Charley Pride: A Country Music Legend With Many Iconic Songs
With numerous #1 songs to his name, Charley Pride certainly left his mark on history. As one of only three black artists to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, Pride’s influence on country music is greater than many even realize.
Pride remained active in the industry up until his passing on December 12, 2020.
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After being active as a performer and recording artist for so long, he earned countless Gold albums and was also a three-time Grammy Award winner. The CMA presented him with the Entertainer of the Year award in 1971, the same year he released his signature song “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.”
To honor Pride’s groundbreaking career, let’s take a look at some of his most memorable songs.
“All I Have To Offer You (Is Me)”
Released in 1969 as the lead single off of Pride’s album The Best of Charley Pride, “All I Have to Offer You” soared to the top of the Billboard country chart only two months after its release. It was the first of many #1 hits to come for Pride.
“All I Have to Offer You” was especially significant since it marked the first time in 25 years that a black artist had a #1 hit on the Billboard country chart.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man speaking to his significant other, telling her that he doesn’t have any riches to offer her. However, the one thing he does have to give her is himself, and all of his love, singing “The only gold I have for you is in this wedding band, cause all I have to offer you is me.”
“All I Have to Offer You” was the song that truly started it all for Pride, and when you listen to it, you can tell why.
“Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone”
Songwriters Glenn Martin and Dave Kirby wrote “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” and Pride eventually cut it for his record Charley Pride’s 10th Album. But the song was given a few tweaks before Pride finally got the chance to record it.
Pride’s manager, Jack D. Johnson, was given a demo tape of “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” and decided to change it up a bit to make it a better fit for Pride. He ended up changing the chords, lyrics, and arrangement to suit Pride better, and it was this rewritten version that Pride recorded.
The rewrite succeeded because the song became Pride’s third consecutive #1 hit on the country chart. “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” remained on the chart for 16 weeks.
The song is told from the perspective of a brokenhearted man. He is left to wander alone after he leaves with his former love. He desperately tries to find a way out of town. Pride sings, “Is anybody goin to San Antone, or Pheonix Arizona? Anyplace is alright as long as I can forget I’ve ever known her.”
Pride’s emotional recording will stand the test of time.
“Someone Loves You Honey”
“Someone Loves You Honey” was another milestone song for Pride. It became Pride’s 20th #1 hit, only 12 years after the release of his first single. It spent two weeks at number one and remained on the chart for 12 weeks overall.
Written by Don Devaney, the song serves as the narrator’s reminder to his special someone that his love will always be with her. No matter what happens, the narrator just wants her to know, “Whatever you do and wherever you go, remember someone loves you, honey.”
Pride recorded many love songs over the years. But “Someone Loves You Honey” is definitely one of our favorites.
“Where Do I Put Her Memory”
Yet another #1 hit for Pride, “Where Do I Put Her Memory” was released in February 1979. The song served as the first single from his album Burgers and Fries. It was his 21st #1 hit overall.
Singer-songwriter Jim Weatherly wrote the tune, which focuses on heartache. Pride takes on the role of a lonely man cleaning up his house after a breakup.
One by one, the man hides all of his former lover’s belongings. He tears down pictures, cleans out her dresser, and puts away the gifts she gave him. But he realizes there’s one thing he can’t put away…his memories.
Based on how well he previously did with songs with the same theme, “Where Do I Put Her Memory” was the perfect fit for Pride. It is now considered to be one of his most recognizable songs.
“Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'”
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Regarded as Charley Pride’s signature song, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” was released in 1971 as the first single off his album, Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs. Not only was the song Pride’s eighth number one on the country charts, but his first to cross over to the pop charts, where it peaked at the 21st spot.
“Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” spent four months on the pop chart. It was so successful that Billboard ranked it as the 74th greatest song of 1972.
The song sold millions of copies. It led to Pride being named the CMA Entertainer of the Year.
The narrator in the song sings about his friends. They constantly question why he’s smiling all the time. He replies that his joy is because he gets to “kiss an angel good morning.”
Pride’s signature song is still just as iconic today as it was when it was first released. It proves just how timeless his music is.
Which one of Charley Pride’s songs is your all-time favorite?