The Ten Most Influential Country Music Songs of the 1960s: A Decade of Legendary Tunes

The 1960s were a transformative era for country music, with numerous artists and songs making a lasting impact on the genre. From the emergence of the Nashville Sound to the rise of outlaw country, the 1960s saw the release of iconic songs that would shape the course of country music history. In this article, we delve into the ten most influential country music songs released in the 1960s, exploring both the songs and the talented artists behind them.

"Ring of Fire" - Johnny Cash (1963):

One of the most recognizable country songs of all time, "Ring of Fire" was co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. This fiery track became a signature song for Johnny Cash, renowned for its distinct mariachi-style horn arrangement and Cash's deep, charismatic vocals. The song's passionate lyrics and memorable melody earned it a permanent place in country music's hall of fame.

"Stand by Your Man" - Tammy Wynette (1968):

Written by Billy Sherrill and Tammy Wynette, "Stand by Your Man" has become an enduring anthem for loyalty and devotion. With her rich and emotive voice, Wynette delivers heartfelt lyrics that struck a chord with audiences, propelling the song to become a classic in the country music canon.

"Crazy" - Patsy Cline (1961):

Penned by Willie Nelson, "Crazy" became a career-defining hit for the legendary Patsy Cline. Her soulful rendition of this timeless ballad showcased her remarkable vocal range and vulnerability, solidifying her status as one of country music's greatest voices.

"Hello Darlin'" - Conway Twitty (1969):

Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" marked a significant turning point in his career, as it became his first chart-topping hit. With its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, the song showcased Twitty's undeniable talent as a vocalist and cemented his place as a leading figure in the genre.

"Folsom Prison Blues" - Johnny Cash (1968):

"Folsom Prison Blues" showcased Johnny Cash's rebellious spirit and storytelling prowess. The live recording of his performance at Folsom State Prison resonated with audiences, capturing the raw energy and emotion of the moment. Cash's distinctive voice and edgy persona made this song a timeless classic.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" - Loretta Lynn (1969):

As the title track of Loretta Lynn's autobiography and subsequent film, "Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the inspiring tale of her humble beginnings. Lynn's honest and relatable lyrics, combined with her powerful vocals, struck a chord with listeners and solidified her position as one of country music's greatest storytellers.

"Mama Tried" - Merle Haggard (1968):

Written and performed by Merle Haggard, "Mama Tried" became an anthem for the rebellious spirit of the era. With its honest portrayal of a troubled past and yearning for redemption, the song resonated with audiences and established Haggard as a force to be reckoned with in country music.

"Harper Valley P.T.A." - Jeannie C. Riley (1968):

With its sassy lyrics and catchy melody, "Harper Valley P.T.A." became a groundbreaking hit for Jeannie C. Riley. The song tells the story of a brave woman confronting small-town hypocrisy, resonating with audiences and making Riley the first female artist to top both the country and pop charts simultaneously.

"Big Bad John" - Jimmy Dean (1961):

"Big Bad John" marked Jimmy Dean's breakthrough hit, capturing the imagination of listeners with its vivid storytelling. The song's deep, booming vocals and powerful narrative of a heroic miner made it a classic in the country music landscape, earning Dean both critical acclaim and commercial success.

"El Paso" - Marty Robbins (1960):

Marty Robbins' epic ballad, "El Paso," showcases his ability to craft intricate and captivating story-songs. The song tells the tale of a cowboy's ill-fated love affair, blending elements of country and Western music to create a masterpiece that remains a staple of the genre.

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The 1960s were a transformative decade for country music, witnessing the emergence of new styles and the rise of legendary artists. The twelve influential songs highlighted in this article, from Johnny Cash's captivating performances to Loretta Lynn's storytelling prowess, shaped the genre's trajectory and left an indelible mark on the hearts of listeners. These songs continue to resonate with audiences, serving as a testament to the enduring power and timeless appeal of country music.

Legendary Songwriter Curly Putnam Passes Away

K.F. Raizor, author of the website Raizor's Edge and the book We Can't Sing and We Ain't Funny: The World of Homer and Jethro is our guest writer today on That Nashville Sound. She's ever so gracious to provide wonderful tributes to honor those to whom the music we treasure just wouldn't be the same without. Thank you, K.F.

