Tanya Tucker entered the country music scene at the very young age of thirteen. Still, she managed to quickly captivate listeners from different sides of the world. Those who tuned in and heard Tanya Tucker songs playing on the radio were immediately drawn to her powerful, raspy voice.
And today, we’re going to take a look at some of her greatest hits! Keep on scrolling below to find out!
1. Lizzie and the Rainman
Inspired by the 1956 romantic film The Rainmaker, the narrative song tells the story of a rainmaker who visited a drought-stricken town in Texas and ended up persuading a skeptical local woman named Lizzie Cooper.
The song did not only hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, but it also became Tanya Tucker‘s first single to make it to Pop chart’s Top 40 – peaking at No. 37 on Billboard Hot 100.
2. Delta Dawn
The song became Tucker’s golden ticket to stardom. Tucker released “Delta Dawn” as a debut single when she was only thirteen – and at that very moment, she proved she’s in no way a short-lived child star.
Despite the song’s mature content, it became an instant hit for the young Tucker. Her version ranked No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and scraped the bottom of Billboard Hot 100.
3. One Love at a Time
After taking a two-year break from stardom, Tucker made a strong comeback with the release of “One Love at a Time,” which finds Tucker dating two men at the same time.
Having two lovers made her excited – not until she needed to remember their birthdays and juggle her free time with them. Things are now wearing her out, and she’s starting to realize you can never love two people all at once. Now, she needs to decide whom she’s going to keep.
4. What’s Your Mama’s Name
Tucker continued her string of hits in her early glory with “What’s Your Mama’s Name”, which tells the story of a man named Buford Wilson. Wilson wanders Memphis, Tennessee, for decades in search of his lost love. Until one day, he came across a green-eyed little girl and frantically asked her about her mother’s name.
The song came to a tragic end with Wilson being arrested for enticing a child and was later on found dead. People then discovered a note in his ragged coat, which revealed that he was simply trying to find his lost daughter all along.
This heartbreaking ballad became Tucker’s first No. 1 hit of her career.
5. Blood Red and Goin’ Down
Tucker continued to show her love for the tragic narrative in “Blood Red and Goin’ Down,” which tells the story of a young girl tagging along with her father to a barroom where her mother and her mother’s lover are drinking. The song ended unfortunately, with her father murdering the pair.
It went on to become another No. 1 hit for Tucker.
6. Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)
Here’s Tucker’s third consecutive No. 1 hit on country radio. Written by fellow country superstar David Allan Coe, “Would You Lay with Me” finds Tucker asking her lover a series of questions to test his loyalty and to ensure that he will continue to stay by her side – whatever it takes.
7. The Man That Turned My Mama On
Written by country singer-songwriter Ed Bruce, the poignant ballad tells the story of a girl whose father died of illness when she was only five. She longs to have known more about him, who was a traveling salesman her mother married in a heartbeat.
8. Soon
Tucker’s fondness for unusual material landed her this song written by Bob Regan and Casey Kelly. It tells the tale of a woman having an affair with a married man, who tells her he will soon be free to be with her. However, soon slowly turns to never. In the end, she gave him a taste of his own medicine.
9. Strong Enough to Bend
Written by Songwriters Hall of Famers Beth Nielsen Chapman and Don Schlitz, “Strong Enough to Bend” is for anyone who believes in the power of lasting love – and there’s no other better fit for the song’s romantic message than Tucker’s naturally rough tone. You’ll definitely find yourself lifted by the way she delivers the lyrics.
10. Two Sparrows in a Hurricane
This early 1990s hit of Tucker finds her holding fast to a loved one through life’s ups and downs. “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” is indeed a welcome return to the kind of narrative ballad that made Tucker infamous – while this time, with a happy ending.
Never Miss These Tanya Tucker Songs
Indeed, Tanya Tucker keeps earning new hits for many decades. Here are some more of her best songs you need to listen to.
So, which among these are your favorite Tanya Tucker songs?
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