List of number-one country singles of 1986 (U.S.)

These are the U.S. number-one country songs of 1986

1986 in country music

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1986.-Events:* January 18 — "American Country Countdown" with Bob Kingsley expands from three to four hours. Several new features — including a chronological playback of songs reaching No...

, per the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...

chart.

Issue date	Title	Artist
January 4	Have Mercy	The Judds The Judds The Judds were an American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. Signed to RCA Records in 1983, the duo released six studio albums between then and 1991. One of the most successful acts in country music history, The Judds won five Grammy Awards for Best Country...
January 11	Morning Desire Morning Desire "Morning Desire" is the title of a song written by Dave Loggins and recorded by Kenny Rogers. It was released in October 1985 as the lead single from the album, The Heart of the Matter. The song was Kenny Rogers' twelfth number one on the country chart as a solo artist...	Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
January 18	Bop Bop (Dan Seals song) "Bop" is the second single released from Dan Seals' 1985 album Won't Be Blue Anymore. It reached #1 on the Country singles chart in early-1986 - his second number one hit, but his first as a solo artist. It was a major crossover hit as well, peaking at #42 on the US Hot 100, and at #10 on the US...	Dan Seals Dan Seals Danny Wayland "Dan" Seals was an American musician. The younger brother of Seals & Crofts member Jim Seals, he first gained fame as the "England Dan" half of the soft rock duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, which charted nine pop and adult contemporary singles between 1976 and 1980, including...
January 25	Never Be You Never Be You "Never Be You" is a 1985 single written by Tom Petty and Benmont Tench and recorded by Rosanne Cash. "Never Be You" was Rosanne Cash's fifth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of 16 weeks on the chart...	Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of the late country music singer Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash Distin....
February 1	Just in Case Just in Case (song) "Just in Case" is a 1985 single written by J.P. Pennington and Sonny LeMaire and recorded by The Forester Sisters. "Just in Case" was The Forester Sisters' second number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for thirteen weeks within the Top 40.-Chart performance:...	The Forester Sisters The Forester Sisters The Forester Sisters are an American country music vocal group consisting of sisters Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester. The quartet had commercial success in the 1980s, charting fifteen Top Tens on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including the Number Ones "I Fell in Love Again Last...
February 8	Hurt Hurt (Roy Hamilton song) "Hurt" is a 1954 song by Jamie Crane and Al Jacobs. "Hurt" was originally performed by Roy Hamilton, whose version peaked at number eight on the R&B Best Seller chart and spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. The song is considered to be the signature hit of Timi Yuro, whose version went to...	Juice Newton Juice Newton Judith Kay "Juice" Newton is an American Pop music and Country singer, songwriter and guitarist...
February 15	Makin' Up for Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers Song) Makin' Up For Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers Song) "Makin' Up for Lost Time " is a 1985 duet by Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris, who co-wrote the song with Dave Loggins. "Makin' Up for Lost Time" was from the CBS TV series, "Dallas" and would be the most successful country hit for the duo of Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris...	Gary Morris Gary Morris Gary Gwyn Morris is an American country music artist who charted a string of countrypolitan-styled hit songs throughout the 1980s.... with Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer best known for her 1977 country-pop hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". An award-winning singer, she accumulated 18 number one country hits during the 1970s and 1980s...
February 22	There's No Stopping Your Heart There's No Stopping Your Heart (song) "There's No Stopping Your Heart" is a 1985 single written by Michael Bonagura and Craig Karp and recorded by Marie Osmond. "There's No Stopping Your Heart" would be Marie Osmond's fifth country hit and her second and last number one on the country chart, as a solo artist...	Marie Osmond Marie Osmond Olive Marie Osmond is an American singer, actress, doll designer, and a member of the show business family The Osmonds. Although she was never part of her family's singing group, she gained success as a solo country music artist in the 1970s and 1980s...
March 1	You Can Dream of Me You Can Dream of Me "You Can Dream of Me" is a 1986 single by Steve Wariner, who co-wrote the song with John Hall. "You Can Dream of Me" would be Steve Wariner's third number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of twenty-two weeks on the country chart.-Chart...	Steve Wariner Steve Wariner Steven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
March 8	Think About Love Think About Love (song) "Think About Love" is a song recorded by Dolly Parton, first released on her 1985 Real Love album. The song, written by Richard "Spady" Brannan and Tom Campbell, was an uptempo pop tune, employing synthesizers and other distinctive pop flourishes...	Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
March 15	I Could Get Used to You I Could Get Used to You "I Could Get Used to You" is a 1985 single by Exile. "I Could Get Used to You" was written by then-lead singer J.P. Pennington and bass player Sonny LeMaire and was the seventh number one country hit for Exile. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the...	Exile Exile (American band) Exile, originally known as The Exiles, is an American band founded in Richmond, Kentucky by J.P. Pennington. They started by playing local clubs which led to touring with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars opening shows and providing backup for major rock artists of the period.Their name was shortened...
March 22	What's a Memory Like You (Doing in a Love Like This) What's a Memory Like You (Doing in a Love Like This) "What's a Memory Like You " is a 1986 single written by Charles Quillen and John Jarrard and recorded by John Schneider. "What's a Memory Like You " was John Schneider's third number one on the country chart...	John Schneider John Schneider (television actor) John Richard Schneider III is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his portrayal of Bo Duke in the 1980s American television series The Dukes of Hazzard, and as Jonathan Kent on Smallville, a 2001 television adaptation of Superman.Alongside his acting career, Schneider performed as a...
