Were there any country hot country hits of 1986? The year had 51 songs that went to number one. The only reason there weren’t 52 was that the charts remained “frozen” for the last week of the year.
This occurrence was a manipulation by record labels, radio stations, and others to have as many #1 hits as possible. But when you have a #1 every single week, what is really hot? It’s quite an embarrassment in retrospect.
For the listener, it’s very difficult to really know most of these well. The last #1 song that year, for two weeks, was Mind Your Own Business by Hank Williams Jr. It was written and recorded by Hank Williams Sr. in the late 1940s. This recording features Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Tom Petty, and Rev. Ike! It likely would have topped the charts for a longer period.
Here are the others in chronological order:
Morning Desire – Kenny Rogers, written by Dave Loggins, second cousin to Kenny Loggins
Bop – Dan Seals
Never Be You– Roseanne Cash, written by Benmont Tench and Tom Petty of the Heartbreakers
Just In Case – Forrester Sisters; I have a 1990 album of theirs, Come Hold Me
Hurt – Juice Newton
Makin’ Up for Lost Time (the Dallas Lovers’ song) – Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris, written by Dave Loggins and Morris
There’s No Stopping Your Heart – Marie Osmond
Still The One
You Can Dream Of Me – Steve Wariner, written by John Hall (formerly of Orleans) and Wariner
Thinking About Love – Dolly Parton
I Could Get Used To You – Exile
What’s A Memory Like You (doing in a love like this) – John Schneider. The guy from The Dukes of Hazzard.
Don’t Underestimate My Love For You – Lee Greenwood, co-written by Dave Loggins
100% Chance of Rain– Gary Morris
She and I – Alabama
Cajun Moon – Ricky Skaggs
Now and Forever (You and Me) – Anne Murray
Once In A Blue Moon – Earl Thomas Conley
Grandpa Tell Me About The Good Old Days – The Judds
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Hank Williams, Jr. The Fats Waller song; his given name was Thomas.
Tomb of the Unknown Love – Kenny Rogers
Whoever’s In New England – Reba McEntire
Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby– Ronnie Milsap. It is a 1957 song originally performed by the Tune Weavers
Life’s Highway – Steve Wariner
Mama’s Never Seen Those Eyes – The Forester Sisters
Livin’ In the Promiseland – Willie Nelson. A true patriotic song
I’ll do the next half of the year soon
