The Best T.G. Sheppard Songs of All Time

William Neal Browder began recording music under the name “Brian Stacy.” Unfortunately, none of his records were successful, but he gained a bit of fame with “High School Days.” Browder retreated to work behind the scenes and became a record promoter. When “Devil in the Bottle” was brought to him, Browder was obsessed with it. He wanted to record it himself, but no label he pitched to was interested. He spent his own money to cut a demo, and Melodyland agreed to license it. Since Browder did not want to jeopardize his job, he released the song under “T.G. Sheppard.” It became his professional name, and some of the best T.G. Sheppard’s songs are listed below.

10. Finally

According to Texas Monthly, Gary Chapman’s real love was music and he won his first ever songwriting contract in 1978 with “Father’s Eyes.” Chapman continued being inspired to write songs thanks to his marriage to Amy Grant and some of the lyrics he penned down were to “Finally.” The protagonist is torn between what is in his mind and what is in his heart, but the woman in his life helps to silence his thoughts.

9. The Last Cheater’s Waltz

Sonny Throckmorton learned how to play the guitar at the age of seven and later developed his musical talents. He even became a songwriter, and one of the songs is “The Last Cheater’s Waltz,” which he had previously titled “The Strawberry Waltz.” Throckmorton changed the title to align with the song’s sad theme. Sheppard recorded his version, and unlike the original, which went only as far as No. 47 on Billboard, his peaked at No.1.

8. Devil in the Bottle

Were it not for Waylon Jennings, this song would have never been produced. According to a Soundcloud clip, Sheppard was promoting Jennings’ record, and one evening while they sat in a hotel room, they both started singing. Jennings was captivated by Sheppard’s voice and advised him to stop promoting records and become a singer himself. “Devil in the Bottle” was the first song Sheppard ever recorded and it peaked at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart.

7. I’ll Be Coming Back for More

“I’ll Be Coming Back for More” was penned by Curly Putman and Sterling Whipple. The two songwriters were friends and one day, while Whipple visited Putman, they began brainstorming and settled on an idea about a sex-oriented song. They agreed it would be a perfect fit for Sheppard, who had already been successful with similar songs. Thus, this became the only No.1 single that Whipple would ever enjoy. It talks about a man who has had several relationships but admits that only this particular one means a lot to him.

6. War is Hell

This song tells the story of a woman who has been lonely ever since her husband went to war. The protagonist is only sixteen and has never been intimate with a woman, but this lonely wife is ready to take advantage of the teenager. She lures him to her satin-sheet-covered bed, and due to her guilt, she can only get intimate after placing her husband’s picture face down. She reasons that even if men go through hell on the battlefield, the women back home also face hell.

5. Do You Wanna Go to Heaven

Sheppard noticed how songs with storylines were becoming a favorite among country lovers, going by the success of “The Gambler” and “Coward of the Country” by Kenny Rogers. Consequently, Sheppard also wanted to record a song with a back story, and Curly Putman, who had co-written “Smooth Sailin’” got to work immediately. For some reason, he wanted to have a song about baptism and sex and use metaphors. Thus, he wrote “Do You Wanna Go to Heaven,” while at home but experienced a mental block, so Bucky Jones completed the lyrics.

4. Slow Burn

After working with Buddy Killen for a couple of years, which resulted in eight No.1 hits, Sheppard finally cut ties with Killen to give another producer, Jim Ed Norman, a chance. According to Country Thang Daily, Norman had been a producer for The Eagles and was eager to use the same instrumentation on Sheppard’s new song. Thus, when Charlie Black and Tommy Rocco presented the lyrics of “Slow Burn,” Norman went to work and produced the song to his liking. It was the first song Norman and Shepard collaborated on, and it became an instant hit.

3. Only One You

After “I Loved ‘Em Every One” topped the country charts, songwriters Bucky Jones and Michael Garvin decided to use its tune as a basis for recording “Only One You.” Dan Wilson listened to it and agreed it would be a perfect fit for Sheppard, who was fascinated by how this new record resembled his previous one. He felt it was meant for him and it also peaked at No.1 on the country charts.

2. Party Time

When Bruce Channel wrote the song, it was meant for Jerry Lee Lewis. According to a Facebook post, Lewis put it on hold, and as Sheppard walked by the studio, he heard the song. It captivated him enough to request that if Lewis was not interested in recording the song, Sheppard was more than willing to give it a try. Sheppard’s wish came true when Lewis passed up on the song, leaving the country singer to record it.

1. I Loved ‘Em Every One

This song could be a player’s anthem. The protagonist is reminiscing about the good old days when he could be with any woman he wanted – big and small, tall and short – he did not have a preference. He had one-night stands with some, but others spent a little more time with him. Regardless of their looks or reasons for being with him, he loved them and acknowledged that they would always remain a part of him.

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