Mickey Gilley, the celebrated country music star renowned for his captivating piano melodies and smooth crooning, passed away on May 7th at the age of 86 in Branson, Missouri. Growing up alongside his famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, Gilley carved his own unique path in the music world, leaving behind a rich catalog of Mickey Gilley Songs that resonated with country music fans for decades.
From 1968 to 1989, Mickey Gilley dominated the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, amassing an impressive 46 entries. Seventeen of these soared to the coveted No. 1 spot, while 34 reached the top 10, solidifying his status as a country music powerhouse. His success extended to albums as well, with 27 entries on the Top Country Albums chart, including 10 top 10 albums. Two of his LPs, Room Full of Roses (1974) and City Lights (1975), reached the pinnacle, further cementing his place in country music history. These chart-topping achievements highlight the enduring popularity of Mickey Gilley songs and their impact on the country music landscape.
Mickey Gilley performing on stage
Born in Natchez, Mississippi, on March 9, 1936, Gilley first reached the peak of the Hot Country Songs chart in June 1974 with “Room Full of Roses,” a song that held the No. 1 position for a week and became one of his signature Mickey Gilley songs. His final No. 1 hit was a collaboration with Charly McClain in 1983, “Paradise Tonight,” showcasing his ability to connect with other artists and continue producing chart-topping Mickey Gilley songs even later in his career.
The 1980 film Urban Cowboy marked a significant turning point in Gilley’s career and further amplified the popularity of Mickey Gilley songs. A substantial portion of the movie, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger, was filmed at Gilley’s, his massive honky-tonk in Pasadena, Texas, which he established in 1972. The club’s iconic mechanical bull became a symbol of the era and was prominently featured in the film, ridden by Travolta’s character “Bud.” Although the club tragically burned down in 1990, its legacy, and the association with Mickey Gilley songs, remains strong.
The Urban Cowboy soundtrack, heavily featuring Mickey Gilley songs, dominated the Top Country Albums chart for eight weeks starting in August 1980 and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Among the standout Mickey Gilley songs from the soundtrack was his rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Stand by Me,” which topped the Hot Country Songs chart and reached No. 22 on the all-genre Hot 100 in August 1980. This crossover hit remains one of the most recognized Mickey Gilley songs, showcasing his versatility and appeal beyond just the country genre.
Gilley’s final appearance on the Hot Country Songs chart was in 1989 with “There I Said It Again,” which reached No. 53. While this marked the end of his chart run, the extensive catalog of Mickey Gilley songs continues to be enjoyed by fans worldwide.
Here are 20 of Mickey Gilley’s biggest Billboard hits, ranked by their performance on the Hot Country Songs chart, reflecting the enduring appeal of Mickey Gilley songs:
Mickey Gilley’s Biggest Billboard Hits
- “She’s Pulling Me Back Again,” No. 1 (1 week), 4/30/1977
- “I Overlooked an Orchid,” No. 1 (1 week), 11/2/1974
- “Window Up Above,” No. 1 (1 week), 6/7/1975
- “Lonely Nights,” No. 1 (1 week),2/6/1982
- “Paradise Tonight” with Charly McClain, No. 1 (1 week), 10/15/1983
- “True Love Ways,” No. 1 (1 week), 7/19/1980
- “Tears of the Lonely,” No. 3, 6/12/1982
- “Don’t the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time,” No. 1 (1 week), 5/1/1976
- “Bring It On Home to Me,” No. 1 (1 week), 8/21/1976
- “That’s All That Matters to Me,” No. 1 (1 week), 12/20/1980
- “A Headache Tomorrow (Or a Heartache Tonight),” No. 1 (1 week), 4/25/1981
- “You Don’t Know Me,” No. 1 (1 week), 9/19/1981
- “Fool for Your Love,” No. 1 (1 week), 6/25/1983
- “Room Full of Roses,” No. 1 (1 week), 6/29/1974
- “Stand by Me,” No. 1 (1 week), 8/9/1980
- “Talk to Me,” No. 1 (1 week), 1/29/1983
- “City Lights,” No. 1 (1 week), 2/1/1975
- “Put Your Dreams Away,” No. 1 (1 week), 10/2/1982
- “Doo-Wah Days,” No. 6, 10/25/1986
- “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” No. 2, 3/31/1984
Mickey Gilley’s Biggest Billboard Hits ranking is based on weekly performance on Billboard‘s weekly Hot Country Songs chart.
Mickey Gilley’s contribution to country music through his memorable Mickey Gilley songs will forever be remembered. His music continues to touch hearts and evoke the spirit of the urban cowboy era, ensuring his legacy endures for generations to come.
