Crazy

By Willie Nelson
1961

Arguably the most beloved crossover country hit of them all, this one was composed by a young, unknown singer-songwriter who then went by the name of Hugh Nelson (pictured). After the original artist he pitched it to turned it down, Nelson gave it to the husband of country singer Patsy Cline, who was looking for a follow-up to "I Fall to Pieces". Cline reportedly hated the fast tempo, and slowed it down to ballad form. The result was one of the all-time classic recordings. The song would become a pop and jazz standard as well.

Lyrics:

Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely.
I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so blue.

I knew you'd love me as long as you wanted,
And then someday you'd leave me for somebody new.

Worry, why do I let myself worry?
Wond'ring what in the world did I do?

Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you.
I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying,
And I'm crazy for loving you.

Recorded By:

Shirley Bassey
Cassandra Wilson
Norah Jones
Don McLean
Linda Ronstadt

South of the Border

By Jimmy Kennedy & Michael Carr
1939

A unique composition, in which the breezy, swinging melody is in direct contrast to the rueful lyrics, in which a man regrets his deception of a Mexican beauty he returns to when it's too late. It was written for "singing cowboy" Gene Autry, for the film of the same name. Frank Sinatra would record the most famous version nearly 20 years later.

Lyrics:

South of the border, down Mexico way,
That's where I fell in love, where the stars above came out to play.
And now as I wander, my thoughts ever stray
South of the border, down Mexico way.

She was a picture in old Spanish lace.
Just for a tender while, I kissed a smile upon her face.
'Cause it was fiesta, and we were so gay,
South of the border, down Mexico way.

Then she smiled as she whispered, "Manana,"
Never dreaming that we were parting.
Then I lied as a whispered, "Manana,"
'Cause our tomorrow never came.

South of the border, I went back one day.
There in a veil of white, by the candle light, she knelt to pray.
The mission bells told me that I mustn't stay
South of the border, down Mexico way.

Recorded By:

Patsy Cline
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass
Chris Isaak
Charlie Parker
Tommy Dorsey

Cry

By Churchill Kohlman
1951

Early '50s crooner Johnnie Ray introduced this song with what would remain its biggest hit recording. It would later become rather popular with country recording artists, although it was also among Ray Charles' more notable hits.

Lyrics:

If your sweetheart sends a letter of goodbye,
It’s no secret you’ll feel better if you cry.
When waking from a bad dream,
Don’t you sometimes think it’s real?
But it’s only false emotions that you feel.

If your heartaches seem to hang around too long,
And your blues keep getting bluer with each song,
Remember, sunshine can be found behind a cloudy sky,
So let your hair down, and go on and cry.

Recorded By:

Roy Orbison
Crystal Gayle
Vera Lynn
Jerry Lee Lewis
Tammy Wynette

Half as Much

By Curley Williams
1951

A classic example of a country song that became a pop standard, this one was introduced by Hank Williams in 1952, nearly topping the country charts that year. It immediately crossed over, however, thanks to a number-one hit recording the same year by Rosemary Clooney. Since then, much like another Williams' hit, "Cold, Cold Heart", it has become firmly a part of the American songbook.

Lyrics:

If you love me half as much as I love you,
You wouldn't worry me half as much as you do.
You're nice to me when there's no one else around.
You only build me up to let me down.

If you missed me half as much as I miss you,
You wouldn't stay away half as much as you do.
I know that I would never feel so blue,
If you only loved me half as much as I love you.

Recorded By:

Van Morrison
Patsy Cline
Ray Charles
Petula Clark
Peggy Lee

You Belong to Me

By Chilton Price, Pee Wee King & Redd Stewart
1952

For the record, it was Price, a rare solo female songwriter, who wrote this tune for the most part. She gave King & Stewart equal credit in exchange for their promotional work. And successful work it was, as the song was recorded by a multitude of artists in its first year alone. It began life as a country song by Sue Thompson, but it was Jo Stafford's version that became the standard. It would later become adopted by the world of rock n' roll, as epitomized by the Gene Vincent rendition.

Lyrics:

See the pyramids along the Nile,
Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle,
Just remember, darling, all the while,
You belong to me.

See the marketplace in old Algiers,
Send me photographs and souvenirs,
Just remember, when a dream appears,
You belong to me.

I'd be so alone without you,
Maybe you'd be lonesome too,
And blue.

Fly the ocean in a silver plane,
See the jungle when it's wet with rain,
Just remember, till you're home again,
You belong to me.

Recorded By:

Dean Martin
Patsy Cline
The Duprees
Bob Dylan
Tori Amos