List of number-one country singles of 1983 (U.S.)

These are the U.S. number-one country songs of 1983

1983 in country music

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1983.-Events:* March — In a span of two days, two major cable networks signed on the air. Country Music Television went on-the-air March 5, while The Nashville Network came on two days later on March 7...

, per the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...

chart.

Issue date	Title	Artist
January 8	Can't Even Get the Blues Can't Even Get the Blues "Can't Even Get the Blues" is a 1982 single by Reba McEntire. "Can't Even Get the Blues" would be Reba McEntrire's fourteenth country hit and her first number one country hit...	Reba McEntire Reba McEntire Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
January 15	Going Where the Lonely Go Going Where the Lonely Go (song) "Going Where the Lonely Go" is the title track from a 1982 album by Merle Haggard. "Going Where the Lonely Go" was written by Merle Haggard and would be his twenty-eighth number one country single. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country...	Merle Haggard Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
January 22	(Lost His Love) On Our Last Date Last Date (song) "Last Date" is a 1960 instrumental written and performed by Floyd Cramer. "Last Date" peaked at number 11 on the country chart and peaked at number two on the Hot 100.-Chart performance:-Cover versions:...	Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
January 29	Talk to Me	Mickey Gilley Mickey Gilley Mickey Leroy Gilley is an American country music singer and musician. Although he started out singing straight-up country and western material in the 1970s, he moved towards a more pop-friendly sound in the 1980s, bringing him further success on not just the country charts, but the pop charts as...
February 5	Inside Inside (Ronnie Milsap song) "Inside" is a song made famous by country music singer Ronnie Milsap. Originally released in 1982, the song extended his early 1980s success as both a country and crossover artist when it reached its peak popularity in early 1983.-About the song:...	Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s...
February 12	'Til I Gain Control Again 'Til I Gain Control Again "Til I Gain Control Again" is a song written by Rodney Crowell. '"Til I Gain Control Again" was first recorded in 1975 by Emmylou Harris.-Crystal Gayle version:...	Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer best known for her 1977 country-pop hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". An award-winning singer, she accumulated 18 number one country hits during the 1970s and 1980s...
February 19	Faking Love Faking Love "Faking Love" is a 1982 duet by T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks. "Faking Love" was written by Matraca Berg and Bobby Braddock and was the only single T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks released as a duo. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks within the Top...	T. G. Sheppard T. G. Sheppard T. G. Sheppard is an American country music singer, who had 14 number one hits during the 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:... and Karen Brooks Karen Brooks Karen Brooks is an American country music singer who is best known for a series of Top 40 hits on the Billboard Country Chart in the early 1980s, including "Faking Love," a duet with T.G. Sheppard which topped the country chart in February 1983.Brooks was born in Dallas, Texas in 1954. Attended...
February 26	Why Baby Why Why Baby Why "Why Baby Why" is the title of a country music song co-written and originally recorded by George Jones. Released in late 1955 on Starday Records, and produced by Starday co-founder and Jones manager Pappy Daily, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard country charts that year...	Charley Pride Charley Pride Charley Frank Pride is an American country music singer. His smooth baritone voice was featured on thirty-nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His greatest success came in the early- to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis...
March 5	If Hollywood Don't Need You (Honey I Still Do) If Hollywood Don't Need You (Honey I Still Do) "If Hollywood Don't Need You " is a 1983 single written by Bob McDill and recorded by Don Williams.It was Don Williams' thirteenth number one single on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the chart.-Chart performance:...	Don Williams Don Williams Don Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
March 12	The Rose The Rose (song) "The Rose" is a pop song written by Amanda McBroom and made famous by Bette Midler, who performed it in the 1979 movie, The Rose. Since then it has been covered by a variety of artists.-Bette Midler version:...	Conway Twitty Conway Twitty Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
