The Statler Brothers
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The Statler Brothers, a quartet celebrated for their rich harmonies and captivating storytelling, carved a unique space in country music history. Despite not being actual brothers nor named Statler, Don Reid, Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Lew DeWitt (later replaced by Jimmy Fortune) captivated audiences for decades with their blend of gospel influences, pop sensibilities, and deep country roots hailing from Staunton, Virginia. Their remarkable journey saw them rise from Johnny Cash’s opening act to country music royalty, dominating the charts throughout the 1970s and 80s and earning the CMA Vocal Group of the Year title for nine consecutive years (1972-1980). This enduring success is a testament to the timeless appeal of Statler Brothers Songs, which resonate with generations of listeners.
This article explores 20 of the best Statler Brothers songs, showcasing their versatility across hymns, bluegrass, and rock and roll, while consistently delivering their signature harmonious sound. These selections highlight the enduring legacy of Statler Brothers music and their profound impact on the country music landscape.
20. “Atlanta Blue” (1984)
“Atlanta Blue” offers a distinctive moment in the Statler Brothers discography by spotlighting Harold Reid’s bass vocals. This track infuses their familiar pop-bluegrass style with a subtle reggae-lite groove, creating a sound that was both contemporary and distinctly Statler Brothers. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of longing and heartbreak, grounding the narrator’s sorrow in the specific imagery of Georgia pines and summer heat. Reaching No. 3 on the Billboard country chart, “Atlanta Blue” emerged during a period of remarkable chart consistency for the group, demonstrating their prowess as performers, songwriters, and producers capable of weaving subtle pop nuances into their signature country sound while crafting relatable and memorable narratives.
Atlanta Blue
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19. “Left Handed Woman” (1974)
The Statler Brothers often emphasized their commitment to country music tradition. However, their work frequently showcased a playful and quirky side, exemplified in “Left Handed Woman.” Penned by Don and Harold Reid, the actual brothers in the group, this lighthearted track playfully explores the perceived eccentricities of women. It’s a fun and memorable song that, while making observations about gender, avoids outright sexism and maintains a honky-tonk energy that would feel at home in today’s country music scene. This song highlights the unique charm of Statler Brothers songs, blending humor with their signature harmonies.
18. “Monday Morning Secretary” (1972)
“Monday Morning Secretary” stands out in the Statler Brothers songbook as a poignant and understated character study. In just under three minutes, the song meticulously details a week in the life of an ordinary secretary. Don Reid’s lyrics display an impressive precision and sensitivity, qualities often associated with the contemporary outlaw country movement. However, the Statlers present this nuanced portrayal within a conventional pop-country arrangement, allowing the subtle depth of Reid’s songwriting to be easily appreciated even within a mainstream context. This track underscores the Statlers’ ability to find profound meaning in everyday lives, a hallmark of many classic Statler Brothers hits.
17. “Who Am I To Say” (1978)
“Who Am I To Say,” the first of ten songs written for the band by Harold Reid’s daughter Kim, delves into a more introspective form of regret. The lyrics, “If I’d only been more open and understood her ways,” articulate a sentiment of remorse and a desire for understanding in relationships. These words resonated deeply, expressing a wish many women have likely held, delivered with the Statlers’ signature plaintive harmonies. The song further solidified their late 70s success, spending two weeks at No. 3 on Billboard’s country chart and becoming another popular Statler Brothers song.
16. “You Can’t Have Your Kate and Edith, Too” (1967)
Among the Statler Brothers’ novelty songs, “You Can’t Have Your Kate and Edith, Too” remains one of the most recognizable. This tune, written by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock, cleverly plays on a well-known pun, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard country chart. Its popularity led to its inclusion in their set at Folsom Prison during Johnny Cash’s iconic live recording, demonstrating its appeal and the Statler Brothers’ knack for entertaining songs.
15. “Nobody Wants To Be Country” (1980)
The lament about country music losing its authenticity is a recurring theme throughout the genre’s history. However, the Statler Brothers offered a particularly memorable line in “Nobody Wants To Be Country”: “They’ve traded in the saddle and they all try to straddle the road that will take ‘em to the top.” On this track from their 10th Anniversary album, they embrace Appalachian musical elements to reinforce their point. While acknowledging the Statlers’ own forays into pop-influenced sounds, the song’s critique of commercialism in country music is both charming and effective, arguably more so than many similar critiques. It’s a testament to their ability to engage with genre debates while staying true to their signature Statler Brothers sound.
