Dolly Parton, Charley Pride became icons in the '70s, did their hits make Grand Ole Opry's list of 100 greatest songs?

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Nashville's iconic Grand Ole Opry.

To celebrate, the Opry is gradually unveiling a list of the all-time greatest country songs, as compiled by its fans. Ultimately, voters will have the opportunity to select the No. 1 country song from these 100 choices.

Hits from the 1970s follow last week's drop of songs released between the 1930s and 1960s. This is the second batch of songs broken down by the eras that will be revealed over the next four weeks.

Country music's broad spread, growing social impact in the 1970s

Before the 2020s, the Opry experienced unprecedented membership growth. The 1970s, however, were marked by the country music industry's widest cultural reach and most significant social impact to date.

Of the list of top country songs, note that Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, two of the artists featured on the 1976-released "Wanted! The Outlaws" compilation — country's first platinum-selling album — are featured.

Other free-spirited, mainstream-aimed male artists of the era featured include Johnny Cash, The Charlie Daniels Band, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Williams Jr.

Not to be outdone are the genre's fundamental adult-contemporary-style crooners and vocalists like Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle, George Jones, Charley Pride and Conway Twitty.

Actor and singer Kris Kristofferson performing during Summerfest in 1976.

The decade's ability to transform country stars into pop culture superstars is present, too, via John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Tanya Tucker.

Hits establish artists as 'quintessential American icons'

Aside from celebrating blue-collar rural family life, drinking and smoking, loving and leaving, plus the notoriety the devil achieves by stealing souls, the power of 1970s-era country hits to evolve country's standing in America's historical lore is noteworthy.

"(Kenny Rogers) singing 'The Gambler' is like Dolly Parton singing 'Jolene,'" noted songwriter and Grand Ole Opry member Don Schlitz to The Tennessean in Aug. 2022.

"These songs established their artists as quintessential American icons for decades to come."

The Grand Ole Opry's 100 greatest country music songs — week 2: 1970s

  • "Family Tradition," written and recorded by Hank Williams Jr., 1979
  • "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," written and recorded by the Charlie Daniels Band, 1979
  • "Mamma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, written by Ed and Patsy Bruce, 1978
  • "The Gambler," recorded by Kenny Rogers, written by Don Schlitz, 1978
  • "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," recorded by Crystal Gayle, written by Richard Leigh, 1977
  • "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," recorded by Willie Nelson, written by Fred Rose, 1975
  • "Rhinestone Cowboy," recorded by Glen Campbell, written by Larry Weiss, 1975
  • "The Grand Tour," recorded by George Jones, written by George Richey, Carmol Taylor and Norro Wilson, 1974
  • "Jolene," written and recorded by Dolly Parton, 1973

Tanya Tucker made a surprise appearance during the MCA Records all-star showcase at the Grand Ole Opry House Oct. 19. 1978.

  • "Delta Dawn," recorded by Tanya Tucker, written by Larry Collins and Alex Harvey, 1972
  • "Coat of Many Colors," written and recorded by Dolly Parton, 1971
  • "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," recorded by Charley Pride, written by Ben Peters, 1971
  • "Take Me Home, Country Roads," recorded by John Denver, written by Bill Danoff, John Denver and Taffy Nivert, 1971
  • "Coal Miner's Daughter," written and recorded by Loretta Lynn, 1970
  • "For The Good Times," recorded by Ray Price (among many), written by Kris Kristofferson, 1970

Loretta Lynn gets a hug from presenter Charley Pride after she won the Female Vocalist of the Year award during the sixth annual CMA Awards show Oct. 16, 1972.

  • "Hello Darlin'," written and recorded by Conway Twitty, 1970
  • "Help Me Make It Through The Night," recorded by Sammi Smith (among many), written by Kris Kristofferson, 1970
  • "Sunday Morning Coming Down," recorded by Johnny Cash, written by Kris Kristofferson, 1970

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton, Charley Pride became icons in the '70s, did their hits make Grand Ole Opry's list of 100 greatest songs?

Post Related