As a young musician growing up in rural Mississippi, country star Marty Stuart knew early on that he wanted to pursue his creative passions seriously. He was just a young teen when he joined bluegrass legend Lester Flatt‘s backing band, beginning a long and influential career.
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[RELATED: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Marty Stuart Wrote for Other Artists]
He released his first album as a solo artist in 1985, but his break into the mainstream didn’t arrive until he moved to Nashville and inked a new record deal at the start of the 1990s. Although Stuart has largely steered away from the era’s more commercial sound with his recent works, the decade offered some of the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s most recognizable hits.
From a fiery love song to a hit duet with Travis Tritt, take a look back at the Marty Stuart songs that dominated country radio in the 1990s.
1. “Tempted”
In 1991, Stuart released his pop-leaning fifth studio album, Tempted, which spawned four successful radio singles. One of those country hits was the record’s title track, which he co-wrote with Paul Kennerley. The flirtatious, groovy track peaked at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and is still a staple of Stuart’s live shows.
2. “Hillbilly Rock”
Stuwart’s first new single of the 1990s was a surprise success for the country star. “Hillbilly Rock” was written by Kennerley specifically for The Judds, but the duo passed on the track, leading the songwriter to send it Stuart’s way. The playful celebration of Southern culture was a smash hit and became Marty Stuart’s first Top 10 track with his new label, MCA Records.
3. “Little Things”
A few weeks before delivering Tempted to listeners, Stuart dropped the record’s first single, “Little Things.” This passionate love song is another lyrical gem co-written with Kennerley, which became a Top 10 hit on country radio shortly after its release in 1991.
4. “Burn Me Down”
Another of Marty Stuart’s trademark hits, this infectious 1992 single spotlights the singer/songwriter’s smoldering charisma. An energizing, fiery love song with an undeniable groove, “Burn Me Down” soared to No. 7 on country radio as the final single from Tempted.
5. “This One’s Gonna Hurt You (for a Long, Long Time)”
A few months before the pair embarked on their co-headlining No Hats Tour, Stuart and Travis Tritt sent their stellar duet “This One’s Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time)” to country radio. It became another Top 10 single for the pair in 1992, following the massive success of their previous collaboration, “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’,” a year prior.
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