14. “How Great Thou Art” (1975)
Gospel music formed the foundation of the Statler Brothers’ musical journey. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they continued to record religious songs even after achieving mainstream success. “How Great Thou Art,” a beloved hymn, was released as a single to promote two gospel albums inspired by the Old and New Testaments. These albums, while commercially available, maintained a strong sense of reverence, featuring Biblical readings at the start of nearly every track. Both Old Testament and New Testament albums achieved gold certification, demonstrating the enduring appeal of their gospel recordings and the depth of Statler Brothers’ musical roots.
How Great Thou Art
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13. “Too Much On My Heart” (1985)
“Too Much On My Heart” features Jimmy Fortune on lead vocals and marks his third No. 1 songwriting contribution for the Statler Brothers. This weighty ballad incorporates synth and string arrangements common in 1980s pop music, lending it a contemporary feel. However, the lyrics delve into the subtle complexities of a relationship on the verge of collapse, avoiding clichés and portraying a couple struggling to understand the source of their fracturing bond. This song became the Statlers’ final chart-topper, and the album Pardners In Rhyme became their first and only No. 1 country album, marking a significant moment in their later career and showcasing the continued relevance of Statler Brothers music.
12. “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” (1988)
The Statler Brothers’ well-known humor, soon to be showcased on their weekly television variety show, is evident in “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart.” This minor hit is a honky-tonk ready tune narrating a doomed love affair with a lighthearted approach. The humor arises not only from the unexpected calypso piano riffs but also from the clever wordplay and the narrator’s warm resignation to heartbreak. Even as their presence on country radio waned, the Statler Brothers continued to produce consistently high-quality, grounded country music, as exemplified by this track and many other Statler Brothers songs from the late 80s.
11. “Hello Mary Lou” (1985)
Covers were infrequent in the Statler Brothers’ repertoire, particularly later in their career. However, their rendition of “Hello Mary Lou,” a rockabilly classic, became a hit 25 years after its original release, reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s country chart. While their version features a more distinctly country sound than the original, it retains a strong groove, enhanced by Harold Reid’s deep bass harmonies. This successful cover demonstrates the Statler Brothers’ ability to revitalize classic songs while injecting their own unique style.
10. “I Want To Carry Your Sweet Memories” (1972)
More so than many of their peers, the Statler Brothers possessed the ability to write country songs that felt timeless. “I Want To Carry Your Sweet Memories,” penned by Lew DeWitt, is a prime example. The song conveys a somewhat resentful sentiment in almost biblical language, making its reflections on wanting to move on from a past relationship feel profound and enduring. The combination of sweet harmonies, plucked banjo, and fiddle further enhances the track’s timeless quality, placing it outside of any specific era and solidifying its place among the best Statler Brothers songs.
9. “Years Ago” (1981)
Don Reid’s songwriting is at its most vivid and concise in “Years Ago,” a somewhat bitter yet catchy tune. The song depicts a man attending the wedding of a former love. The memorable line, “The groom won’t shake hands anyway, and I kissed the bride years ago,” delivered over a lively bluegrass rhythm, encapsulates the song’s playful yet poignant tone. As the title track of one of the Statlers’ most nostalgic albums – its cover featuring a photo from their elementary school auditorium – “Years Ago” demonstrates that nostalgia doesn’t always have to be sentimental, and that Statler Brothers songs could explore complex emotions with a touch of humor.
Years Ago
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8. “Bed Of Rose’s” (1970)
Similar to Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy,” released the previous year, “Bed Of Rose’s” uses a play on words in its title to challenge conventional perspectives on sex workers. In this Harold Reid composition, the narrator recounts being taken in as a destitute young man by a woman named Rose, who “managed a late evening business.” While adhering to heart-of-gold tropes, the predictable narrative gains impact from an explicit condemnation of those who “would go to church but left me in the street.” This single became the group’s second major breakthrough, reaching No. 9 on Billboard’s country charts and No. 58 on the Hot 100, and showcasing the Statler Brothers’ ability to tackle socially relevant themes within their music.