March 19	I Wouldn't Change You If I Could I Wouldn't Change You If I Could "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" is the title of a song written by Paul Jones and Arthur Q. Smith and recorded by Ricky Skaggs, as well as Reno & Smiley and Jim Eanes. "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" was Ricky Skaggs' fourth number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one...	Ricky Skaggs Ricky Skaggs Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
March 26	Swingin' Swingin' "Swingin" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer John Anderson. Released in 1983, it was included on his album Wild & Blue. The song was the second of five Number One singles in Anderson's career, spending one week at the top of the Hot Country Songs charts...	John Anderson John Anderson (musician) John David Anderson is an American country music artist with a successful career that has lasted more than 30 years...
April 2	When I'm Away from You When I'm Away From You "When I'm Away from You" is a 1983 single written by Frankie Miller and recorded by The Bellamy Brothers. "When I'm Away from You" would be The Bellamy Brothers' seventh number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent twelve weeks on the country...	The Bellamy Brothers
April 9	We've Got Tonight	Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur... and Sheena Easton Sheena Easton Sheena Easton is a Scottish recording artist. Easton became famous for being the focus of an episode in the British television programme The Big Time, which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.Easton rose to fame in the early 1980s with the pop...
April 16	Dixieland Delight Dixieland Delight "Dixieland Delight" is a song written by Ronnie Rogers and recorded by the country music band Alabama. Originally released in January 1983, the song was the lead-off single to Alabama's fourth album, The Closer You Get....-Background and writing:...	Alabama Alabama (band) Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
April 23	American Made American Made (song) "American Made" is the title track and first single from the 1983 album by The Oak Ridge Boys. "American Made" was written by Bob DiPiero and Pat McManus and would be The Oak Ridge Boys' seventh number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of...	The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
April 30	You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving "You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving" is a 1983 single written by Dickey Lee and Kerry Chater and recorded by Reba McEntire. "You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving" was Reba McEntire's second number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and...	Reba McEntire
May 7	Jose Cuervo Jose Cuervo (song) "José Cuervo" is the title of a song written and recorded by Cindy Jordan in 1982. It was released as a single by American country artist Shelly West in February 1983 to more commercial success....	Shelly West Shelly West Shelly West is an American country music singer. Her mother was the country music star Dottie West, whose career spanned three decades. Shelly West is best known for having hit duets with David Frizzell, and for their #1 hit "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"...
May 14	Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" is a 1983 single written by Lewis Anderson and recorded by B.J. Thomas. "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" was the second of three number ones on the country chart. It would his first number one since, " Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song"...	B. J. Thomas B. J. Thomas Billy Joe "B. J." Thomas is an American popular singer known for his chart-topping hits in the 1960s and 1970s—appearing on the pop, adult contemporary, country and Hot 100 charts.-Career:...
May 21	Common Man Common Man "Common Man" is a 1983 single by John Conlee, written by Sammy Johns. "Common Man" was John Conlee's third number one on the country chart. It would his first number one since, 'Backside of Thirty" in 1979. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the...	John Conlee John Conlee John Conlee is an American country music singer. Between 1978 and 2004, Conlee charted a total of thirty-two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and recorded eleven studio albums...
May 28	You Take Me for Granted You Take Me for Granted "You Take Me for Granted" is a track from Merle Haggard's 1982 album, "Going Where the Lonely Go". "You Take Me For Granted" was written by Leona Williams, Merle Haggard's wife and was his twenty-ninth number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total...	Merle Haggard
June 4	Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will) Lucille (Little Richard song) "Lucille" is a 1957 rock and roll song which was one of Little Richard's international hits.Released on Specialty Records in February 1957, Little Richard's single made number 21 on the US pop chart, and number 10 on the UK chart...	Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
June 11	Our Love Is on the Faultline Our Love Is on the Faultline "Our Love Is on the Faultline" is a 1983 single written by Reece Kirk and recorded by Crystal Gayle. "Our Love Is on the Faultline" was Crystal Gayle's eleventh number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart...	Crystal Gayle
