Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

The Best Tanya Tucker Songs That Navigated One Trend After Another Within Her Lengthy Career

Tanya Tucker Songs
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

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

From: Tanya Tucker (1975)

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

From: Delta Dawn (1972)

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

From: Girls Like Me (1986)

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

From: What’s Your Mama’s Name (1973)

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

From: What’s Your Mama’s Name (1973)

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)

From: Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone) (1974)

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

From: Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone) (1974)

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 

From: Soon (1994)

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

From: Strong Enough to Bend (1988)

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 

From: Can’t Run from Yourself (1992)

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.

  • Here’s Some Love
  • Just Another Love
  • I’ll Come Back as Another Woman
  • San Antonio Stroll
  • Highway Robbery
  • My Arms Stay Open All Night
  • Down to My Last Teardrop
  • (Without You) What Do I Do with Me
  • It’s a Little Too Late
  • You’ve Got Me to Hold On To
  • Love Me Like You Used To
  • Walking Shoes
  • Some Kind of Trouble
  • Don’t Believe My Heart Can Stand Another You
  • Can I See You Tonight

So, which among these are your favorite Tanya Tucker songs?

Latest Stories

Beyoncé smiles despite controversy over her AMA country nominations that overlooked Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert.

The 2025 AMAs Nominated Beyoncé for Country and Snubbed Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert

The American Music Awards just did what too many award shows continue to do: propped up a pop superstar in the country categories while ignoring the very artists keeping the ...

The Highwaymen—Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson—pose together, smiling and relaxed, showcasing their legendary camaraderie in country music.

Why The Highwaymen Refused Alcohol on Tour and What They Drank Instead

The Highwaymen were four of country music’s roughest legends, each with enough scars to write ten albums. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson made up the outlaw ...

Maren Morris and Taylor Swift pose together in glamorous outfits, symbolizing their connection as female artists navigating major shifts in and out of country music.

Maren Morris Turned to Taylor Swift and The Chicks for Advice on Leaving Country Music

If you’re gonna walk away from country music, you better know what you’re walking into. Maren Morris didn’t just pack up and go. Before she made the jump to pop ...

Phil Robertson and Miss Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty hold hands and sit side-by-side in a care facility, reunited after months apart due to health concerns.

Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Phil and Miss Kay Robertson Are Back Together After Months Apart

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson has officially reunited with his wife, Miss Kay, after months of being separated due to ongoing health issues—and the family says it’s been a major boost ...

Shania Twain, Keith Urban, and LeAnn Rimes are among the bold country artists who embraced vulnerability and body confidence in the spotlight.

7 Country Stars Who Stripped Down Without Regret

In a genre that still hides behind hymns and denim, these seven artists stripped down—and what they revealed wasn’t just skin. It was ownership, defiance, grief, and freedom—and country music ...

Carrie Underwood defends her decision during a heartfelt moment on American Idol, advocating for the show's first Easter faith special.

Carrie Underwood Fought for American Idol’s Easter Episode When Others Said It Was “Inappropriate”

For the first time in its 23-season history, American Idol aired a fully faith-based Easter special. It was bold and heartfelt—and according to a report from The Sun, it almost ...

Pope Francis smiles and waves in his traditional white robes during one of his final public appearances before his passing at age 88.

Pope Francis, the First Pope from the Americas, Dies at 88 After Easter Weekend

Just one day after delivering his final Easter address and meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and a defining spiritual voice ...

Jelly Roll cracks up alongside Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hudson while sharing a hilariously embarrassing onstage story on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Jelly Roll Overshared on National TV Telling Jennifer Hudson He Once Pooped His Pants While Performing on Stage

There’s oversharing, and then there’s Jelly Roll on The Jennifer Hudson Show, telling a national audience he once trusted a fart onstage and paid the price. It happened on April ...

Luke Bryan delivers an emotional Easter performance of “Jesus' Bout My Kids” on American Idol, capturing the raw heart of a father’s prayer.

Luke Bryan Sang “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” on Easter and Brought Real Emotion to American Idol

Luke Bryan has spent the last seven seasons of American Idol being the jokester, the crowd-pleaser, the guy who hands out compliments with a grin and a wink. But on ...

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake perform “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter special, bringing emotion and testimony to the stage.

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Idol Felt Like a Personal Testimony

Easter Sunday on American Idol brought faith to the forefront, but when Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake took the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” it stopped being a TV ...