And yet again we mourn as another legend passes.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Curly Putman died Sunday (10/30) in Lebanon, Tennessee (a suburb of Nashville) after a lengthy illness.

Claude Putman Jr. was born in Alabama and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge in the Navy.  Nicknamed "Junior" and later "Curly," Putman moved to Nashville in 1964 and was discovered by Roger Miller.  Miller introduced him to Tree Publishing executive Buddy Killen, who signed Putman as a song plugger and a songwriter.

And oh, did he write songs.  In 1966 his mournful ballad "Green, Green Grass of Home" was a huge hit in country for Porter Wagoner and in pop for Tom Jones.  The brilliant story song was about a man celebrating his lovely hometown and his girlfriend only to awaken and discover that he was dreaming because he is a condemned man, getting ready to die at daybreak.  At the conclusion of the song the man promises, "They'll all come to see me 'neath the shade of the old oak tree as they lay me 'neath the green, green grass of home."

If that wasn't powerful enough a song to unleash on country music, Putman also co-wrote (with Bobby Braddock) what many consider THE definitive sad song in country music:  "He Stopped Loving Her Today."  Braddock, the subject of a "Poets and Prophets" interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame in the mid-2000s, detailed how Putman helped on another classic song, "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," saying that Putman told Braddock no one was interested in a song that sad with such an upbeat tempo and suggested that Braddock slow the song down.  In return for the advice, Braddock listed Putman as co-writer.

Putman was great at story songs, many with a sad twist (such as Tanya Tucker's "Blood Red and Going Down," about a girl who is dragged along by her father on a vengeful hunt for the cheating wife, and the David Houston/Tammy Wynette duet "My Elusive Dreams," about a man who keeps the family moving and endures the death of their child).  He also gave us songs such as Dolly Parton's breakout hit "Dumb Blonde" and T.G. Sheppard's "War Is Hell (On the Homefront, Too)."

Curly Putman also bears the distinction of being one of the very few, if not the only, country music songwriter to be the subject of a rock song.  In 1974 Paul and Linda McCartney and their children visited Nashville for a recording session and stayed at Putman's farm.  In celebration of his time there, McCartney named "Junior's Farm" after Putman.  (That recording session in Nashville also yielded a minor country hit for McCartney, "Sally G.")

Putman was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976.  Sadly, his deserved Country Music Hall of Fame induction, when it comes, will have to be posthumous.

Farewell to Curly Putman, who was 85.

Uncovered Has Shawn Colvin Covering The Likes Of Tammy Wynette and Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

Artist: Shawn Colvin
Album: Uncovered
Label: Fantasy Records
Release date: Sept. 25, 2015

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin follows up her 2012 album All Fall Down, with Uncovered, a collection of 12 cover songs from Fantasy Records. On Uncovered, Colvin tackles some unexpected choices from great songwriters, including country music stalwarts Tammy Wynette and Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

"Some of these songs I knew how to play, others I learned for the purpose of recording this album. Until you learn a song, you don't know if you can bring anything to it." She continues, "Twenty-one years later, even though I am primarily known as the composer of my material, I've never tired of learning covers, and I had more than a few in the hopper. It seemed fitting to get together with Steuart once more and record a follow-up to Cover Girl."

Uncovered closes with "Til I Get It Right," the Red Lane-Larry Henley composition taken to the top of the country charts by Tammy Wynette in 1973. It is this last song, a statement of controlled passion and resilience that is presented more faithfully to the original recording than any of Uncovered's other numbers. It also encapsulates the intent of the album as a whole.

"The title Uncovered has a few meanings," Shawn reveals. "It means uncovering as in an excavation, and uncovered in the sense of vulnerability. This album was made very spontaneously, we didn't over-think or overdub it. One of my friends said to me, 'You sound so exposed on this record!' and I think that's the thematic key, vulnerability."
1. Tougher than the Rest (Bruce Springsteen)
2. American Tune (Paul Simon)
3. Baker Street feat. David Crosby (Gerry Rafferty)
4. Hold On (Kathleen Brenan-Tom Waits)
5. I Used To Be A King (Graham Nash)
6. Private Universe (Neil Finn)
7. Heaven Is Ten Zillion Light Years Away (Stevie Wonder)
8. Gimme A Little Sign feat. Marc Cohn (Jerry Winn-Alfred Smith-Joseph Hooven)
9. Acadian Driftwood (Robbie Robertson)
10. Lodi (John C. Fogerty)
11. Not A Drop of Rain (Robert Earl Keen Jr.)
12. ‘Till I Get it Right (Tammy Wynette)
 