7. “(I’ll Even Love You) Better Than I Did Then” (1979)
The Statler Brothers showcase their seductive side in “(I’ll Even Love You) Better Than I Did Then,” a standalone single added to a greatest hits compilation. The smooth countrypolitan balladry, highlighted by the suggestive lyric “nothing on but the radio,” creates a sensual atmosphere. It stands as one of the most overtly romantic songs in the gospel-rooted group’s catalog, demonstrating their versatility and ability to inject a fresh perspective into the familiar theme of post-breakup regret. The single resonated with the era’s boudoir country radio sound, reaching No. 8 on Billboard’s country chart and further expanding the range of Statler Brothers hit songs.
6. “Elizabeth” (1983)
“Elizabeth,” the Statler Brothers’ second No. 1 country song, also marked Jimmy Fortune’s first songwriting contribution to the band. Fortune had recently replaced Lew DeWitt as tenor before the Today album was recorded and achieved immediate success with this simple yet powerful love song at the age of 26. Fortune later cited Elizabeth Taylor’s performance in Giant as his inspiration. The group eventually performed the song for Taylor on her 52nd birthday, solidifying its special place in their history. Today eventually sold 500,000 copies, demonstrating the commercial appeal of Statler Brothers music and the impact of “Elizabeth” in particular.
5. “New York City” (1970)
“New York City” is an unconventional story song that shrouds a complex narrative of pregnancy and infidelity within a gentle, relatively sparse country arrangement and soothing harmonies. Written and sung by Don Reid, the song portrays a man whose partner has left him for New York City, depicted as a metaphorical hell. The song subtly hints at the man’s actions that led to her departure. While not a massive commercial success, the single highlights the Statler Brothers’ artistic depth during their peak alongside Johnny Cash, delivering substantial material in a radio-friendly format. It’s a compelling example of the storytelling prowess found in Statler Brothers songs.
New York City
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4. “Do You Know ‘You Are My Sunshine’” (1978)
Songs about singing became a recurring motif for the Statler Brothers, and “Do You Know ‘You Are My Sunshine’” exemplifies this theme at its best. In this song, a mysterious woman approaches the band and requests “You Are My Sunshine.” The straightforward single, enhanced with subtle countrypolitan strings, became the band’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard country charts, holding the top spot for two weeks. Notably, it was also the only No. 1 hit for original Statler Brothers tenor Lew DeWitt, making it a particularly significant song within their catalog of Statler Brothers hits.
3. “The Class of ‘57” (1972)
Following the success of their nostalgic list song “Do You Remember These?” – which mirrored contemporary memes about “only ‘90s kids know” and reached No. 2 on Billboard’s country charts – the Statler Brothers explored the concept further with “Class of ‘57.” This song matter-of-factly recounts the diverse fortunes of members of a high school graduating class. Reaching No. 6 on the Billboard country charts, it earned them their third Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. “The Class of ’57” cemented the Statler Brothers’ reputation for poignant storytelling and their ability to connect with audiences through relatable narratives of everyday life.
2. “I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You” (1975)
The Statler Brothers’ nostalgic inclinations were often balanced by their awareness of contemporary pop music trends. However, on “I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You,” Don Reid drew inspiration from compositions from a century prior, giving this deeply traditional, bluegrass-tinged love song the feel of a classic hymn. Despite its stylistic divergence from its chart contemporaries, it became one of their most successful singles of the period, even reaching No. 93 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The song was the sole new single from their best-selling album, the triple-platinum compilation The Best of the Statler Bros, highlighting its enduring appeal and the timeless quality of Statler Brothers songs.
1. “Flowers On The Wall” (1965)
“Flowers On The Wall,” arguably the most famous Statler Brothers song, defies easy categorization. It’s a surreal blend of bluegrass banjo, barbershop quartet-esque harmonies, and Lew DeWitt’s vivid, quirky lyrics. This debut charting single encapsulates a slice of 1960s Americana in its truest sense. Reaching No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1965, it garnered four Grammy nominations in both pop and country categories in 1966. They won Grammys for best “contemporary” (rock) performance by a group and best new country and western artist. Beyond awards, its lasting impact is evident in covers by artists ranging from The Muppets to Nancy Sinatra, and references in Kurt Vonnegut’s Palm Sunday and Pulp Fiction. For a song about wallpaper, cigarettes, and Captain Kangaroo, its cultural footprint is remarkable, proving the enduring power of Statler Brothers music and the timeless charm of “Flowers On The Wall.”
Flowers On The Wall
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Did we overlook one of your favorite Statler Brothers songs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
