On this day (November 27) in 1961, Patsy Cline released her sophomore album Showcase. The release came four years after her self-titled debut record dropped in 1957. It was the only album Cline released during her lifetime to chart. Additionally, it produced two of the iconic singer’s signature songs—“Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces.”
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Showcase featured timeless songs performed by an all-star lineup of musicians and singers. Nashville Sound-era mainstays The Jordanaires provided background vocals. Additionally, the album featured Floyd Cramer and Pig Robbins on piano, Hank Garland on guitar, Buddy Harmon on drums, and many others. The legendary Owen Bradley produced the album and played organ on “Crazy.” Additionally, the album’s songwriting credits read like who’s who of legendary songsmiths. Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, and Bob Wills all have cuts on Showcase.
[RELATED: Patsy Cline Was “Crazy” for Initially Not Wanting to Record Her Most Iconic Hit]
Patsy Cline Finds Two Timeless Hits with Showcase
In the grand scheme of things, having a single go to the top of one of Billboard’s charts is rare. Having one of those hits become timeless or a “signature song” is rarer still. Patsy Cline had two No. 1 hits on Showcase, both of which went on to be her signature songs. “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy” have been covered countless times since their initial release. However, few stack up to Cline’s recordings.
Penned by Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran, Cline released “I Fall to Pieces” as the lead single from Showcase. The song went to No. 1 on the Billboard country chart and No. 12 on the all-genre Hot 100. Initially, Cline was famously reluctant to cut the song because she didn’t think it was country enough for her. However, Owen Bradley persisted and she finally gave in and recorded what would be her first No. 1 single.
Next, Cline released the Willie Nelson-penned “Crazy” as the second and final single from Showcase. It went to No. 2 on the Billboard country chart and peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100. While it wasn’t a chart-topper, the song went on to become a country standard and was the most played song on jukeboxes in the United States.
Featured Image by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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