Dottie West Songs Made Famous During The Nashville Sound Era

1. Here Comes My Baby

The song was one of the many tunes written and made famous by Dottie West. It was released at a time when West was still trying to make it big in Music City. Much to West’s surprise, the song reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making it her first national hit. Even more fascinating was that the song won her a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, making West the first female in the genre to ever win a Grammy Award.

Because of the success of “Here Comes My Baby,” West earned a spot on the Grand Ole Opry.

2. Every Time Two Fools Collide

Released on West’s album of Duets with Kenny Rogers, the song was the first and is perhaps the most iconic among the duo’s collaboration. “Every Time Two Fools Collide” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it remained atop for two weeks. It also helped West and Rogers take home the most coveted Vocal Duo of the Year from the CMA Awards.

3. What Are We Doin’ in Love

West and Rogers have since become one of the most successful duos until they went their separate ways to become solo artists again. While the two occasionally performed together, “What Are We Doin’ in Love” was their final recorded duet.

The song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and was a crossover hit, peaking at No. 14 on Billboard Hot 100.

4. Last Time I Saw Him

The song was originally released by Diana Ross in 1973, whose version peaked at No. 14 on Billboard Hot 100.

A year later, West expediently covered the “Last Time I Saw Him” for the country music audience. It reached No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

5. Would You Hold It Against Me

West co-wrote “Would You Hold Against Me” with her first husband, Bill West, and was released off her highest-selling solo album of all time, Surfer Time. The song – about a woman who left her husband for another man and is now wondering if her decision was right – absolutely set the stage for a couple of other hits in the 1960s for West.

6. You Pick Me Up (And Put Me Down)

This hit tune was among West’s series of records that showcased her newly adopted pop-oriented style that is somewhat far from her infamous Nashville Sound and honky-tonk styles of country music. Still, it became popular with fans during the early 1980s, reaching No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

7. Country Girl

West co-wrote the song with singer-songwriter Red Lane, and it absolutely identified her early career persona. It describes a girl’s love for the country and the carefree feeling it brings – like the blue skies, green meadows, and of course, the home-cooked meals.

The lyrics of the song’s chorus are actually written on West’s grave.

8. Paper Mansions

This is one of West’s better-known hits from the 1960s and was her last Top 10 hit as a solo act during the decade. Written by Ted Harris, the song finds West asking her lover not to make promises that he can’t keep. She’s afraid he’ll leave her once again with nothing but pretty words that glow.

9. A Lesson in Leavin’

West earned her first solo chart-topper thanks to “A Lesson in Leavin’” – which finds her lamenting about the man who left her and how she hopes somebody’s going to do to him what he has done to her. The song helped West revitalize her career following a series of unsuccessful solo singles in the 1970s and helped her endure popularity.

In 1999, country singer Jo Dee Messina released her version of the song as a tribute to West, who died in 1991.

10. It’s High Time

While “It’s High Time” wasn’t one of West’s highest-charting singles, it was noteworthy as her last significant hit in the country charts – where it peaked at No. 16. Soon enough, West’s popularity would dramatically decrease as a new wave of traditional country singers moved into Music City.