"Stranger in My House" by Ronnie Milsap

Song#:  1394
Date:  03/26/1983
Debut:  71
Peak:  23
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  Milsap was definitely on a roll. He started off the decade with a #1 country hit ("Why Don't You Spend the Night") and his next nine singles accomplished the same feat. Included in that streak was his biggest pop crossover success, the #5 "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me." Unfortunately, his streak of country #1's got interrupted by this lead single from his album "Keyed Up" that could only reach #5. However, it was another crossover success for him reaching #8 AC and almost reaching the pop Top 20. His next single would return him to #1 at country and by the time the decade was done, Milsap would have hit the top spot 23 times. Add in 12 more from the 70s and that gives Milsap 35 #1's, which put him in fourth place for the artist with the most country #1's (George Strait holds the record at 44 #1's).

ReduxReview:  Once again, another great song from Milsap. I'm a bit surprised this didn't get to #1 at country. I wonder if it was a little too pop/rock for the country market at the time. His singles around this time did lean towards pop, but there was still enough country in them to appease that crowd. This one may have just gone a bit too far pop. Regardless, it's a quality tune with a solid arrangement and reliable vocal turn from Milsap.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song got Milsap a Grammy nomination for Best Country & Western Vocals, Male. The song would win a Grammy for Best Country & Western Song. The Grammy would go to the song's writer, Mike Reid. Reid was a pro football player for five season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He retired from the sport after the 1974 season after being plagued with injuries. He then set out on a music career (his college degree was in music) that eventually led him to Nashville where his songs started to get recorded by other artists. Reid would have a brief career as a solo artist recording two album and grabbing a #1 country hit with 1990's "Walk on Faith."

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