Tammy Wynette Exhibit At Country Music Hall of Fame

The dramatic life and remarkable career of one of country's greatest singers, Tammy Wynette, opened up early in September and is shown off in this exhibit. Drawing from a wealth of personal and professional memorabilia, the exhibit will tell the powerful story of the ladylike but tough woman whose talent and determination took her from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the heights of stardom with hits like "Stand By Your Man."

Tammy Wynette Next To Get Hall Of Fame Feature

Like her counterparts Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette wrote and sang unflinchingly honest and autobiographical songs about suffering and heartbreak, strength and survival. Her powerful yet plaintive voice provided the soundtrack for a generation of American women struggling to reconcile new freedoms and traditional expectations, and her enduring body of work - including 20 #1 hits - continues to resonate with music fans worldwide. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will pay tribute to this indelible artist with the cameo exhibition Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music, Presented by Great American Country Television Network, which opens in the Museum's East Gallery on August 20, 2010, and runs through June 2011.

"Tammy Wynette was a true steel magnolia, a daughter of the South whose ladylike appearance and slight physical stature belied the magnitude of her grit, determination and talent," said Museum Director Kyle Young. "Throughout her career, her personal and professional lives were indistinguishably interwoven, resulting in achingly honest recordings and performances to which fans could relate. She helped redefine what it means to be a female country singer. Her death at age 55 came far too soon, but Tammy left behind a musical canon that is among the strongest and most influential in American music history."

Born Virginia Wynette Pugh on May 5, 1942, the Mississippi native was raised by her cotton-farming grandparents. Her father, who died of a brain tumor before Wynette turned one, had once attempted a singing career; Wynette inherited both his collection of musical instruments and his desire to perform. As a child and young teen, Wynette, whose mother had taken a job at a Memphis defense plant, attended school, helped her grandparents pick cotton and in her spare time took music lessons and sang with two friends on a local gospel radio show.

At 17, Wynette married Euple Byrd, with whom she had three daughters. With no steady employment, Byrd moved the family around, and Wynette held various jobs, including a stint as barmaid and singer in Memphis. She also got her beautician's license. (Wynette famously renewed the license every year for the rest of her life and kept it as an economic Plan B.) Wynette's marriage to Byrd was not a happy one, and the couple divorced in 1965. That same year, Wynette was discovered by Birmingham TV host Country Boy Eddie, and she performed on his show several times. After landing a brief tour with Porter Wagoner, Wynette moved to Music City in 1966.

In Nashville, Wynette met singer-songwriter Don Chapel, who recognized her singing and writing talents and helped her develop them. At the same time, she visited the office of Epic Records executive and producer-songwriter Billy Sherrill to pitch him some songs. Sherrill was impressed with Wynette's voice and signed her to Epic. The producer, however, was not enamored of her name and suggested a catchier moniker, 'Tammy.' The Sherrill-Wynette collaboration yielded instant success: Wynette's first single, "Apartment #9," made an impact on the country charts and her follow-up, "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," was a Top Five hit. Two #1 hits soon followed: "My Elusive Dreams," a duet with David Houston, and "I Don't Wanna Play House," for which Wynette won a Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy award.

Wynette married Chapel in 1967 and divorced him the following year; the dissolution coincided with another Wynette smash, "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." Also in 1968, Tammy released what would become her signature song: "Stand by Your Man." The anthem, co-written by Wynette and Sherrill, was the most controversial and most enduring song of Wynette's career. Released at the height of the United States' social unrest and upheaval, and as the women's rights movement gained traction, the song - a #1 country smash and a Top 20 hit on the pop charts - was vilified by feminists and progressives. The already twice-divorced Wynette, however, had not intended the lyrics as a call to submission, but instead as an expression of a romantic ideal. On the heels of the song's success, Wynette was awarded the first of three consecutive CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards; "Stand by Your Man" also netted Tammy her second Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy.

