Sunday, April 6, 2014

"The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)" by Juice Newton

Top 10 Alert!
Song#:  0783
Date:  10/17/1981
Debut:  79
Peak:  7
Weeks:  24
Genre:  Country Crossover, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Newton's first two singles from her album "Juice" went Top 10 ("Angel of the Morning" #4, "Queen of Hearts" #2) and this third single followed suit. Although considered a country-leaning artist, she had yet to crack the Top 10 on the country chart. This song turned that around in a big way by becoming her first country #1. It also reached #1 at AC and is her only single to reach the Top 10 on all three charts.

ReduxReview:  If you wanna know how to do a big country/pop ballad, this is practically textbook. Well-written song, great arrangement, and a terrific vocal. For me, this is Newton's best song. A couple of her other songs seem to steal the spotlight over this one, but it really deserves to be the one that defines her career.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Newton's old band Silver Spur had recorded this song for their 1975 debut album "Juice Newton & Silver Spur. Written by band member Oltha Young, it was not issued as a single at the time. Newton re-recorded it for her "Juice" album. However, this was not the song's first appearance on the country chart. Country singer Dottsy recorded a version in 1976 that reached #86 on the country chart.

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