Since she was young, Barbara Mandrell has always been a star of her own. Born into a family of musicians, she grew up with a wealth of knowledge about playing many different instruments, which helped her succeed in her music career. It should also be noted that she was able to blend R&B soul with country influences, which may be why many listeners found Barbara Mandrell songs to be enjoyable to listen to.
At the age of 13, Barbara Mandrell received her first opportunity to play after country music performers spotted her talent in playing the steel guitar. She was able to gain access to other performing fields thanks to that chance. She also started acting and writing alongside her music endeavors. She entered into a contract with Columbia Records, which enabled her to create hit songs like “Tonight My Baby’s Coming Home,” which reached the top of the charts.
Since she is indeed one of the finest gems of country music, here are 10 of Barbara Mandrell songs that you guys should check out.
1. I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool
When the genre wasn’t as well-known, Barbara is described in the song as being country. As a result, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” rose to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in July 1981 and hit other charts like Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The CMA and ACM Award organizations nominated the song for Single of the Year in 1981. Making it one of the greatest Barbara Mandrell Songs.
2. Happy Birthday Dear Heartache
The song is a somber commemoration of a breakup’s first anniversary, set in the context of a birthday party. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. She ends the song with the bittersweet line, “Same time, same place next year.”
3. Tonight My Baby’s Coming Home
Kurt Wolff claims that the song’s inspiration was a wife who was “lusting” after her truck-driving husband. Glenn Sutton and Billy Sherrill wrote the song’s lyrics. It was one of Mandrell’s early single releases in her career and among her first to reach the top ten on the American country songs chart.
4. Wish You Were Here
The song tells the story of a heartbroken girl who longs for her lover to be by her side in difficult times, as it is implied by the song’s title. The song’s U.S. chart high was number two. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
5. The Best of Strangers
Nothing feels so painful than being with someone for whom you don’t have feelings anymore. And this song tells the same story. Even those who were once deeply in love may change from being the best of lovers and friends to the best of strangers, even if they share a roof.
6. One of A Kind Pair of Fools
Although the song has an upbeat rhythm, it conveys a very depressing story since it involves one man cheating on two women. As the lyrics would depict, they were one-of-a-kind pairs of fools. “One of a Kind Pair of Fools” spent a total of fourteen weeks at the top of the country singles chart, reaching number one for one week.
7. In Times Like These
This song talks of the working class overcoming so many trials, both financially and personally. And since a lot of people can relate to the song, it reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
8. Married, But Not to Each Other
The song explores both sides of a couple’s struggle to keep their extramarital relationships a secret so as not to offend one another. The song was originally performed by LaSalle in 1976, not Barbara. And Barbara’s version, which she covered in 1977, peaked at number five on the American country chart.
9. Fast Lanes and Country Roads
In the song, the girl wants to travel on a country road where the pace is slow instead of a congested fast lane. We might infer from it that it is crucial to move slowly, especially in life. The song also reached number 4 on the Billboard hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
10. Crackers
The song is about a woman who begs her ex-lover, who left her after a series of arguments, to return because being alone is too much for her to bear. It peaked at number three in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles and Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts.
There is no doubt that Barbara Mandrell is one of the best that the industry has had. She has expanded the boundaries of country music throughout her career. She is the living definition of being born to be a star.
That’s why here are more Barbara Mandrell songs you should also listen to.
- Standing Room Only
- White Christmas
- The Wayward Wind
- The Midnight Oil
- Years
- Almost Persuaded
- Give a Little, Take a Little
- O Holy Night
- Sleeping Single in A Double Bed
- Woman to Woman
If you’re having trouble coming up with what songs to listen to today. You won’t be sorry if you choose any of Barbara Mandrell’s songs on the above list.
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