List of Hot Country Singles number ones of 1973 explained

Hot Country Songs is a record chart that ranks the top-performing country music songs in the United States, published by Billboard magazine. In 1973, 36 different singles topped the chart, at the time published under the title Hot Country Singles, in 52 issues of the magazine. Chart placings were based on playlists submitted by country music radio stations and sales reports submitted by stores.[1]

At the start of the year, the number one song was "She's Got to Be a Saint" by Ray Price, which had reached number one the previous week,[2] and remained atop the chart for two weeks in 1973. Price returned to the top spot for a single week later in the year with "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me". This marked his final appearance at the top of the Hot Country Singles chart,[3] fifteen years after he had been at number one on the very first combined country sales and airplay chart published by Billboard.[4] [5] Conway Twitty spent the highest number of weeks at number one by any artist in 1973 with six, including one week at the top with a duet with Loretta Lynn. Twitty and Lynn had a run of success with duet recordings in the early 1970s alongside their ongoing solo careers,[6] and each had three number one singles during the year, tying with Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard for the most number ones by an artist. Despite being banned by some radio stations due to its lyrical content, Twitty's "You've Never Been This Far Before" spent three weeks at number one, tying for the longest unbroken run of the year with "The Most Beautiful Girl" by Charlie Rich.

Artists to reach number one for the first time in 1973 included Tanya Tucker, who took "What's Your Mama's Name" to the top spot at the age of 14.[7] Later in the year, another 14-year old, Marie Osmond, reached the top spot with "Paper Roses". She became the first female solo artist to top the chart with her debut single and set a new record as the youngest female artist to top the chart.[8] [9] A number of other artists achieved a first country number one in 1973. Joe Stampley was the first when he spent one week at the top of the chart with "Soul Song" in January.[10] In March, Cal Smith topped the chart for the first time with "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking",[11] as did Barbara Fairchild with "The Teddy Bear Song".[12] In April, Charlie Rich gained his first number one with "Behind Closed Doors", beginning a run of five consecutive first-time chart-toppers which also included Roy Clark with "Come Live with Me",[13] Tucker's "What's Your Mama's Name", "Satin Sheets" by Jeanne Pruett,[14] and Johnny Rodriguez's "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me".[15] In July, Kris Kristofferson, who had written a number of major hits including "Me and Bobby McGee", which had topped the Billboard Hot 100 for Janis Joplin,[16] achieved his only number one as a solo performer with "Why Me".[17] The final number one of the year was the aptly-titled "If We Make It Through December" by Merle Haggard.

Chart history

scope=colIssue datescope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=col class=unsortableRef.
scope=row"She's Got to Be a Saint"[18]
scope=row[19]
scope=row"Soul Song"[20]
scope=row""[21]
scope=row"She Needs Someone to Hold Her (When She Cries)"[22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row"I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me"[24]
scope=row"Rated "X""[25]
scope=row""[26]
scope=row""[27]
scope=row""[28]
scope=row[29]
scope=row"Keep Me in Mind"[30]
scope=row"Super Kind of Woman"[31]
scope=row""[32]
scope=row"Superman"[33]
scope=row"Behind Closed Doors"[34]
scope=row[35]
scope=row"Come Live with Me"[36]
scope=row"What's Your Mama's Name"[37]
scope=row"Satin Sheets"[38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row"You Always Come Back to Hurting Me"[40]
scope=row"Kids Say the Darndest Things"[41]
scope=row"Satin Sheets"[42]
scope=row"Don't Fight the Feelings of Love"[43]
scope=row"Why Me"[44]
scope=row"Love Is the Foundation"[45]
scope=row[46]
scope=row"You Were Always There"[47]
scope=row"Lord, Mr. Ford"[48]
scope=row"Trip to Heaven"[49]
scope=row"Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" & Conway Twitty[50]
scope=row"Everybody's Had the Blues"[51]
scope=row[52]
scope=row"You've Never Been This Far Before"[53]
scope=row[54]
scope=row[55]
scope=row"Blood Red and Goin' Down"[56]
scope=row"You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me"[57]
scope=row"Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico"[58]
scope=row[59]
scope=row"We're Gonna Hold On" & Tammy Wynette[60]
scope=row[61]
scope=row"Paper Roses"[62]
scope=row[63]
scope=row""[64]
scope=row[65]
scope=row[66]
scope=row"Amazing Love"[67]
scope=row"If We Make It Through December"[68]
scope=row[69]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Joel Whitburn

    . Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944 - 2005. ix. Joel Whitburn. Record Research. 2005. 9780898201659.

  2. Hot Country Songs chart for December 30, 1972 . Billboard . April 6, 2018 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045333/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1972-12-30 . live .
  3. Web site: Top 5 Ray Price Songs. Billy. Dukes. December 16, 2013. Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. April 6, 2018. July 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170707114529/http://tasteofcountry.com/top-ray-price-songs/. live.
  4. Book: Campbell, Michael. Popular Music in America: The Beat Goes On. 123. Cengage Learning. 2018. 9781337671965.
  5. Hot Country Songs chart for October 20, 1958 . Billboard . April 6, 2018 . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613051927/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1958-10-20 . live .
  6. Web site: Conway Twitty Biography & History. AllMusic. December 23, 2019. Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. December 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223083207/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/conway-twitty-mn0000780451/biography. live.
  7. Web site: Tanya Tucker Biography & History. AllMusic. Sandra. Brennan. April 4, 2018. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152900/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tanya-tucker-mn0000013384/biography. live.
  8. Web site: Marie Osmond Biography & History. AllMusic. Steve. Huey. April 4, 2018. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405092142/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marie-osmond-mn0000270060/biography. live.
  9. Flashback: See Kris Kristofferson Play Han Solo in Campy 'Star Wars'. Rolling Stone. Stephen L.. Betts. May 4, 2016. April 4, 2018. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405090632/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/flashback-see-kris-kristofferson-play-han-solo-in-campy-star-wars-20160504. live.
  10. Book: Contemporary Musicians. registration. 156. Gale Research, Incorporated. 2005. 9780787680640.
  11. Web site: Cal Smith Biography & History. AllMusic. James. Manheim. April 7, 2018. March 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220315154206/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cal-smith-mn0000647518/biography. live.
  12. Barbara Fairchild Chart History. Billboard. April 7, 2018. November 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118030122/https://www.billboard.com/artist/barbara-fairchild/chart-history/csi/. live.
  13. Web site: The ten best songs by Roy Clark. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073433/https://www.axs.com/the-ten-best-songs-by-roy-clark-49752. dead. April 8, 2018. AXS TV. Linda. McCloud. April 20, 2015. April 7, 2018.
  14. Web site: Jeanne Pruett Biography & History. AllMusic. Steve. Huey. April 7, 2018. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010441/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeanne-pruett-mn0000815386/biography. live.
  15. Web site: Johnny Rodriguez Biography & History. AllMusic. April 7, 2018. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010331/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-rodriguez-mn0000248081. live.
  16. Web site: Story Behind the Song: Kris Kristofferson,'Me and Bobby McGee'. The Boot. Townsquare Media. January 20, 2017. April 7, 2018. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010158/http://theboot.com/kris-kristofferson-me-and-bobby-mcgee-lyrics/. live.
  17. Web site: Top 10 Kris Kristofferson Songs. The Boot. Townsquare Media. June 22, 2017. April 7, 2018. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010254/http://theboot.com/top-kris-kristofferson-songs/. live.
  18. Hot Country Songs chart for January 6, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045336/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-01-06 . live .
  19. Hot Country Songs chart for January 13, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045338/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-01-13 . live .
  20. Hot Country Songs chart for January 20, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045341/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-01-20 . live .
  21. Hot Country Songs chart for January 27, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045343/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-01-27 . live .
  22. Hot Country Songs chart for February 3, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045345/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-02-03 . live .
  23. Hot Country Songs chart for February 10, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045348/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-02-10 . live .
  24. Hot Country Songs chart for February 17, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045353/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-02-17 . live .
  25. Hot Country Songs chart for February 24, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045355/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-02-24 . live .
  26. Hot Country Songs chart for March 3, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045358/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-03-03 . live .
  27. Hot Country Songs chart for March 10, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045401/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-03-10 . live .
  28. Hot Country Songs chart for March 17, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045404/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-03-17 . live .
  29. Hot Country Songs chart for March 24, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045408/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-03-24 . live .
  30. Hot Country Songs chart for March 31, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-03-31 . live .
  31. Hot Country Songs chart for April 7, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045414/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-04-07 . live .
  32. Hot Country Songs chart for April 14, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045417/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-04-14 . live .
  33. Hot Country Songs chart for April 21, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331094347/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-04-21 . live .
