The Judds 10 Most Succesful Billboard Songs
The Judds are considered one of the most influential country music groups in history. Naomi Judd and daughter Wynonna Judd had 14 Billboard No. 1 hits as a country duo. Naomi Judd died on April 30 at 76-years-old. The next day, The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Judds 10 most successful songs on the Billboard Charts
Noami and Wynnona Judd burst onto the country music scene as The Judds with 1983’s “Have a Dream (For the Heart).” They released six studio albums before Naomi retired in 1991 due to a Hepatitis C diagnosis. Wynonna went on to become a successful solo artist.
The Judds won five Grammy Awards and charted over 25 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. According to Billboard, these are their 10 most successful singles.
1. “Have Mercy”
Released in Dec. of 1985, “Have Mercy” was the first single from the album Rockin With Rhythm. It spent two weeks at No. 1 and an impressive 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The chart would continue to be good to The Judds throughout the ’80s.
2. “Cry Myself to Sleep”
The fourth single from Rockin’ With Rhythm hit No. 1 and spent 16 weeks on the charts. Originally recorded by Steve Earle in 1984, The Judds released “Cry Myself to Sleep” in 1986. The blues-tinged song tells the story of love gone wrong.
Wynonna sings, “I’ve been through worse/ But I don’t know what/ Oh, I gave to you/ Everything that I got.”
3. “Why Not Me”
The first studio album from The Judds, Why Not Me, featured four No. 1 hits. The title track spent 22 weeks on the charts before hitting No. 1.
The song includes a nod to the duo’s Kentucky roots. “Well, you’ve finally come down to your old hometown/ Your Kentucky girl’s been waiting patiently/ Why not me?”
4. “Change of Heart”
Naomi Judd wrote “Change of Heart” for the Judds 1984 debut extended play (EP.) The song was re-released in 1988 as the second single from their Greatest Hits compilation album. “Change of Heart” spent one week at No. 1 and a total of 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
5. “Love is Alive”
The third single from Why Not Me, “Love is Alive,” kept the Judds momentum going, hitting No. 1 yet again. Like other songs from the album, “Love is Alive” had staying power. The single remained on the country chart for 14 weeks.
6. “Let Me Tell You About Love”
The second single from the 1989 album River of Time hit No. 1 and spent 15 weeks on the chart. “Let Me Tell You About Love” was The Judds last No. 1 song. The song served as a history lesson on love by referencing famous stories from the bible and historical figures.
“Well, ever since the day the time began/ There’s been this thing ‘tween a woman and a man/ Well, I don’t know but I do believe/ It started in the garden with Adam and Eve.”
7. “Mama He’s Crazy”
The song that gave The Judds their first No. 1, “Mama He’s Crazy,” was the second single released from The Judds debut EP in 1984. Spending 14 weeks on the chart, “Mama He’s Crazy,” was the first No. 1 country hit from a female duo since 1953.
8. “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Ole Days)”
The Judds sixth No. 1 hit happened in 1986 with “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Ole Days).” The Judds won a Grammy Award for Country Duo/Vocal group, and songwriter Jamie O’Hara took home a trophy for the country songwriting category.
9. “Give a Little Love”
In 1988, the Judds released a Greatest Hits album. The first single, “Give a Little Love,” reached No. 2. The lyrics contain humor and sass The Judds became known for.
“You can buy a diamond ring/ And slip it on my hand/ Put me on a big ol’ plane/ And fly me to a foreign land.” The first verse continues, “Show me rows of fancy clothes/ Saying, “Honey you can take your pick/ Well, that would be mighty kind/ But it ain’t gonna do the trick.”
10. “Young Love (Strong Love)”
In 1989, “Young Love (Strong Love)” became The Judds 13th No. 1 song. The first single from River of Time, “Young Love (Strong Love),” was released in Feb. and entered the Billboard country songs chart a few months later in May.
