On This Day in 1957, Patsy Cline Released the First of Three Full-Length Albums She Recorded While Still Alive

On this day (August 5) in 1957, Patsy Cline released her self-titled debut album. The LP contained “Walkin’ After Midnight,” the first several crossover hits for the legendary singer. However, the album’s other single, “I Don’t Wanta,” failed to chart. Stylistically, her debut album saw Cline trying to find a sound that suited her voice.

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Cline is one of the most influential vocalists in country music history. Her voice has inspired generations of artists. The likes of Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood, Kacey Musgraves, Cyndi Lauper, and Lucinda Williams count her among their influences. More than that, her partnership with Owen Bradley later in her career helped to solidify the pop-leaning production style known as the Nashville Sound.

[RELATED: On This Day in 1963, Patsy Cline and Three Others Died in a Tragic Plane Crash Outside of Camden, Tennessee]

While Cline’s later work was the focal point of the production style with its swelling string arrangements and teams of backing vocalists, her debut LP was a mixed bag. Songs on Patsy Cline fall under the categories of rockabilly, traditional country music, honky tonk, and pop. In retrospect, it sounds like she and her team were trying their hardest to find where the young up-and-comer would fit best musically.

Patsy Cline Sees Early Success with “Walkin’ After Midnight”

“Walkin’ After Midnight” brought Patsy Cline recognition from both country and pop audiences. It peaked at No. 2 on the country chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it was more than just her first crossover hit. It was also her first single to reach either chart.

Before releasing “Walkin’ After Midnight” as the lead single from her debut full-length, she shared four tracks that failed to chart. The first two–“A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye” and “Hidin’ Out”–were on her debut EP, Songs by Patsy Cline. Then, she released a pair of non-album singles: “I Love You, Honey” and “I’ve Loved and Lost Again.”

Unfortunately, “Walkin’ After Midnight” didn’t spark a string of hits for Cline. She went on to release a dozen singles that didn’t chart. Among them were classics like “Lovesick Blues,” “Stop the World (And Let Me Off),” and “Crazy Dreams.” She wouldn’t get another hit until her next charted single, “I Fall to Pieces,” topped the country chart and peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100.

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