Southern Nights (song)
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| “Southern Nights” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Glen Campbell from the album Southern Nights |
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| A-side | "Southern Nights" | ||||
| B-side | "William Tell Overture" | ||||
| Released | January 1977 (U.S.) | ||||
| Format | 7" | ||||
| Recorded | 1976 | ||||
| Genre | Country | ||||
| Length | 3:00 | ||||
| Label | Capitol Records 4376 | ||||
| Writer(s) | Allen Toussaint | ||||
| Producer | Gary Klein | ||||
| Certification | Gold (RIAA) | ||||
| Glen Campbell singles chronology | |||||
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"Southern Nights" is a song written by Allen Toussaint and most famously recorded by country-pop singer Glen Campbell. The song enjoyed immense popularity with both country and pop audiences when Campbell covered it in 1977.
Contents |
[edit] Song history
Campbell had been a leader in crossover music during the 1960s and 1970s, and continued that trend when he recorded Toussaint's "Southern Nights." Toussaint recalled his memories of visiting relatives in the Louisiana backwoods when writing the song; often, while listening to stories from his elderly relatives, the young Toussaint would look up in the clear nighttime, star-filled sky.[1]
Campbell listened to Toussaint's recording of the song and identified with its lyrics, as it reminded him of his days as an Arkansas farm youth. "My dad told me when I was a kid, 'You're having the best time of your life, and you don't even known it.' Sure enough, he was right."[2]
After some modifications to the lyrics, Campbell recorded the song.[3]
[edit] Chart performance
Released in January 1977, "Southern Nights" immediately caught on with both country and pop audiences. The song spent the late winter and early spring climbling both the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Toward the end of March, the song spent two weeks at No. 1 on the country chart, and at the end of April, one week at No. 1 on the Hot 100. On both charts, it was Campbell's final No. 1 song - his fifth on the country chart, and second on the pop chart.
"Southern Nights" was Campbell's final Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. However, he would continue to enjoy success on the country chart, scoring Top 10 hits through the end of 1989.
[edit] Awards
"Southern Nights" was certified gold for sales of 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America. [3]
The song was nominated for Song of the Year in 1977 by the Country Music Association, but did not win.[4]
[edit] Succession
| Preceded by "She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory" by Charley Pride |
Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single by Glen Campbell March 19-March 26, 1977 |
Succeeded by "Lucille" by Kenny Rogers |
| Preceded by "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single by Glen Campbell April 30, 1977 |
Succeeded by "Hotel California" by The Eagles |
[edit] Sources
[edit] References
- ^ [1] Hogan, Ed, "Southern NIghts" on All Music Guide
- ^ Gilbert, Bob and Gary Theroux, "The Top Ten: 1956-Present," Pop Record Research, Fireside Books, Simon & Schuster, New York. 1982 (ISBN 0-671-43215-X)
- ^ Hogan.
- ^ [2] Country Music Association Awards database - 1977 nominees and winners.
[edit] See also
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Country Songs 1944-2005 - 6th Edition." 2006.
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006," 2007.
