Some Songs That Should Have Been Hits
Each time I hear a new country song that falls flat—not a rare occurrence these days—I think about all the tunes I loved the first time I encountered them but which may never surface again, simply because they didn’t chart or else charted so low and so briefly that they won’t ever be included in a greatest hits album.
Here are a few neglected titles that leaped to mind, prefaced by the names of the artists who recorded them: Randy Travis’ “Reasons I Cheat,” a somber self-assessment by a man on the edge; Charlie Moore’s “Best Female Actress Of The Year,” a withering blast at a faithless girlfriend (and a distractingly redundant title as well); the Stanley Brothers’ “The Fields Have Turned Brown,” bluegrass poetry and homesickness at its most eloquent; Gus Hardin’s “I’m Dancing As Fast As I Can,” a glimpse of a woman overwhelmed; the Country Gentlemen’s “Bringing Mary Home,” the gentlest ghost song ever written.
Also John Conlee’s “I’d Rather Have What We Had,” a celebration of “sneaking around” that was also cut by Loretta Lynn and Lee Ann Womack but which is more convincing as a man’s song; Marlow Tackett’s “I Know The Way To You By Heart,” a vivid, albeit forlorn presentation of love as a lifeline; Donna Ulisse’s “Trouble At The Door,” understated, unexpected and unparalleled; Dr. Hook’s “A Couple More Years,” the weary voice of amorous experience; Black Tie’s “Learning the Game,” blissful harmonies elevating an old, old subject; Gene Watson’s “Down Here On My Knees,” a plea only the hardest heart could resist.
And Pam Gadd’s image-rich tribute to a passing generation, “All The Old Men Are Gone”; Bruce Hauser & the Sawmill Creek Band’s “Let’s Do Something Old Fashioned,” which softly suggests that restraint might actually enhance love; Willie Rainsford’s torrid “No Relief In Sight”; and, finally, Ralph Stanley’s majestic masterpiece of wishful thinking, “Gloryland.”
Now what buried treasures have I overlooked? And, by the way, don’t you really miss Randy Travis?
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
OutlawSteph says:
I think Jim and Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys are overlooked in general. They are one of the great and original brother duos, up there with the Stanley Brothers and Osborne Brothers. Jim McReynolds’ crosspicking on the mandolin is imitated by mandolin and guitar flatpickers alike. Their songs When I Dream About the Southland and I Wish You Knew should have been big hits, if they were not. Jim, the high tenor and guitar player, passed away. Jesse is still out playing and teaching mandolin!
-Stephanie
OutlawSteph says:
Sorry.. that was Jesse McReynolds doing the crosspicking, not Jim.
ed morris says:
I agree with you totally, OS. Over the past several years, I’ve gotten to know Jesse fairly well. He’s overwhelmingly talented and an approachable, gentle person. His grandfather, Charles McReynolds, played on the fabled Bristol Sessions of 1927 that launched Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Jesse occasionally employs the fiddle that his grandfather used on those sessions. Jesse also played mandolin on the Doors’ The Soft Parade album. I guess my favorite J&J tune is “Are You Missing Me.”
OutlawSteph says:
That’s wonderful Ed. It’s heartwarming to know the country music legends haven’t all been forgotten despite the fact I don’t see them in the mainstream anymore. I think my favorite Jim and Jesse recordings are the Old Dominion Masters boxed set.
Another album that strikes me as a lost classic is The Gosdin Brothers - Sounds of Goodbye which has recently been reissued by Sundazed Records in an expanded cd. That is Vern Gosdin, of course, and his brother Rex. I like the Gosdin Brothers a lot as well on “The Hillmen” album with Chris Hillman on mandolin and Don Parmley on banjo.
-Stephanie
Jimmy “guitar” Gordon says:
Sadly, Big and Rich are not on this list. They stink!!
Tabitha says:
I was so glad to come across your article. I have heard Marlow Tackett’s music and most people do not even realize how many albums he has recorded. He too is a wonderful person and talented man that shoule have been recognized.
Your Uncle Dodge says:
Your mentioning of the Wyoming country classic band called Bruce Hauser and the Sawmill Creek Band is most refreshing. They had some wonderful music, though most were only regional hits. The best country song no one outside of the Equality State has ever heard is called Barely Getting There, Barely Gettin’ By from 1981. I was a broadcaster back then at the tender age of 17, but even then I recognized the traditional sound and lyrical painting of this underrated band.
Arzgrl says:
Yes I do miss Randy Travis, but I also very much miss Sawmill Creek. The fact that they never went national means that a lot of people missed out on some really great music.
tim says:
when i dream about the southland…saw jim and jesse do this on american music shop years ago great song have never been able to find recording anywhere…help
JANA FIREY says:
You really should print the lyrics of GUS HARDIN’S songs.
She was a fantastic singer, with so much soul in her music. She was a dear friend and I miss her so much. Her songs will go on forever. Just print the lyrics please!
Thanks,
Jana