Crystal Chandelier
single
ArtistCarl Belew
AlbumTwelve Shades of Belew
B-sideLonely Hearts Do Foolish Things
Released1965
GenreCountry
Length2:50
LabelRCA Victor
WriterTed Harris
ProducerChet Atkins
Prev year1964
Next year1966
Crystal Chandelier
single
ArtistVic Dana
AlbumCrystal Chandelier
B-sideWhat Now My Love
ReleasedDecember 1965
GenreAdult Contemporary
LabelDolton
WriterTed Harris
Prev year1965
Next year1966
Crystal Chandeliers
CoverCrystal_Chandelier_-_Charley_Pride.jpg
ArtistCharley Pride
AlbumThe Country Way
ReleasedDecember 1967[1]
Recorded1967
GenreCountry
Length2:47
LabelRCA
WriterTed Harris
ProducerChet Atkins, Jack Clement, Felton Jarvis

"Crystal Chandelier" (more commonly known as Crystal Chandeliers) is a 1965 Country song written by Ted Harris and popularized by Charley Pride. The original rendition was sung by Carl Belew. His version reached number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart.[2] It was the first of three charting singles from Belew's eighth studio album, Twelve Shades of Belew.[3]

Vic Dana cover

Vic Dana covered the song in 1965. His version reached number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 19 on the Canadian pop singles chart[4] and number 14 on both the U.S. and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts in early 1966.[5] He also reached number 34 in Australia.

Both Carl Belew and Vic Dana recorded the song under the title "Crystal Chandelier," however, all further covers used the title: Crystal Chandeliers in the plural, reflecting what is said in the lyrics.

Chart history

Chart (1965)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)34
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[6]14
Canada RPM Top Singles[7]19
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8]51
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening14
U.S. Cash Box Top 10053

Charley Pride cover

Charley Pride covered "Crystal Chandeliers" in 1967. The song was included on his number-one selling album, The Country Way. It was produced by Chet Atkins, who had also produced Belew's original rendition.

Pride's version became an instant hit, and received heavy airplay by Country radio stations.[9] Although it was never a hit on the American singles charts, it remains one of the most recognizable and enduring versions of the song.[9]

Other versions

  • Tony and the Graduates covered the song in 1967, reaching number seven in Ireland.[10]
  • Billie Jo Spears covered "Crystal Chandelier" in 1970 on her Country Girl LP.
  • Mattie Fox and the Country Blue Boys version reached number 14 in Ireland in 1973.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Charley Pride - The Country Way (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 42.
  3. ^ "Carl Belew Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  4. ^ R.P.M. Play Sheet, January 10, 1966
  5. ^ "Item: 9642 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  6. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-01-03. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  7. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-01-10. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  8. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  9. ^ "Who Hit With 'Crystal Chandeliers'? Not Charley Pride". Kxrb.com. 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  10. ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know"
  11. ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know"