The 10 Best Patsy Cline Songs of All-Time
Despite her death, following a plane crash in 1963, Patsy Cline’s music sales saw a boom in recent years, largely due to the 1985 movie “Sweet Dreams,” which depicted her. Patsy Cline is famous for hit songs such as “Crazy, and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Patsy Cline is one of the most iconic vocalists of the 20th century. In Gore, Virginia, where she briefly lived with her parents, officials were mulling the idea of turning Gore Elementary School into a Patsy Cline Museum. In Elkton, officials were planning to build a Cline Concert Hall and Museum at the town center. This is just a testament to the kind of legacy that Patsy Cline has left in country music. Patsy’s single-handedly created modern-day female expressions through emotional storytelling in her songs. Here is a list of the ten greatest Patsy Cline Songs of all time.
10. I Fall to Pieces
Patsy Cline got to record this track by chance after overhearing an argument between Bradley and Roy Drusky, who turned down the chance of recording the song, stating that it was not a man’s song. Patsy Cline recorded the song, which later received widespread recognition from different music associations, including the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and Rolling Stone. “I Fall to Pieces” is one of Patsy Cline’s greatest ever songs and has been lauded as the ideal standard for country music.
9. Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray
This track is one of the songs that Patsy Cline released through Decca Records in 1957. She recorded many sessions that year alone, but none of these songs charted or became popular on the radio immediately after their release. However, “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray” was a fan favorite and has been covered by several artists since its release.
8. Leavin’ on Your Mind
Even if you hate country music, you cannot hate Patsy Cline’s beautifully and masterfully sung songs. When she released this track in 1957, Pasty Cline was at her peak. Despite the fact that this track never performed commercially well as it was expected, the critics were kind to it, with many of them hailing it as a country great.
7. Always
This track is contained in Patsy Cline’s posthumously released album, Always. The main intention for releasing this album was to promote Patsy Cline’s material from the 1960s. The track marked a return to prominence for Patsy Cline, who had died close to two decades earlier. “Always” peaked at position 18 on the US Country Singles at the end of 1980.
6. Foolin’ Around
Despite its slight inconsistencies, this song is a cowgirl’s dream. It isn’t her most girl-power-centric anthem, but it has some hints that would inspire any girl to break out those boots and skirt for an evening dance. “Foolin’ Around” was included in Patsy Cline’s album, The Ultimate Collection, which was released in 2000.
5. Back in Baby’s Arms
Patsy Cline’s “Back in Baby’s Arms” is a song that failed to make it into the charts but was included in her Greatest Hits collection released in 1967. The second release sold more than 10 million copies and was certified diamond by the RIAA. The track was used as a soundtrack for the 1980 biographical musical film “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
4. So Wrong
By the time Patsy Cline released this song in 1962, Patsy Cline had achieved a lot of mainstream success through songs such as “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.” This track was an expression of how someone had wronged their lover and their regret for breaking up, now that they miss them. The track is featured in an episode of the popular hit TV series CSI.
3. Sweet Dreams
Cline’s performance of “Sweet Dreams” is a landmark in both country and pop music. The song had already been recorded twice, first by Don Gibson with his iconic 12-string guitar for Top 10 hit that became quite popular after being performed by Faron Young two decades earlier. The track became more successful after Cline took up recording during what turned out to be her last recording sessions before succumbing to death. The track was therefore released shortly after her death. The song features beautiful vocals from Patsy Cline, and we often wonder how great she would have been if she had lived a bit longer.
2. Walkin’ After Midnight
I personally love most Patsy Cline songs, but this one has to be my favorite. The track was a moment of truth for Patsy Cline, and she did not disappoint. “Walkin’ After Midnight” is one of the most popular songs in country music history to date. The track peaked at position two on the Billboard Charts and has been certified gold by the RIAA in addition to selling numerous copies globally.
1. Crazy
When Cline recorded “Crazy,” she had already achieved immense popularity with the well-known hit single “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Willie Nelson wrote this song before becoming one of Nashville’s most influential songwriters and finding success in his own right. At first, they were recording because it was too reminiscent of an old ballad arrangement that didn’t suit her voice. After some time off from singing due to injuries sustained from auto accidents earlier on during the production process, Patsy Cline recreated what many would say is now an iconic version of the song. The track peaked at position 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles and is Willie Nelson’s favorite version of the song, which he described as “was alot of magic.”