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List of Hot Country Singles number ones of 1973

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A young woman with long blonde hair
Tanya Tucker had her first chart-topper in 1973 at the age of 14.

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,[6] 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",[13] beginning a run of five consecutive first-time chart-toppers which also included Roy Clark with "Come Live with Me",[14] Tucker's "What's Your Mama's Name", "Satin Sheets" by Jeanne Pruett,[15] and Johnny Rodriguez's "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me".[16] 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,[17] achieved his only number one as a solo performer with "Why Me".[18] The final number one of the year was the aptly-titled "If We Make It Through December" by Merle Haggard.

Chart history[edit]

A dark-skinned man wearing a tuxedo, singing into a microphone
Charley Pride had three number ones in 1973.
An old man with grey hair and beard, wearing a black shirt, playing a guitar
Kris Kristofferson (pictured in 2017) had already achieved considerable success as a songwriter for other acts, but in 1973 he gained his only number one as a solo singer.
A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a long yellow dress, singing into a microphone
Marie Osmond (pictured in 1981) became the youngest female singer to top the Hot Country chart.
A man with grey hair
Charlie Rich's "The Most Beautiful Girl" was not only a country number one but also topped the magazine's all-genre chart, the Hot 100.[13]
Issue date Title Artist(s) Ref.
January 6 "She's Got to Be a Saint" Ray Price [19]
January 13 [20]
January 20 "Soul Song" Joe Stampley [21]
January 27 "(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine" Tom T. Hall [22]
February 3 "She Needs Someone to Hold Her (When She Cries)" Conway Twitty [23]
February 10 [24]
February 17 "I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me" Merle Haggard [25]
February 24 "Rated "X"" Loretta Lynn [26]
March 3 "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" Cal Smith [27]
March 10 "'Til I Get It Right" Tammy Wynette [28]
March 17 "The Teddy Bear Song" Barbara Fairchild [29]
March 24 [30]
March 31 "Keep Me in Mind" Lynn Anderson [31]
April 7 "Super Kind of Woman" Freddie Hart [32]
April 14 "A Shoulder to Cry On" Charley Pride [33]
April 21 "Superman" Donna Fargo [34]
April 28 "Behind Closed Doors" Charlie Rich [35]
May 5 [36]
May 12 "Come Live with Me" Roy Clark [37]
May 19 "What's Your Mama's Name" Tanya Tucker [38]
May 26 "Satin Sheets" Jeanne Pruett [39]
June 2 [40]
June 9 "You Always Come Back to Hurting Me" Johnny Rodriguez [41]
June 16 "Kids Say the Darndest Things" Tammy Wynette [42]
June 23 "Satin Sheets" Jeanne Pruett [43]
June 30 "Don't Fight the Feelings of Love" Charley Pride [44]
July 7 "Why Me" Kris Kristofferson [45]
July 14 "Love Is the Foundation" Loretta Lynn [46]
July 21 [47]
July 28 "You Were Always There" Donna Fargo [48]
August 4 "Lord, Mr. Ford" Jerry Reed [49]
August 11 "Trip to Heaven" Freddie Hart [50]
August 18 "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty [51]
August 25 "Everybody's Had the Blues" Merle Haggard [52]
September 1 [53]
September 8 "You've Never Been This Far Before" Conway Twitty [54]
September 15 [55]
September 22 [56]
September 29 "Blood Red and Goin' Down" Tanya Tucker [57]
October 6 "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" Ray Price [58]
October 13 "Ridin' My Thumb to Mexico" Johnny Rodriguez [59]
October 20 [60]
October 27 "We're Gonna Hold On" George Jones & Tammy Wynette [61]
November 3 [62]
November 10 "Paper Roses" Marie Osmond [63]
November 17 [64]
November 24 "The Most Beautiful Girl" Charlie Rich [65]
December 1 [66]
December 8 [67]
December 15 "Amazing Love" Charley Pride [68]
December 22 "If We Make It Through December" Merle Haggard [69]
December 29 [70]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944–2005. Record Research. p. ix. ISBN 9780898201659.
  2. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 30, 1972". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Dukes, Billy (December 16, 2013). "Top 5 Ray Price Songs". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  4. ^ Campbell, Michael (2018). Popular Music in America: The Beat Goes On. Cengage Learning. p. 123. ISBN 9781337671965.
  5. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for October 20, 1958". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Conway Twitty Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Tanya Tucker Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  8. ^ Huey, Steve. "Marie Osmond Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  9. ^ Betts, Stephen L. (May 4, 2016). "Flashback: See Kris Kristofferson Play Han Solo in Campy 'Star Wars'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  10. ^ Contemporary Musicians. Gale Research, Incorporated. 2005. p. 156. ISBN 9780787680640.
  11. ^ Manheim, James. "Cal Smith Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  12. ^ "Barbara Fairchild Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Charlie Rich Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  14. ^ McCloud, Linda (April 20, 2015). "The ten best songs by Roy Clark". AXS TV. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  15. ^ Huey, Steve. "Jeanne Pruett Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "Johnny Rodriguez Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  17. ^ "Story Behind the Song: Kris Kristofferson,'Me and Bobby McGee'". The Boot. Townsquare Media. January 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  18. ^ "Top 10 Kris Kristofferson Songs". The Boot. Townsquare Media. June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for January 6, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  20. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for January 13, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  21. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for January 20, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  22. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for January 27, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  23. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for February 3, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  24. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for February 10, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  25. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for February 17, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  26. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for February 24, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  27. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for March 3, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  28. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for March 10, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  29. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for March 17, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  30. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for March 24, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  31. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for March 31, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  32. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for April 7, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  33. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for April 14, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  34. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for April 21, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  35. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for April 28, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  36. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for May 5, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  37. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for May 12, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  38. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for May 19, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  39. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for May 26, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  40. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for June 2, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  41. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for June 9, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  42. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for June 16, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  43. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for June 23, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  44. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for June 30, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  45. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for July 7, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  46. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for July 14, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  47. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for July 21, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  48. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for July 28, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  49. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for August 4, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  50. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for August 11, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  51. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for August 18, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  52. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for August 25, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  53. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for September 1, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  54. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for September 8, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  55. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for September 15, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  56. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for September 22, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  57. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for September 29, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  58. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for October 6, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  59. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for October 13, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  60. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for October 20, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  61. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for October 27, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  62. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for November 3, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  63. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for November 10, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  64. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for November 17, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  65. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for November 24, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  66. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 1, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  67. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 8, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  68. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 15, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  69. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 22, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  70. ^ "Hot Country Songs chart for December 29, 1973". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2010.

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