You’ll hear six of these on tonight’s Top 6 @ 6, but ten has such a nice ring to it, I decided to add four more for the blog. To all men and women of the armed forces, thank you for your service.
#10 – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]SSgt Barry Sadler[/lastfm] – Ballad of the Green Berets
He really was a member of the Green Berets. This song hit #1 in March of 1966, knocking [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Nancy Sinatra[/lastfm]‘s These Boots Are Made For Walking out of the top spot. His song remained at #1 for 5 weeks. In 1988, he was shot in the head in a robbery attempt at his home, suffering brain damage. He died of heart failure a year later. He was 49 years old.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bette Midler[/lastfm]
This became her first top 10 hit in 1973, 32 years after [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Andrews Sisters[/lastfm] version that inspired Bette’s arrangement.
The Battle Of New Orleans – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Johnny Horton[/lastfm]
This song won a Grammy for Song of the year, and spent 6 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Johnny Horton[/lastfm] would have two more top 10 hits before his death in a car accident on November 5, 1960. He was 35 years old.
Ruby Don’t Bring Your Love To Town – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Kenny Rogers and The First Edition[/lastfm]
Written by country great [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Mel Tillis[/lastfm], this was [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Kenny Rogers[/lastfm] second top 10 hit with the First Edition. It would also be his last before striking gold with ‘Lucille” eight years later.
Living In America – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]James Brown[/lastfm]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]James Brown[/lastfm] scored his last top 10 hit in 1985 with this track from Rocky IV, that also won him a Grammy for Best R&B performance.
We’re An American Band – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Grand Funk Railroad[/lastfm]
This song became their first #1 hit in 1973. and where is “Sweet Sweet Connie” today?
An American Trilogy – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Elvis Presley[/lastfm]
This was not one of Elvis’ biggest hits, but it did become a favorite in concert, becoming one of the most dramatic songs of his live shows. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Mickey Newbury[/lastfm] first put the medley together, but Elvis is the artist most identified with the song today.
Born In The USA – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bruce Springsteen[/lastfm]
You know what it is from the first few notes. Top 10 for the boss in early 1985 – and an iconic album cover to boot!
Back In the USA – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Linda Ronstadt[/lastfm]
No one write better lyrics than [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Chuck Berry[/lastfm]. Maybe I’m still miffed [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Linda Ronstadt[/lastfm] has been snubbed by the Rock and Roll HOF ([lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Chaka Khan[/lastfm]? Gimme a break)Here’s Chuck and Linda tearin’ it up!
America – [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Neil Diamond[/lastfm]
This was the third of three top 10 singles Neil had from The Jazz Singer, and many feel it was the best of the trio. Regardless, it’s #1 on this list.
