You", a duet with her former husband George Jones.
Issue dateTitleArtist(s)Ref.
January 1"Sweet Dreams" Emmylou Harris [14]
January 8"Broken Down in Tiny Pieces" Billy "Crash" Craddock [15]
January 15"You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye)" Crystal Gayle [16]
January 22"I Can't Believe She Gives It All to Me" Conway Twitty [17]
January 29"Let My Love Be Your Pillow" Ronnie Milsap [18]
February 5"Near You" George Jones and Tammy Wynette [19]
February 12 [20]
February 19"Moody Blue" / "She Thinks I Still Care" [lower-alpha 1] Elvis Presley [21]
February 26"Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" Tom Jones [22]
March 5"Heart Healer" Mel Tillis [23]
March 12"She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory" Charley Pride [24]
March 19"Southern Nights" Glen Campbell [25]
March 26 [26]
April 2"Lucille" Kenny Rogers [27]
April 9 [28]
April 16"It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" Johnny Duncan [29]
April 23"She's Got You" Loretta Lynn [30]
April 30"She's Pulling Me Back Again" Mickey Gilley [31]
May 7"Play Guitar Play" Conway Twitty [32]
May 14"Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" Don Williams [33]
May 21"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" Waylon Jennings [34]
May 28 [35]
June 4 [36]
June 11 [37]
June 18 [38]
June 25 [39]
July 2"That Was Yesterday" Donna Fargo [40]
July 9"I'll Be Leaving Alone" Charley Pride [41]
July 16"It Was Almost Like a Song" Ronnie Milsap [42]
July 23 [43]
July 30 [44]
August 6"Rollin' with the Flow" Charlie Rich [45]
August 13 [46]
August 20"Way Down" / "Pledging My Love" [lower-alpha 1] Elvis Presley [47]
August 27"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" Crystal Gayle [48]
September 3 [49]
September 10 [50]
September 17 [51]
September 24"I've Already Loved You in My Mind" Conway Twitty [52]
October 1"Daytime Friends" Kenny Rogers [53]
October 8"Heaven's Just a Sin Away" The Kendalls [54]
October 15 [55]
October 22 [56]
October 29 [57]
November 5"I'm Just a Country Boy" Don Williams [58]
November 12"More to Me" Charley Pride [59]
November 19"The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)" Waylon Jennings [60]
November 26 [61]
December 3"Here You Come Again" Dolly Parton [62]
December 10 [63]
December 17 [64]
December 24 [65]
December 31 [66]

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dolly Parton</span> American singer (born 1946)

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, and philanthropist, known primarily for her decades-long career in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s, before her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Some of Parton's albums in the 1990s did not sell as well, but she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Wynette</span> American country singer (1942–1998)

Tammy Wynette was an American country music singer and songwriter, considered among the genre's most influential and successful artists. Along with Loretta Lynn, Wynette helped bring a woman's perspective to the male-dominated country music field that helped other women find representation in the genre. Her characteristic vocal delivery has been acclaimed by critics, journalists and writers for conveying unique emotion. Twenty of her singles topped the Billboard country chart during her career. Her signature song "Stand by Your Man" received both acclaim and criticism for its portrayal of women's loyalty towards their husbands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Will Always Love You</span> 1974 single by Dolly Parton

"I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, expressing Parton's decision to pursue a solo career, the country single was released in 1974. The song was a commercial success for Parton, twice reaching the top spot of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: first in June 1974, then again in October 1982, with a re-recording for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islands in the Stream (song)</span> 1983 song by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

"Islands in the Stream" is a song written by the Bee Gees and recorded by American country music artists Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released in August 1983 as the first single from Rogers's fifteenth studio album Eyes That See in the Dark. The Bee Gees released a live version in 1998 and a studio version in 2001.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1978.

<i>In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)</i> 1969 studio album by Dolly Parton

In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) is the third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on February 3, 1969, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album's title track was the only single released and it peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jolene (song)</span> 1973 single by Dolly Parton

"Jolene" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee on May 22, 1973, then released on October 15, 1973 by RCA Victor as the first single and title track from her album of the same name.

<i>Honky Tonk Angels</i> 1993 studio album by Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette

Honky Tonk Angels is a collaborative studio album by Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. It was released on November 2, 1993, by Columbia Records. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 5, 1994, for sales of 500,000 copies.