June 18	You Can't Run from Love You Can't Run From Love "You Can't Run from Love" is a 1983 single by Eddie Rabbitt. Composed by Rabbitt, along with David Malloy and Even Stevens, "You Can't Run from Love" was the second single released off of his Radio Romance album, after the success of his duet with Crystal Gayle, "You and I"...	Eddie Rabbitt Eddie Rabbitt Edward Thomas "Eddie" Rabbitt was an American singer-songwriter and musician. His career began as a songwriter in the late 1960s, springboarding to a recording career after composing hits such as "Kentucky Rain" for Elvis Presley in 1970 and "Pure Love" for Ronnie Milsap in 1974...
June 25	Fool for Your Love Fool For Your Love (Mickey Gilley song) "Fool For Your Love" is a 1983 single written by Don Singleton and recorded by Mickey Gilley. "Fool For Your Love" was Mickey Gilley's sixteenth number one country single as a solo artist. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .-Chart...	Mickey Gilley
July 2	Love is On a Roll Love Is on a Roll "Love is on a Roll" is a 1983 single written by Roger Cook and John Prine and recorded by Don Williams. "Love is on a Roll" was Don Williams' fourteenth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .-Chart...	Don Williams
July 9	Highway 40 Blues Highway 40 Blues "Highway 40 Blues" is a 1983 single written by Larry Cordle and recorded by Ricky Skaggs. "Highway 40 Blues" became Ricky Skaggs' fifth number one on the country chart and his fifth consecutive number one. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the...	Ricky Skaggs
July 16	The Closer You Get	Alabama
July 23	Pancho and Lefty Pancho and Lefty "Pancho and Lefty" is a song written by country singer and songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Van Zandt first recorded it for his 1972 album, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt...	Willie Nelson Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized... and Merle Haggard
July 30	I Always Get Lucky with You I Always Get Lucky with You "I Always Get Lucky With You" is a 1983 single written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers, Gary Church, and Tex Whitson and recorded by George Jones. "I Always Get Lucky with You" would be George Jones' ninth number one on the country chart as a solo artist . The single stayed at number one for one...	George Jones George Jones George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
August 6	Your Love's on the Line Your Love's on the Line "Your Love's on the Line" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist Earl Thomas Conley, who co-wrote the song with Randy Scruggs. It was released in April 1983 as the lead single from the album, "Don't Make It Easy for Me". The song was Earl Thomas Conley's third number one...	Earl Thomas Conley Earl Thomas Conley Earl Thomas Conley is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1980 and 2003, he recorded ten studio albums, including seven for the RCA Records label. In the 1980s and into the 1990s, Conley also charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which...
August 13	He's a Heartache (Looking for a Place to Happen)	Janie Fricke Janie Fricke Janie Fricke is an American country music singer, best remembered for a series of country music hits in the early to mid 1980s....
August 20	Love Song Love Song (The Oak Ridge Boys song) "Love Song" is a track from the 1983 album "American Made" by The Oak Ridge Boys. "Love Song" was written by Steven Runkle and was The Oak Ridge Boys' eight number one country single. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .-Chart...	The Oak Ridge Boys
August 27	You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation "You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation" is a 1983 single written by Jeff Crossan and recorded by Ronnie McDowell. "You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation" would be Ronnie McDowell's second and final number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for a single week and spent twelve weeks...	Ronnie McDowell Ronnie McDowell Ronald Dean "Ronnie" McDowell is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1977 with the song "The King Is Gone", a tribute to Elvis Presley, who had died not long before the single's release. From that single onward, McDowell has charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard...
September 3	A Fire I Can't Put Out A Fire I Can't Put Out "A Fire I Can't Put Out" is the title of a song written by Darryl Staedtler and recorded by American country singer George Strait. It was released in May 1983 as the fourth and final single from his 1982 album Strait from the Heart...	George Strait George Strait George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
September 10	I'm Only in It for the Love I'm Only in It for the Love "I'm Only in It for the Love" is a 1983 single written by Kix Brooks, Deborah Allen, and Rafe VanHoy and recorded by John Conlee. "I'm Only In It For the Love" was John Conlee's fourth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks...	John Conlee
