Country Music History: Glen Campbell’s Southern Nights is #1

It was on this day 43 years ago that Glen Campbell's unique and nostalgic Southern Nights went to number one on the Country Charts. Here are some interesting facts you might not know about one of Glen Campbell's best songs:

• Glen Campbell recorded this because it reminded him of his childhood. He grew up in rural Arkansas and the lyrics made him think of his old home on the Missouri River.
• The original was recorded two years earlier in 1975 by singer/songwriter Allen Toussaint. Another song that you might be familiar with, which was written by Toussaint was the 1966 pop hit by Lee Dorsey, Working in a Coal Mine.
• This was the first single released off his Southern Nights album. Not only did it hit number one on the country charts, but it also hit number one on the pop charts as well.
• Also on the album were Sunflower, written by Neil Diamond, as well as Glen's version of the Beach Boys 1960s hit God Only Knows, written by Brian Wilson.
• This song, along with Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman is among Cambell's most iconic.

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To hear a fun version of this classic tune, check out the YouTube video below. In it, Cambell is joined by the one and only, Jerry Reed at some sort of outdoor barbeque in 1989. How would you like to have been a guesting watching this show!

It's a fun performance and you can tell Cambell enjoys performing this song live.

Story Source: Songfacts

Story Source: This Day in Country Music