"Silver Threads and Golden Needles" is a country song written by Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes. It was first recorded by Wanda Jackson in 1956. The original lyrics, as performed by Jackson, contain a verse not usually included in later versions, which also often differed in other minor details.

<i>Your Good Girls Gonna Go Bad</i> 1967 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in May 1967 and contained ten tracks. The majority of the album was a collection of cover tunes Wynette recorded, including songs by George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Jeannie Seely. Several new songs were also part of the project. It was the debut studio album of Wynette's career and included two singles: "Apartment No. 9" and "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad". The latter became Wynette's first chart success, climbing into the top five of the American country chart. The album itself reached the American country LP's chart in 1967. The album later received a positive review from AllMusic, which gave it a five-star rating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wings of a Dove (Bob Ferguson song)</span> 1960 single by Ferlin Husky

"Wings of a Dove' is a country song written by Bob Ferguson in 1958. It was popularized when it was recorded by Ferlin Husky in 1960. His recording topped the country charts for 10 nonconsecutive weeks. It was Ferlin Husky's third and final number 1 on the country chart, spending nine months on it. "Wings of a Dove" was successful on the pop charts as well, peaking at number 12 on the Hot 100. In 1987, Broadcast Music Incorporated awarded Ferguson with the "million air" plays for the "Wings of a Dove".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Music Man</span>

"Sweet Music Man" is a song written and recorded by American musician Kenny Rogers. It appears on his 1977 album Daytime Friends, from which it was released as the final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dolly Parton singles discography</span>

The singles discography of American country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton includes over 200 singles and touches on eight decades. Parton has released 198 singles as a lead artist, 49 as a featured artist, six promotional single and 68 music videos. Parton also released 21 singles with Porter Wagoner from 1968 to 1980, bringing her total number of singles to 243.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Jones and Tammy Wynette discography</span>

The discography of American country artists George Jones and Tammy Wynette contains the recordings they made as a vocal duo. Their discography includes nine studio albums, 14 compilation albums, 15 singles and one music video. In October 1971, the duo's first studio album was released by Epic Records and was titled We Go Together. It peaked at number three on the American Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 169 on the Billboard 200 list. Included on the disc was the duo's first single, "Take Me". It reached the top ten on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and the top 20 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It was followed by their second studio album called Me and the First Lady, which charted at number six on the Billboard country list. Featured on the disc was their second top ten single, "The Ceremony".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loretta Lynn singles discography</span> Single discography of American singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn

American country artist Loretta Lynn released 86 singles, two B-sides and 14 music videos. Her debut single was "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" (1960) via Zero Records. Promoting the song with her husband by driving to each radio station, the effort paid off when it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Arriving in Nashville, Tennessee, that year, she signed a recording contract with Decca Records. In 1962, "Success" reached the sixth position on the country songs chart, starting a series of top ten hits including "Wine Women and Song" and "Blue Kentucky Girl". She began collaborating with Ernest Tubb in 1964 and recorded four hit singles with him, including "Mr. and Mrs. Used to Be". Lynn's popularity greatly increased in 1966 when she began releasing her own compositions as singles. Among the first was "You Ain't Woman Enough " which reached the second position on the country songs list. She then reached the number one spot with "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' " (1967). This was followed by "Fist City" (1968) and "Woman of the World " (1969).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Wynette albums discography</span>

The albums discography of American country music artist Tammy Wynette contains 33 studio albums, 55 compilation albums, 2 box sets and has appeared on 6 additional albums. In 1966, Wynette signed a recording contract with Epic Records. The following year, her debut studio album entitled Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad was issued, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The same year, she collaborated with David Houston on the studio album My Elusive Dreams, which reached number 11 on the same chart. The following year, her fourth studio album D-I-V-O-R-C-E peaked at number 1 on the Country Albums list, spending two weeks at the top spot. Wynette's fifth studio record Stand by Your Man (1969) reached number 2 on the country albums chart and peaked at number 43 on the Billboard 200 albums list. Wynette's first compilation released entitled Tammy's Greatest Hits (1969) would spend 61 weeks on the Billboard 200 before peaking at number 37.

<i>Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection</i> 2022 greatest hits album by Dolly Parton

Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection is a compilation album by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was released by RCA Records and Legacy Recordings on November 18, 2022.

