Today, country legend Connie Smith turns 83 years old. Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Smith released her debut single in 1964 and has been going strong ever since. In fact, she released her 55th studio album, Love, Prison, Wisdom, and Heartaches earlier this year, sixty years after making her debut.
There is so much more to Smith than her staying power in country music, though. Her powerful voice has inspired generations of performers. She’s a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
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[RELATED: On This Day in 1964, Connie Smith Stepped into RCA Studio B to Record Her Groundbreaking Debut Single “Once a Day”]
Today, we’re going to celebrate the country legend with four of her most memorable songs.
“Once a Day”—Connie Smith’s Debut Single Goes No. 1
Connie Smith made history with her Bill Anderson-penned debut single. “Once a Day” went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and stayed there for eight weeks. It also topped the publications Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
This made Smith the first and only woman to go to No. 1 with her debut single. She would hold that distinction until Trisha Yearwood topped the chart with her debut single “She’s in Love with the Boy” in 1991. Additionally, “Once a Day” made her the woman with the longest reign at the top of the country chart. Taylor Swift broke that record in 2012 when “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” held the top spot for nine weeks.
“Ain’t Had No Lovin’”—Another Hit for Smith
“Ain’t Had No Lovin’” is an example of the perfect pairing. Dallas Frazier wrote the song and Smith released it as a single in May 1966. The song went to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It later appeared on Born to Sing, the second album she released in 1966.
Smith has recorded more than fifty Frazier-penned songs over the years. In 1972, she released an entire album of his songs titled If It Ain’t Love and Other Great Dallas Frazier Songs.
“The Hurtin’s All Over”—Connie Smith Sings Harlan Howard
“The Hurtin’s All Over” is an example of what happens when two legends come together with a common goal. Iconic country songwriter Harlan Howard penned the song and Smith released it as a single in September 1966. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Later, Smith included it on her 1967 album Downtown Country.
“The Fugitive”—A Nod to Merle Haggard
Earlier this year, Connie Smith released her latest album, Love Prison, Wisdom, and Heartaches. The collection contained Smith’s renditions of songs made famous by artists including Dottie West, Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and more. Backed by her husband and producer Marty Stuart’s band The Fabulous Superlatives, Smith created a treasury of classic country covers.
“The Fugitive” was a standout track on the album. Her vocal delivery adds a measure of longing and loneliness that makes the Merle Haggard classic hit a little harder. His version was seemingly from the perspective of a young man running from the law. Smith, on the other hand, gives the impression of an aging outlaw full of regret. In short, it’s a beautiful rendition of a classic song.
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