Every Baby Boomer Alive Remembers These 4 Must-Hear Country Ballads From 1964

Four country ballads associated with 1964 reached high positions on country charts, including three that topped a chart or reached the US top five. The songs highlight the work of performers Jim Reeves, Charlie Louvin, Loretta Lynn and Connie Smith, as well as songwriters Bill Anderson, Werly Fairburn and Betty Sue Perry.

Reeves’ “I Guess I’m Crazy” reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles chart, though Werly Fairburn wrote it and Tommy Collins had recorded it earlier. Louvin’s “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, released as a single in 1963 before its 1964 album, reached No. 4 in the US and topped Canada’s country chart; Kitty Wells and George Jones were among those who covered it. Lynn’s “Before I’m Over You” peaked at No. 4 in the US, while Smith’s Bill Anderson-penned “Once A Day” reached No. 1 on both the Hot Country Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.