There are songs that everyone knows and remembers and that's this monster hit.  The Oak Ridge boys had a long line of hits, but this elevated them to a far higher level.  Real quick, the Oak Ridge Boys have been around since 1943. But this version of the Oaks went country in 1977 with the song, Y'all Come Back Saloon.  Until then the group in various forms had been a successful Gospel group.  There are many factors that make this song very important in addition to making them much bigger than before.  This song was released during Urban Cowboy, and many acts were eyeing country crossover hits and this was one of them. This was #1 country, and A/C and won a Grammy that sold 2 million albums.  It was the years biggest hit, along with Islands In The Stream (Kenny And Dolly)  in 1982.  This was the third attempt to make this song a hit, after Dallas Frazier  (writer) in 1966, and Rodney Crowell a few years after that.  After this version the Oaks ran off 14 more #1 songs, and set the tone for their terrific run through the 1980's.  But also, this song has more importance outside of its original run. This song introduced country to a whole new segment of young country fans, bringing us many new listeners. It also made bass singer Richard Sterban a star.  Songs like this are the reason they turned down Achy, Breaky Heart years later as they were offered it first.  But they were trying to break free from the half funny songs.  I will never call that a mistake as their run stands on its own and that song ended up where it should have with Billy Ray Cyrus. This was a huge hit in years huge country hits were rare. The Oak Ridge Boys will always be known for Elvira.  By any measure a smash hit song.  

Last Week #32