Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is best known for her 1977 crossover hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s. Her floor-length hair has become synonymous with her name.
"You Don't Know Me" is a song written by Cindy Walker based on a title and storyline given to her by Eddy Arnold in 1955. "You Don't Know Me" was first recorded by Arnold that year and released as a single on April 21, 1956 on RCA Victor. The best-selling version of the song is by Ray Charles, who took it to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962, after releasing the song on his number 1 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. The first version of the song to make the Billboard charts was by Jerry Vale in 1956, peaking at number 14 on the pop chart. Arnold's version charted two months later, released as an RCA Victor single, 47-6502, backed with "The Rockin' Mockin' Bird", which reached number 10 on the Billboard country chart. Cash Box magazine, which combined all best-selling versions at one position, included a version by Carmen McRae that never appeared in the Billboard Top 100 Sides listing.
"Cry" is a 1951 popular song written by Churchill Kohlman. The song was first recorded by Ruth Casey on the Cadillac label. The biggest hit version was recorded in New York City by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads on October 16, 1951. Singer Ronnie Dove also had a big hit with the song in 1966.
Cage the Songbird is an album by the American country music singer Crystal Gayle. Released on October 17, 1983, it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Country Album chart.
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" is a song written by Richard Leigh, and recorded by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. It was released in June 1977 as the first single from Gayle's album We Must Believe in Magic. Despite the title, Gayle herself already has blue eyes.
"You and I" is a duet recorded by American country music artists Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. It was written by Frank J. Myers, produced by David Malloy, and released in October 1982 as the first single from Rabbitt's eighth studio album Radio Romance (1982). "You and I" became a major country pop crossover hit for both artists.
"I'll Get Over You" is a song written by Richard Leigh, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in March 1976 as the second single from the album Somebody Loves You. The song was Gayle's seventh chart hit and her first number-one country hit in 1976.
"Talking in Your Sleep" is a song written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in January 1978 as the first single from the album When I Dream. The song became a hit on both the country and pop charts in 1978. It peaked at number one on the US Country chart for two weeks, number eighteen on the US Pop chart and number three at the US Adult Contemporary chart.
"Half the Way" is a song written by Ralph Murphy and Bobby Wood, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in September 1979 as the first single from the album Miss the Mississippi.
"I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me" is a song written by Al Turney, and recorded by American country music artist Don Williams. It was released in June 1974 as the first single from the album Don Williams Vol. III. The song was Williams's sixth release as a solo artist and his first of seventeen number ones on the country singles chart in Billboard Magazine. The single spent one week at the top and total of twelve weeks on the chart.
"If You Ever Change Your Mind" is a song written by Parker McGee and Bob Gundry, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in August 1980 as the first single from the album These Days. The song was Gayle's eighth number one country hit. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of eighteen weeks on the chart, and also peaked at number eighteen on the Adult Contemporary chart.
"You Can't Run from Love" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Eddie Rabbitt. It was released in March 1983 as the second single from the album Radio Romance. "You Can't Run from Love" was the follow-up to Rabbitt's duet with Crystal Gayle, "You and I". The song was Rabbitt's twelfth number one single on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart. "You Can't Run From Love" peaked at number fifty-five on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart. It was written by Rabbitt, Even Stevens and David Malloy.
"Our Love Is on the Faultline" is a song written by Reece Kirk, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in March 1983 as the second single from the album True Love. The song was Gayle's eleventh number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart.
"Baby, What About You" is a song written by Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in June 1983 as the third single from the album True Love. The song was Gayle's twelfth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart.
"Turning Away" is a song written by Tim Krekel, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in June 1984 as the third single from the album Cage the Songbird. The song was Gayle's fourteenth number one single on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart.
"I'll Do It All Over Again" is a song written by Bob McDill and Wayland Holyfield, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in March 1977 as the third single from the album Crystal. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"Me Against the Night" is a song written by Pat Bunch, Pam Rose, and Mary Ann Kennedy, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in October 1984 as the fourth single from the album Cage the Songbird. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"The Blue Side" is a song written by David Lasley and Allee Willis, and recorded by American country music artist Crystal Gayle. It was released in May 1980 as the third single from the album Miss the Mississippi. The song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks.
American country artist Crystal Gayle has released 15 music videos and 68 singles, including three as a collaborative artist, five as a featured artist, and six promos. Gayle's debut single was 1970's "I've Cried " via Decca Records, which reached #23 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Encouraged by her sister to develop her own musical style, Gayle signed with United Artists Records where she began recording country pop material. That year "Wrong Road Again" reached #6 on the country chart, launching several major hits including "I'll Do It All Over Again" and her first #1 hit, "I'll Get Over You". She released "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" in 1977 which became her signature song and brought her crossover pop success. It topped the country chart, reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became an international hit. Its success elevated her career and was followed by three more #1 country singles: "Ready for the Times to Get Better", "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For", and the top-twenty pop hit "Talking in Your Sleep".
Graham Hamilton Lyle is a Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer.