September 17	Night Games Night Games "Night Games is a 1983 single written by Blake Mevis and Norro Wilson and recorded by Charley Pride. Originally recorded by Ray Stevens in 1981, "Night Games" was Charley Pride's twenty-ninth and final number one country hit...	Charley Pride
September 24	Baby What About You Baby What About You "Baby What About You is a 1983 single written by Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman and recorded by Crystal Gayle. "Baby What About You" was Crystal Gayle's twelfth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .-Chart...	Crystal Gayle
October 1	New Looks from an Old Lover New Looks from an Old Lover "New Looks From An Old Lover" is a 1983 single by B.J. Thomas. "New Looks From An Old Lover" was B.J. Thomas' third and last number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart ....	B. J. Thomas
October 8	Don't You Know How Much I Love You Don't You Know How Much I Love You "Don't You Know How Much I Love You" is a 1983 single written by Michael Stewart and Dan Williams and recorded by Ronnie Milsap. "Don't You Know How Much I Love You" was Ronnie Milsap's twenty-third number one country hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve...	Ronnie Milsap
October 15	Paradise Tonight Paradise Tonight "Paradise Tonight" is 1983 duet written by Bill Kenner and Mark Wright and recorded by Charly McClain and Mickey Gilley. "Paradise Tonight" would be the most successful of three releases by Charly McClain and Mickey Gilley as a duo. The single went to number one for one week and stayed a total of...	Charly McClain Charly McClain Charlotte Denise McClain is an American country music singer, best-known for series of Country hits during the 1980s.... and Mickey Gilley
October 22	Lady Down on Love Lady Down on Love "Lady Down on Love" is a song made famous by the country music band Alabama. Originally released in 1983, the song was the third single to Alabama's fourth album, The Closer You Get....-About the song:...	Alabama
October 29	Islands in the Stream Islands in the Stream "Islands in the Stream" is the title of a song written by the Bee Gees and sung by American country music artists Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released in August 1983 as the first single from Rogers' album Eyes That See in the Dark and the second pop number-one for both Rogers and Parton...	Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
November 5
November 12	Somebody's Gonna Love You Somebody's Gonna Love You "Somebody's Gonna Love You" is a 1983 single written by Rafe VanHoy and Don Cook and recorded by Lee Greenwood. "Somebody's Gonna Love You" was Lee Greenwood's sixth country hit and the first of his seven number ones on the country chart. The single went to number one for week and spent a total...	Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood Melvin Lee Greenwood is an American country music artist. Active since the early 1980s, he has released more than twenty major-label albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts....
November 19	One of a Kind Pair of Fools	Barbara Mandrell Barbara Mandrell Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s...
November 26	Holding Her and Loving You Holding Her and Loving You "Holding Her and Loving You" is the title of a song written by Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield and recorded by American country music artist Earl Thomas Conley. It was released in August 1983 as the second single from the album, "Don't Make It Easy for Me". The song was Earl Thomas Conley's fourth...	Earl Thomas Conley
December 3	A Little Good News	Anne Murray Anne Murray Morna Anne Murray CC, ONS is a Canadian singer in pop, country and adult contemporary styles whose albums have sold over 54 million copies....
December 10	Tell Me a Lie Tell Me a Lie "Tell Me a Lie" is a popular 1983 Country Music song, made famous by 80s Country recording artist Janie Fricke.In 1983, Janie Fricke picked up the song "Tell Me a Lie" as to be released as her next single in 1983. During this time, Fricke racked up a good amount of hits, like "It Ain't Easy Bein'...	Janie Fricke
December 17	Black Sheep Black Sheep (John Anderson song) "Black Sheep" is a 1983 single written by Danny Darst and Robert Altman and recorded by John Anderson. "Black Sheep" was John Anderson's third number one on the country chart. "Black Sheep" went to number one for one week and spent a total of 14 weeks within the top 40.-Chart performance:...	John Anderson
December 24	Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You) Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You) "Houston " is a 1983 single by Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band. "Houston " was written by Larry Gatlin and was the group's third and last number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for two weeks and spent a total of fifteen weeks on the country chart.-Chart performance:...	Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Larry Gatlin Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
December 31

See also