"Put It Off Until Tomorrow" is a song written by Dolly Parton and Bill Owens, and first recorded by American country music artist Bill Phillips. It was released in January 1966, and Phillips released an album of the same name later that year. The song became his biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Parton provided uncredited harmony vocals on the single. The song has been covered by numerous artists, and became a top ten hit for The Kendalls in 1980.

References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944-2005. Record Research. p. ix. ISBN   978-0-89820-165-9.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2005). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. Watson-Guptill Publications Inc. pp. 519–524. ISBN   978-0-8230-8289-6.
  3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Glen Campbell Biography & History". AllMusic . Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  4. Betts, Stephen L. (June 23, 2017). "Flashback: Crystal Gayle's 'Brown Eyes Blue' Goes Global". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  5. Zaleski, Annie (February 1, 2018). "40 Years Ago: 'Here You Come Again' Becomes Dolly Parton's First Gold Single". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Tom Jones Biography & History". AllMusic . Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  7. "Tom Jones Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  8. Cantwell, David (February 28, 2003). "Jeannie Kendall Of missing persons". No Depression . Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  9. "The Kendalls Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  10. "Tammy Wynette Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  11. Pareles, Jon (April 8, 1998). "Tammy Wynette, Country Singer Known For 'Stand by Your Man,' Is Dead at 55". The New York Times . Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  12. Lewis, Randy (August 16, 2016). "Elvis Presley 'Way Down in the Jungle Room' 40 years later". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  13. "1977: Elvis is dead long live the king". BBC. 16 August 1977. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  14. "Hot Country Songs chart for January 1, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  15. "Hot Country Songs chart for January 8, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  16. "Hot Country Songs chart for January 15, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  17. "Hot Country Songs chart for January 22, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  18. "Hot Country Songs chart for January 29, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  19. "Hot Country Songs chart for February 5, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  20. "Hot Country Songs chart for February 12, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  21. "Hot Country Songs chart for February 19, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  22. "Hot Country Songs chart for February 26, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  23. "Hot Country Songs chart for March 5, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  24. "Hot Country Songs chart for March 12, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  25. "Hot Country Songs chart for March 19, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  26. "Hot Country Songs chart for March 26, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  27. "Hot Country Songs chart for April 2, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  28. "Hot Country Songs chart for April 9, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  29. "Hot Country Songs chart for April 16, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  30. "Hot Country Songs chart for April 23, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  31. "Hot Country Songs chart for April 30, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  32. "Hot Country Songs chart for May 7, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  33. "Hot Country Songs chart for May 14, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  34. "Hot Country Songs chart for May 21, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  35. "Hot Country Songs chart for May 28, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  36. "Hot Country Songs chart for June 4, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  37. "Hot Country Songs chart for June 11, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  38. "Hot Country Songs chart for June 18, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  39. "Hot Country Songs chart for June 25, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  40. "Hot Country Songs chart for July 2, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  41. "Hot Country Songs chart for July 9, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  42. "Hot Country Songs chart for July 16, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  43. "Hot Country Songs chart for July 23, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  44. "Hot Country Songs chart for July 30, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  45. "Hot Country Songs chart for August 6, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  46. "Hot Country Songs chart for August 13, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  47. "Hot Country Songs chart for August 20, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  48. "Hot Country Songs chart for August 27, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  49. "Hot Country Songs chart for September 3, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  50. "Hot Country Songs chart for September 10, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  51. "Hot Country Songs chart for September 17, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  52. "Hot Country Songs chart for September 24, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  53. "Hot Country Songs chart for October 1, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  54. "Hot Country Songs chart for October 8, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  55. "Hot Country Songs chart for October 15, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  56. "Hot Country Songs chart for October 22, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  57. "Hot Country Songs chart for October 29, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  58. "Hot Country Songs chart for November 5, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  59. "Hot Country Songs chart for November 12, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  60. "Hot Country Songs chart for November 19, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  61. "Hot Country Songs chart for November 26, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  62. "Hot Country Songs chart for December 3, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  63. "Hot Country Songs chart for December 10, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  64. "Hot Country Songs chart for December 17, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  65. "Hot Country Songs chart for December 24, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  66. "Hot Country Songs chart for December 31, 1977". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.