Wynette's next marriage, to fellow superstar George Jones, yielded a daughter and a series of now classic duet hits, including "Golden Ring," "We're Gonna Hold On" and "(We're Not) The Jet Set." The tumultuous relationship ended in divorce in 1975 and was followed by a brief six-week marriage to Michael Tomlin in 1976. Wynette married songwriter-producer George Richey in 1978 and she remained with him for the rest of her life.

While Wynette's chart hits waned in the 1980s, she continued to tour successfully; she also began recording with numerous other artists. Her suprising 1992 collaboration with British duo KLF, "Justified and Ancient," became an international hit and put Wynette into rotation on MTV. In 1993, Wynette teamed with Lynn and Parton for the hit album Honky Tonk Angels. Her next release, Without Walls, was a collection of duets featuring Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Sting and others. Wynette reteamed with Jones in 1995 for another album of duets, One.

New Tammy Wynette Biography Hits Shelves

The first full-scale biography of the enduring first lady of country music has been written and hits shelves this March. The new book is called Tammy Wynette- Tragic Country Queen and is written by Jimmy McDonough.

From the publisher:

The twentieth century had three great female singers who plumbed the darkest corners of their hearts and transformed private grief into public dramas. In opera, there was the unsurpassed Maria Callas. In jazz, the tormented Billie Holiday. And in country music, there was Tammy Wynette.

"Stand by Your Man," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "Take Me to Your World" are but a few highlights of Tammy's staggering musical legacy, all sung with a voice that became the touchtone for women's vulnerability, disillusionment, strength, and endurance.

In Tammy Wynette, bestselling biographer Jimmy McDonough tells the story of the small-town girl who grew up to be the woman behind the microphone, whose meteoric rise led to a decades-long career full of tragedy and triumph. Through a high-profile marriage and divorce, her dreadful battle with addiction and illness, and the struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving Nashville, Tammy turned a brave smile toward the world and churned out masterful hit songs though her life resembled the most heartbreaking among them.

Tammy Wynette is an intimate portrait of a music icon, the Queen of Heartbreak, whose powerful voice simultaneously evoked universal pain and longing even as it belied her own.

Country Music Hall Of Fame Welcomes Tammy Wynette Collection

The entire collection of professional memorabilia documenting the stellar career of Tammy Wynette has arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The move was facilitated by George Richey, Wynette’s widower, and Wanda Williams, after numerous discussions with the Museum.

Among the 14 ultra-feminine stage costumes, all dating from the latter years of her career, are the red jacket trimmed in gold brocade that Wynette wore when she sang “Stand by Your Man” with Lyle Lovett on NBC’s Tonight Show in 1993. The collection includes her trademark beaded jackets, gowns and jumpsuits, most created by fashion designers Jeff Billings and Lillie Rubin.

A crate of awards memorializing Wynette’s remarkable contributions to country music includes Grammys for “I Don’t Wanna Play House” (1967) and “Stand by Your Man” (1969); CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards for 1968, 1969 and 1970; and her ACM Pioneer Award (2000).

Among the framed letters and notes are messages from Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. One of the more unusual pieces is a lyric sheet for “A Woman’s Needs,” a song Tammy Wynette recorded with Elton John for his 1993 Duets album. The autograph reads: “The Queen of Country Meets the Queen of England. Love you, Elton John.”

“Like Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, Tammy’s songs articulated a woman’s perspective rarely found in country music at the time,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Like many of her peers in the Country Music Hall of Fame, she overcame the limitations of an impoverished rural childhood to become one of America’s defining cultural icons.

“These relics and accoutrements of her career are important touchstones worthy of study and interpretation, and that’s why we are so grateful to see them arrive here,” Young said. “Thanks to Wanda and George, we expect to have many of them on exhibit before the end of this year.”

“We are glad to have these extraordinary artifacts in a place where they will be respected and preserved, and where they can be returned to her fans,” Williams said. “Tammy would be thrilled.”

In the 1960s and ’70s, as a solo artist and as the duet partner of David Houston and later George Jones, Tammy Wynette racked 20 number one hits. Among her most well-known songs are “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Bad,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “Stand By Your Man” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.” Known as the First Lady of country music, Wynette died at age 55 in April 1998. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.