  34. Hot Country Songs chart for April 28, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045428/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-04-28 . live .
  35. Hot Country Songs chart for May 5, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045431/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-05-05 . live .
  36. Hot Country Songs chart for May 12, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045435/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-05-12 . live .
  37. News: Hot Country Songs chart for May 19, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045437/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-05-19 . live .
  38. News: Hot Country Songs chart for May 26, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045446/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-05-26 . live .
  39. Hot Country Songs chart for June 2, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045448/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-06-02 . live .
  40. Hot Country Songs chart for June 9, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045451/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-06-09 . live .
  41. Hot Country Songs chart for June 16, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045453/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-06-16 . live .
  42. Hot Country Songs chart for June 23, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045456/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-06-23 . live .
  43. Hot Country Songs chart for June 30, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045458/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-06-30 . live .
  44. Hot Country Songs chart for July 7, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . October 10, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161010192108/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-07-07 . live .
  45. News: Hot Country Songs chart for July 14, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045504/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-07-14 . live .
  46. Hot Country Songs chart for July 21, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045508/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-07-21 . live .
  47. Hot Country Songs chart for July 28, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045512/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-07-28 . live .
  48. Hot Country Songs chart for August 4, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045514/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-08-04 . live .
  49. Hot Country Songs chart for August 11, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045516/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-08-11 . live .
  50. Hot Country Songs chart for August 18, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045519/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-08-18 . live .
  51. Hot Country Songs chart for August 25, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045522/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-08-25 . live .
  52. Hot Country Songs chart for September 1, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045524/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-09-01 . live .
  53. Hot Country Songs chart for September 8, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331094350/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-09-08 . live .
  54. Hot Country Songs chart for September 15, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045534/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-09-15 . live .
  55. News: Hot Country Songs chart for September 22, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331094353/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-09-22 . live .
  56. Hot Country Songs chart for September 29, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045543/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-09-29 . live .
  57. Hot Country Songs chart for October 6, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045546/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-10-06 . live .
  58. Hot Country Songs chart for October 13, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045549/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-10-13 . live .
  59. Hot Country Songs chart for October 20, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045552/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-10-20 . live .
  60. Hot Country Songs chart for October 27, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045554/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-10-27 . live .
  61. Hot Country Songs chart for November 3, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045558/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-11-03 . live .
  62. Hot Country Songs chart for November 10, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045600/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-11-10 . live .
  63. Hot Country Songs chart for November 17, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045603/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-11-17 . live .
  64. Hot Country Songs chart for November 24, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . January 5, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170105181700/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-11-24 . live .
  65. Hot Country Songs chart for December 1, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045609/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-12-01 . live .
  66. Hot Country Songs chart for December 8, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045611/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-12-08 . live .
  67. Hot Country Songs chart for December 15, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045616/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-12-15 . live .
  68. Hot Country Songs chart for December 22, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045622/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-12-22 . live .
  69. Hot Country Songs chart for December 29, 1973 . Billboard . October 4, 2010 . March 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329045625/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1973-12-29 . live .

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