The 1970s brought us some of the most enduring hit country songs of all time. Classics like “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain,” “Jolene,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and many more were hits during the decade and are still popular today. However, not every hit song from the decade enjoys the same enduring popularity. For one reason or another, most of the hit country songs from the 1970s have disappeared without a trace.
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Just because a song gets lost to the sands of time doesn’t mean it’s not as good as some that have more longevity. Today, we’re going to look at four songs from country legends that topped the charts in the 1970s that deserve a second look. Get ready to expand your old-school country playlist.
1. “A Week in County Jail” by Tom T. Hall
Nicknamed ”The Storyteller” for good reason, Tom T. Hall wrote a wealth of timeless songs. “Tall, Tall Trees,” “Faster Horses,” “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” and plenty more came from Hall’s pen. He also had the first No. 1 country song of the 1970s with “A Week in County Jail,” a song that doesn’t get talked about enough today.
Released in 1969, this song about a man who gets stuck in a tiny county jail for a week for speeding topped the country chart for the first week of 1970. It’s a fun tune and showcases Hall’s storytelling ability almost perfectly. The down-on-his-luck character who keeps a sense of humor and pulls off a small win in the end is a hallmark of his writing, and this is a great example of that.
2. “Joshua” by Dolly Parton
Country icon Dolly Parton truly came into her own as an artist in the 1970s with a stack of hit songs. “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You” are among the most popular and best-known songs in the genre’s history. However, many tend to overlook her first No. 1 single, “Joshua.” She released the song in 1970, and it topped the country chart early in 1971. It also brought Parton her first Grammy nomination.
This is more than a landmark release for a legendary artist. It’s also a great tune. Parton flexes her storytelling talent with this song about a young woman who pushes off warnings about the mean old hermit named Joshua. She wonders to his home, the two hit it off, and the narrative continues from there.
3. “Trouble in Paradise” by Loretta Lynn
Country legend Loretta Lynn released a wealth of hit country songs in the 1960s and 1970s that still get talked about. We’re all familiar with “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Fist City,” “The Pill,” and many others. However, “Trouble in Paradise” seemingly fell through the cracks somewhere along the line. Lynn released the Kenny O’Dell-penned track in 1974, and it topped the country chart for a week.
Lynn didn’t write this song, but it fits perfectly into her catalog. In some ways, it’s a nicer version of “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” in that it’s about a woman fighting to keep her man who other women are tempting. However, this song sees her more focused on giving him more than any other woman can, than taunting the temptress trying to steal him away.
4. “Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For” by Crystal Gayle
Written by Mark True, Crystal Gayle released this song in 1979 and it topped the country chart for two weeks. It gave Gayle her sixth chart-topping single. It’s not just this song that doesn’t get talked about enough anymore. Gayle doesn’t get the love she deserves from the country music world despite still being active.
“Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For” is a great song that touches on familiar subject matter while telling a fresh story. Most songs about infidelity end with revenge or the relationship falling apart. This one takes a look at the aftermath. The rate perspective alone makes it worth revisiting. Combine that with Gayle’s voice and you’ve got a song that should still be in heavy rotation. The true definition of a 1970s country song that—undeservingly—disappeared from most playlists.
Featured Image by Nancy Barr Brandon/Mediapunch/Shutterstock
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