"Crystal Chandelier" (more commonly known as Crystal Chandeliers) is a 1965 Country song written by Ted Harris and popularized by Charley Pride. The original rendition was sung by Carl Belew. His version reached number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart.[2] It was the first of three charting singles from Belew's eighth studio album, Twelve Shades of Belew.[3]
| "Crystal Chandelier" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Carl Belew | ||||
| from the album Twelve Shades of Belew | ||||
| B-side | "Lonely Hearts Do Foolish Things" | |||
| Released | 1965 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:50 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ted Harris | |||
| Producer(s) | Chet Atkins | |||
| Carl Belew singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "Crystal Chandelier" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Vic Dana | ||||
| from the album Crystal Chandelier | ||||
| B-side | "What Now My Love" | |||
| Released | December 1965 | |||
| Genre | Adult Contemporary | |||
| Label | Dolton | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ted Harris | |||
| Vic Dana singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "Crystal Chandeliers" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Charley Pride | |
| from the album The Country Way | |
| Released | December 1967[1] |
| Recorded | 1967 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | RCA |
| Songwriter(s) | Ted Harris |
| Producer(s) | Chet Atkins, Jack Clement, Felton Jarvis |
Vic Dana cover
editVic Dana covered the song in 1965. His version reached number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 19 on the Canadian pop singles chart[4] and number 14 on both the U.S. and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts in early 1966.[5] He also reached number 34 in Australia.
Both Carl Belew and Vic Dana recorded the song under the title "Crystal Chandelier," however, all further covers used the title: Crystal Chandeliers in the plural, reflecting what is said in the lyrics.
Chart history
edit| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 34 |
| Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[6] | 14 |
| Canada RPM Top Singles[7] | 19 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] | 51 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 14 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 53 |
Charley Pride cover
editCharley Pride covered "Crystal Chandeliers" in 1967. The song was included on his number-one selling album, The Country Way. It was produced by Chet Atkins, who had also produced Belew's original rendition.
Pride's version became an instant hit, and received heavy airplay by Country radio stations.[9] Although it was never a hit on the American singles charts, it remains one of the most recognizable and enduring versions of the song.[9]
Other versions
edit- Tony and the Graduates covered the song in 1967, reaching number seven in Ireland.[10]
- Billie Jo Spears covered "Crystal Chandelier" in 1970 on her Country Girl LP.
- Mattie Fox and the Country Blue Boys version reached number 14 in Ireland in 1973.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Charley Pride - The Country Way (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 42.
- ^ "Carl Belew Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ R.P.M. Play Sheet, January 10, 1966
- ^ "Item: 9642 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-01-03. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-01-10. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ a b "Who Hit With 'Crystal Chandeliers'? Not Charley Pride". Kxrb.com. 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
- ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know".
- ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know".
External links
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