The Top 10 Songs by Tanya Tucker

She has been singing practically her whole life, since age six, and she has definitely traveled a rough road, as far as her persoanl life goes. I admire Tanya Tucker not just for her great voice, but for the fact she does not try to hide who she is-what you see is what you get. I have heard local radio announcers actually call her “a slut,” among other things, but Tanya seems to survive and persevere through her greatest gift-her poignant voice. She has been called many things, but you sure can’t call her fake.

Scoring her first hit, Delta Dawn at just thirteen, Tanya’s career took off rapidly, with a # 1hit at 14 with What’s Your Mama’s Name, and a Grammy Nomination at 15. At just 21, she began an explosive romance with singer Glen Campbell, which began her battle with cocaine and alcohol. When you listen to her songs, you can truly hear the heart-felt emotion in her voice. The pain, the struggles, the lost loves, her whole life is contained in her music.

Tanya still performs and makes personal appearances. You can catch her on the reality show, Tuckerville on Saturday nights at 10PM ET on TLC. Tanya is scheduled to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, Tuesday, September 12, along with many other favorite country artists for George Jones’ 75th birthday!

Here’s my favorite 10 Tanya songs, starting from number 10:

In the song, Blood Red and Goin’ Down you can tell how young Tanya is-as she matures, her voice has less of the vibrato you hear especially in this song. I was too young to remember this song on the charts, but it is a soulful story told from a child’s perspective about her arguing parents, which escalates to the point of violence. It was her second #1 hit.

Down to My Last Tear Drop is a great song released off Tanya’s highest charting album ever-What Do I Do with Me. It was also greatly responsible for earning Tanya the honor of being named the Country Music Association’s Female Artist of the year in 1991. Down To My Last Teardrop made it all the way to #2 on the Country charts.

Can I See You Tonight peaked the country charts at #4, but is one I still often hear on local radio stations. It was released off the album, Dreamlovers, which also contained the duet with Glen Campbell of the 1959 Bobby Darin classic, Dream Lover. Glen and Tanya’s version was much less successful than Bobby’s, and was buried at its peak at #59 on the Country Singles Charts.

Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone) is another great early song, released in 1974. Written by David Allan Coe, it was a smash country hit for Tanya, reaching #1 on the Country SIngles Charts, and #46 on the Pop Charts.

Two Sparrows In A Hurricane brings back many memories for me, and it is just a beautiful song that I never get tired of listening to, definitely one of my favorites. It was released in 1992 and peaked at #2 on the Country Charts.

It’s A Little Too Late, off the Can’t Run From Yourself, also peaked at #2 in 1992. it’s just a fun-loving song anyone can relate to about meeting the wrong person: “When you walked in, I shoulda walked out, but it’s a little too late to do the right thing now…..”

Delta Dawn is of course, Tanya’s first album and first hit, released all the way back in 1972 when she was only thirteen. This is one of my favorite songs too, and it peaked at #6 on the Country Singles charts. It is a timeless country classic.

One of those songs I just love to sing along with while I’m driving is Walking Shoes, another great “love gone wrong” song. I get the feeling Tanya must have experienced love troubles more than most of us, because it just shows in her music. It was released in 1990, and peaked at #3 on the Country SIngles Charts.

Hangin’ In is one of those songs I loved when I first heard it. The only thing I dislike about it is, during the time of its release, I had a good friend experiencing a break-up, and she identified all too well with this song, and drove me crazy with because she played it constantly. I guess that’s one reason we can call music cathartic-it can help ease the pain in our lives.

My favorite Tanya song came out the year I graduated, all the way back in 1988,which is Strong Enough To Bend. My God, eighteen years ago. I love the harmonies, the music, the words, just every reason you can have for choosing a favorite song.

Tanya is a unique, legendary Country Music pioneer. She has a new CD out called, simply, Tanya, which I plan to check out soon. These days, Tanya is into participating in Cutting Horse Competitions, as well filming as her reality show Tuckerville.
For news and information about where she’s performing, you can log on to her official website.