The Best 70s Country Music Hits
The Best 70s Country Music Hits is a blog dedicated to country music fans who love the hits of the 1970s. Featuring artist interviews, album reviews, and more.
Introduction
If you’re a fan of country music, then you probably have a soft spot for the hits of the 1970s. The decade saw the genre switch from its honky-tonk roots to a more pop sound, and there were plenty of fantastic tracks released as a result.
In this article, we’re going to countdown our picks for the best 70s country music hits. We’ll be including songs from artists like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and more. So sit back, relax, and let’s take a trip down memory lane with some of the best country tunes of the 1970s.
The Best Country Music Hits of the 1970s
The 1970s was a great decade for country music. There were many iconic country music hits that came out of this decade. Some of the best country music hits of the 1970s include “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Willie Nelson, and “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton. These are just a few of the great country music hits that came out of the 1970s.
“The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
“The Gambler” is a song written by Don Schlitz and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. It was released in October 1978 as a single from Rogers’ album of the same name. The song’s narrator describes an encounter on a train with a fellow gambler, who gives him advice on how to win at poker.
According to Schlitz, the song was inspired by a chat he had with Rogers on a train in 1978. Rogers had been telling Schlitz about his recent success with “Lucille”, and asked him if he had any new material. Schlitz told Rogers that he had been working on “The Gambler”, but wasn’t sure if it was any good. Rogers liked the song and agreed to record it.
“The Gambler” was recorded in September 1978 at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was released as a single in October 1978, reaching number one on the Billboard Country chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became one of Rogers’ signature hits and helped propel his album of the same name to number one on the Country chart and number five on the Billboard 200.
In 1979, “The Gambler” won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and the Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year. In 2004, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
One of the most iconic country songs of the 1970s, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was written by Ed Bruce and recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. The song became a huge hit, reaching #1 on the Country charts and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is often cited as an example of the Outlaw Country movement which was gaining popularity in the 1970s.
“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” by Waylon Jennings
“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” is a country song written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons, and recorded by Waylon Jennings. The song was released in October 1977 as the lead single from Waylon’s album Ol’ Waylon.
The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in early 1978, becoming Jennings’ ninth number-one single on that chart. The song was included in the soundtrack to the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. In 2009, it was named one of The 10 Best Country Songs of the 1970s by Americanae.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones
One of the most well-known country music hits of the 1970s, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was released in 1980 by George Jones. The song is a sad story about a man who loved a woman even after she was gone, and it resonated with audiences at the time. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and is often cited as one of the greatest country songs of all time.
“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s 1974 hit “I Will Always Love You” spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Country Music charts. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Whitney Houston, who took her version to the top of the pop charts in 1992.
Conclusion
The 1970s were a great decade for country music. So many classic hits were released that it’s hard to narrow down the best of the best. However, these 10 songs are some of the most iconic and well-loved country tunes of the 1970s. If you’re a fan of country music, you’re sure to enjoy these classics.
1. “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
2. “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings
3. “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
4. “Stand By Your Man” by Tammy Wynette
5. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones
6. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels Band
7. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta Lynn
8. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
9. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
10. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” by Hank Williams
