"Nobody" by Sylvia

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  1156
Date:  08/28/1982
Debut:  89
Peak:  15
Weeks:  20
Genre:  Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  Indiana native Sylvia Kirby made a move to Nashville in the mid-70s seeking a career in music. She landed a prime job as secretary for music publisher/producer Tom Collins. Her connections there most likely paid off as she got signed to the RCA label in 1979. Her first two singles were minor country chart entries, but her third, "Tumbleweed," broke her into the Top 10 (#10).  Three more Top 10's following including the #1 title track to her debut album "Drifter." But it would be this second single from her album "Just Sylvia" that would get her onto the pop chart. The song would become her second #1 country hit while going Top 20 at pop. Sylvia would receive a Grammy nod for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and would also win the Academy of Country Music's Female Vocalist of the Year. It would be her peak moment and her only song to crossover to the pop chart. She would gather six more country Top 10's before leaving the business in the late 80s.

ReduxReview:  I loved this song so much back then. The cheeky, clever lyrics were the draw, but I stayed for the solid chorus and Sylvia's smooth voice. I'm not sure the song has aged all that well, but it is still a fun listen. I was a big Sylvia fan and she even played in our town. I got tickets and got close enough to take some great pictures that I still have. I even got her autograph afterward! Her next couple of albums had some good songs, but nothing would come close to this memorable tune.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Sylvia's former employer, Tom Collins, would continue to work with her once she started her recording career. He produced her first four albums. In addition to Sylvia, Collins produced hits for Ronnie Milsap ("No Gettin' Over Me"), Barbara Mandrell, and others.

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