Dallas Frazier Songs

by

Arden Lambert

Updated

October 11, 2022

Updated

October 11, 2022

Updated

October 11, 2022

When it comes to the beauty and poetry of songwriters, there’s quite no one who did it quite like Dallas Frazier. From the 1960s and 1970s, Dallas Frazier songs became country hits for Charley Pride, George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tanya Tucker, and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Today, we are going to look back at some of the best country classics Frazier has gifted us. Keep on scrolling below to find out.

1. Elvira

From: Elvira (1966)

One of Dallas Frazier‘s best-known songs was none other than “Elvira,” which he wrote in 1966 and released as the title track of his solo debut album that year. While Rodney Crowell recorded the song over a decade later, it only became a smash hit with Oak Ridge Boys’ version in 1981. The country quartet’s recording of “Elvira” even won Single of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.

Contrary to what most people believe, the song’s title was actually not inspired by a woman’s name but by one of the streets in East Nashville, Tennessee.

2. If My Heart Had Windows

From: George Jones’ If My Heart Had Windows (1967)

George Jones recorded this country song written by Frazier on his album of the same name, which peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Over a decade later, Patty Loveless recorded her version, which was also a Top 10 country hit – the first of her career. Loveless also performed “If My Heart Had Windows” during her induction into the Grand Ole Opry.

3. Beneath Still Waters

From: George Jones’ My Country (1968)

One morning Frazier woke up to look out a window overlooking a river and was fascinated by how peaceful it looked under the fog that covered its surface. But then he remembered a friend who told him about its tides and undercurrents. The idea came to Frazer of how treacherous the water can be under that surface.

He found it similar to love, which he thought often looks great on the facet but underneath, it’s falling apart. That’s how “Beneath Still Waters” came to life, one of the biggest songs Frazier has ever written. It was covered by various artists, most notably George Jones and Emmylou Harris.

4. What’s Your Mama’s Name

From: Tanya Tucker’s What’s Your Mama’s Name (1973)

“What’s Your Mama’s Name” is about a man named Buford Wilson, who traveled as a young man searching for his old lover in New Orleans. He spent the next decade asking people about the woman’s whereabouts until he slowly became a drunkard old man. Sadly, the song ended when Wilson was found dead.

The poignant ballad was such a hit for Tanya Tucker, becoming her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

5. I Can’t Get There from Here

Released as a single by George Jones (1967)

The song is one of the long lists of tunes written by Frazier that was recorded by George Jones. Fascinatingly, “I Can’t Get There from Here” seems like it was torn from the pages of Jones’ diary. “It’s almost like he’s lived every minute of every word he sings,” country star Travis said. “There’s very few people who can do that.”

Indeed, Jones earned the reputation of filling Frazier’s words with a jaded authenticity. 

6. Fourteen Carat Mind

From: Gene Watson’s Old Loves Never Die (1981)

The moment Gene Watson heard the demo tape for “Fourteen Carat Mind,” which was recorded by Frazier himself, he knew he needed to cut it. It went on to become his only No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

7. I’m a People

Released as a single by George Jones (1966)

The song was perhaps one of the oddest novelties Frazier has ever written. “I’m a People” actually compares the apparently cheery way of life of monkeys at a zoo with the tedious human activity of securing employment.

The song was recorded by George Jones, and it reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

8. There Goes My Everything

From: Jack Greene’s There Goes My Everything (1966)

This song has now been considered a country music standard. It tells the story of a couple who are about to go their separate ways. However, the husband came to realize how much she meant to him now that he was about to lose her.

The poignant ballad has since been recorded by many artists, with Jack Greene being the most notable one. His version won several awards, including Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the first-ever Country Music Association Awards.

Some More Dallas Frazier Songs He Has Written And Recorded

While Dallas Frazier became one of the most coveted songwriters, he himself charted eight times in the country charts as a solo artist. Check out below some of the songs he recorded and released.

  • Space Command
  • Everybody Oughta Sing a Song
  • North Carolina
  • The Sunshine of My World
  • Big Mable Murphy
  • California Cotton Fields
  • The Birthmark Henry Thompson Talks About
  • I Hope I Like Mexico Blues
  • The Conspiracy of Homer Jones
  • Just a Little Bit of You
  • Especially for You
  • My Woman Up’t and Gone
  • She Wants to Be Good
  • My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me
  • High Steppin’ Mama
  • Let That Lonesome Fiddle Man Take the Lead
  • Where Did They Go, Lord?

So, what do you think of this list of Dallas Frazier songs?


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