Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at country icon Randy Travis and his newest greatest hits compilation, showcasing his no. 1 country singles.
Week of 05/01/2015
WHO: Randy Travis
WHAT: On The Other Hand: All The Number Ones
SPOT: 191
Randy Travis doesn't seem like he needs any more promotion...this represents the sixth collection of "hits" the country icon has released in the last five years. One the other hand, On The Other Hand might be the best bet for casual fans as it makes things simple, including every one of the performer's no. 1 country hits from his career. And he needs at least three "other" hands to count those 15 singles.
He began his career as a genre all star during 1986, when his singles from Storms of Life—"On The Other Hand" and "Diggin' Up Bones"—went to no. 1. His career accelerated faster upon the release of next album Always & Forever as "Forever and Ever, Amen"—probably still his most popular track to this day—kicked off a streak of seven singles that topped the country charts.
The organizers behind All The Number Ones don't put too much thought into the organization here, simply lining up tracks chronologically from when they peaked on the charts. As lazy as that might seem, it works perfectly (n your correspondent's opinion). Travis, for as many heartfelt and heartbreaking ballads as he's recorded, has always reflected those emotions in his lyrics and not necessarily his voice. That's why "Three Wooden Crosses"—his final no. 1, released during 2002—also serves as his masterpiece...a narrative that touching could bring tears to the eyes regardless of who sings it.
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