With her iconic, stunning, and nearly floor-length hair, flawless voice, and effortless talent, Crystal Gayle has since become a country idol. Even today, fans look back at Crystal Gayle songs in awe.
Inspired by the success of her country superstar sister, Loretta Lynn, Gayle learned the guitar and began performing folk songs in high school and singing backing vocals in her brother’s band. However, her talent was far too off the charts to continue as a backup singer – so she started her own career and achieved global success that undoubtedly helped raise the profile of country music.
Now, let’s check out some of Crystal Gayle‘s greatest hits.
1. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
This worldwide hit is recognized as one of Gayle’s most popular songs. It was released as the sequel to her older sister Loretta Lynn’s “I’ve Cried the Blue Right Out Of My Eyes.” Not only did it rank No. 1 on the country chart, but it was also a huge crossover hit – peaking at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100 while reaching No. 4 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
“Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” also took home Grammy Awards for the categories Best Country Vocal and Best Country Song.
2. Talking in Your Sleep
Here’s another crossover smash by Gayle! Written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood, the song finds her lying awake at three o’clock in the morning. She knew it’s going to be another sleepless night as she listened to her husband talking in his sleep. It makes her wonder who’s the woman he’s making love to in his dreams.
3. Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For
“Why Have You Left the One You Left me For” was Gayle saying goodbye to the bluesy ballad style that she’s had been so successful for. Its tongue-twisting lyrics were a total change of pace from anything she had ever done. Still, it went on becoming Gayle’s another No. 1 hit on the country chart – where it stayed atop for two weeks.
It was also the first success for its songwriter Mark True, who wrote the song about his wife’s ex-fiancé.
4. I’ll Get Over You
Though Gayle got much help from her country superstar sister, it was absolutely “I’ll Get Over You” that became her golden ticket to stardom and helped her gain control of her career. The song became her first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and remains today as one of her best-known songs.
5. Wrong Road Again
While Gayle worked to set a name for herself in the world of country music, she joined heaps of country artists making their move into pop music during the mid-1970s. “Wrong Road Again” is one proof to that, featuring instruments that were not normally used in country music. While it failed to cross over into the pop charts, it became Gayle’s first Top Ten single.
6. Somebody Loves You
Here’s another memorable piece by Gayle where she finds herself endlessly thinking of her lover, who has since gone away. Unfortunately, he left such a challenging trail for her to find him. She revealed she tried reaching him through mail and telephone, but to no avail. Still, she has declared her great love for him.
7. Half the Way
When Gayle signed with Columbia Records in early 1979, she immediately began recording for her new label – kicking things off with “Half the Way.” Just like her previous recordings, the song’s up-tempo sound and the soft rock-sounding tune were a total hit! In addition to reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, it also ranked No. 15 on Billboard Hot 100.
8. ‘Til I Gain Control Again
Written by country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, “Til I Gain Control Again” was first recorded by Emmylou Harris in 1975. However, it’s more popular being the No. 1 country hit recorded by Gayle seven years later.
Since then, it has been recorded by various notable artists – including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Bobby Bare.
9. Makin’ Up for Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers’ Song)
In the mid-1980s, Gayle kickstarted her collaboration with singer Gary Morris that spanned two years.
The duo released their first duet album, What If We Fall in Love? in 1986 – which spawned a slew of hits, including this song from the CBS TV series Dallas. “Makin’ Up for Lost Time” is the most successful country hit for the duo, climbing all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
10. You and I
For this romantic ballad, Gayle joined forces with one of the biggest country stars in the early 1980s, Eddie Rabbit. It became the duo’s biggest crossover hit – having peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Some More Of The Best Crystal Gayle Songs
Indeed, Crystal Gayle is definitely one of the most popular and widely recognized female country stars of her era. Here are some more of her hits that deserve a listen.
So, which among these Crystal Gayle songs are your favorites?
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