Top Love Songs
Initially, Top Love Songs was not released as a single, but many DJs played on the album and began growing in popularity. A white singer named Tab Hunter heard the version of Charles’ and be accepted, which was plunged as a single. This enraged Charles to ABC Records changed on the 4-minute album version and a single with a lot of publicity, including a full-page magazine Billboard. Version of Charles’ was a huge success and went to No. 1 Top Love Songs on the American pop, R & B and easy listening charts.
This was the third of three No. 1 for Brother Ray “Hit the Road Jack” to “Georgia On My Mind” and was his first gold record.
This won the Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording, 1962. (Thanks, Brad Wind – Miami, FL, for all above)
Top Love Songs was written and originally recorded by country singer named Don Gibson in 1958. His version was the B-side released their No. 7 hit “Oh Lonesome Me,” which he wrote on the same day.
Kitty Wells, who was a very popular country singer, later took in 1958. His version was a great success and the country was on the cart at the same time as the release of Gibson.
Charles was known as gospel and R & B singer, but he defied convention and decided to record an album of country and western songs. His producer, Sid Feller, along with bands around 150 classic country Top Love Songs songs as Charles could decide what to take. Including the tapes was “I can not Stop Loving You,” Charles recalled that when she heard the Grand Ole Opry.