Charley Pride became country music’s first African-American commercial star in the 1960s and went on to earn 29 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in his pioneering career.
He died Dec. 12 in Dallas at age 86 from complications due to COVID-19.
Pride, who received the 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th annual CMA Awards Nov. 11, turned in his final live performance on the ABC-TV broadcast, a duet version of his biggest hit, 1971’s “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” with Jimmie Allen.
Pride, who hailed from Sledge, Miss., played professional baseball before committing to a career in country music and signed to RCA Records in September 1965. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
Pride leaves a bounty of hits of legendary status. Between 1967 and 1988, he posted 29 No. 1s among 52 top 10s on Hot Country Songs. He also notched 12 No. 1s among 27 top 10s on Top Country Albums.
Here is a recap of Pride’s 40 biggest hits on Hot Country Songs.
Charley Pride’s 40 Biggest Billboard Hits
Rank, Title, Peak Position, Year
1, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” No. 1 (five weeks), 1971
2, “(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again,” No. 1 (three weeks), 1969
3, “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1970
4, “Someone Loves You Honey,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1978
5, “Ev’ry Heart Should Have One,” No. 2, 1984
6, “Wonder Could I Live There Anymore,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1970
7, “Missin’ You,” No. 2, 1980
8, “Never Been So Loved,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1981
9, “Night Games,” No. 1, 1983
10, “Don’t Fight the Feelings of Love,” No. 1, 1973
11, “It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer,” No. 1 (three weeks), 1972
12, “I’m Just Me,” No. 1, (four weeks), 1971
13, “Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town,” No. 3, 1974
14, “Mountain of Love,” No. 1, 1982
15, “Why Baby Why,” No. 1, 1983
16, “She’s Too Good to Be True,” No. 1 (three weeks), 1972
17, “You’re So Good When You’re Bad,” No. 1, 1982
18, “Amazing Love,” No. 1, 1973
19, “Hope You’re Feelin’ Me (Like I’m Feelin’ You),” No. 1, 1975
20, “I Don’t Think She’s in Love Anymore,” No. 2, 1982
21, “Where Do I Put Her Memory,” No. 1, 1979
22, “Honky Tonk Blues,” No. 1, 1980
23, “A Shoulder to Cry On,” No. 1, 1973
24, “All I Have to Offer (Is Me),” No. 1, 1989
25, “Burgers and Fries,” No. 2, 1978
26, “I Can’t Believe That You Stopped Loving Me,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1970
27, “A Whole Lotta Things to Sing About,” No. 2, 1976
28, “My Eyes Can Only See as Far as You,” No. 1, 1976
29, “You Win Again,” No. 1, 1980
30, “I’d Rather Love You,” No. 1, 1971
31, “Kaw-Liga,” No. 3, 1969
32, “The Happiness of Having You,” No. 3, 1976
33, “You’re My Jamaica,” No. 1, 1979
34, “When I Stop Leaving (I’ll Be Gone),” No. 3, 1978
35, “We Could,” No. 3, 1974
36, “I’ll Be Leavin’ Alone,” No. 1, 1979
37, “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger” (billed as by Country Charley Pride), No. 4, 1967
38, “The Day the World Stood Still,” No. 4, 1968
39, “Shouldn’t It Be Easier Than This,” No. 5, 1988
40, “The Easy Part’s Over,” No. 2, 1968
Charley Pride’s Biggest Billboard Hits recap is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs chart. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