March 29	Don't Underestimate My Love for You Don't Underestimate My Love For You "Don't Underestimate My Love for You" is a 1985 single written by Dave Loggins, Steve Dorff, and Steve Diamond and recorded by Lee Greenwood. Greenwood's fifth number one country single in the United States, it spent one week at the top of the Billboard country chart in March 1986 and twelve weeks...	Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood Melvin Lee Greenwood is an American country music artist. Active since the early 1980s, he has released more than twenty major-label albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts....
April 5	100% Chance of Rain	Gary Morris
April 12	She and I She and I "She and I" is a song written by Dave Loggins and recorded by American country music band Alabama. Originally released in December 1985, the song — an uptempo, rock-tinged song professing marital lust — was one of two new tracks on Alabama's first greatest hits album.The song became their 19th...	Alabama Alabama (band) Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
April 19	Cajun Moon Cajun Moon "Cajun Moon is a 1986 single written by Jim Rushing and recorded Ricky Skaggs. "Cajun Moon" was Ricky Skaggs' tenth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent thirteen weeks on the country chart ....	Ricky Skaggs Ricky Skaggs Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
April 26	Now and Forever (You and Me) Now and Forever (You and Me) "Now and Forever is a 1986 single written by David Foster, Randy Goodrum, and Jim Vallance and recorded by Anne Murray. The song was Murray's ninth and final number one as a solo artist. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the U.S. country...	Anne Murray Anne Murray Morna Anne Murray CC, ONS is a Canadian singer in pop, country and adult contemporary styles whose albums have sold over 54 million copies....
May 3	Once in a Blue Moon Once in a Blue Moon (song) "Once in a Blue Moon" is the title of a song written by Robert Byrne and Tom Brasfield and recorded by Earl Thomas Conley. It was released in January 1986 as the second and final single from the compilation album, "Greatest Hits". The song was Earl Thomas Conley's eleventh number one on the country...	Earl Thomas Conley Earl Thomas Conley Earl Thomas Conley is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1980 and 2003, he recorded ten studio albums, including seven for the RCA Records label. In the 1980s and into the 1990s, Conley also charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which...
May 10	Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days) Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days) "Grandpa " is a 1986 song written by Jamie O'Hara, and made famous by The Judds."Grandpa" — as the song is sometimes known — is a reflection on days gone by, wherein the narrator expresses discontent about the decline in traditional values, the hectic lifestyle of the day and how progress hasn't...	The Judds
May 17	Ain't Misbehavin' Ain't Misbehavin' (song) "Ain't Misbehavin" is a 1929 song written by Thomas "Fats" Waller, Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf . Waller recorded the original version that year for Victor Records and also later performed the song in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. It was used in the off-broadway musical Connie's Hot Chocolates...	Hank Williams, Jr. Hank Williams, Jr. Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
May 24	Tomb of the Unknown Love Tomb of the Unknown Love "Tomb of the Unknown Love" is the title of a song written by Michael Smotherman and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in February 1986 as the second and final single from the album, The Heart of the Matter. The song was Kenny Rogers' thirteenth number one...	Kenny Rogers
May 31	Whoever's in New England Whoever's in New England (song) "Whoever's in New England" is the name of a popular single made famous by Reba McEntire in 1986. The song was considered one of her signature and breakthrough singles.-Song background:...	Reba McEntire Reba McEntire Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
June 7	Happy, Happy Birthday Baby Happy, Happy Birthday Baby "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" is a 1957 song written by Margo Sylvia & Gilbert Lopez. "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" was originally performed by The Tune Weavers, who had their only hit with this song. Both Margo Sylvia and Gilbert Lopez were members of The Tune Weavers. The single went to number...	Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s...
June 14	Life's Highway Life's Highway (song) "Life's Highway" is a song recorded by country music artist Steve Wariner and was his fourth number-one hit on the country chart . It was the second single from his 1986 album of the same name and was a #2 hit in Canada.-Chart performance:...	Steve Wariner
June 21	Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes" is a 1986 single written by Terry Skinner and J.L. Wallace and recorded by The Forester Sisters. "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes" was The Forester Sisters' third number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fifteen...	The Forester Sisters
June 28	Living in the Promiseland Living in the Promiseland "Living in the Promiseland" is a 1986 single written by David Lynn Jones and recorded by Willie Nelson. "Living in the Promiseland" was Willie Nelson's twelfth number one single on the country chart as a solo artist, spending one week at number one and twenty weeks on the chart.In 1988, Jones...	Willie Nelson Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
July 5	Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold) Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold) "Everything That Glitters " is the third and final single released from Dan Seals' 1985 album Won't Be Blue Anymore. It peaked at number-one in both the United States and Canada.-Content:...	Dan Seals
July 12	Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love) Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love) "Hearts Aren't Made to Break " is a 1986 single written by Roger Murrah and Steve Dean and recorded by Lee Greenwood. "Hearts Aren't Made to Break " was Lee Greenwood's sixth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the...	Lee Greenwood
July 19	Until I Met You Until I Met You "Until I Met You" is a country music song released as a single in 1986 by American country music artist, Judy Rodman. It was Rodman's fourth-issued single and her only song to reach #1 on the Billboard Country chart .-Song information:...	Judy Rodman Judy Rodman Judy Rodman is an American Country Music Singer. In the mid-80s, she was a successful country music singer, making all the way to number one on the country charts in 1986 with the song "Until I Met You." She also won the Academy of Country Music's "Top New Female Vocalist" award in 1985.Today,...
July 26	On the Other Hand On the Other Hand "On the Other Hand" is a country music song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. First recorded by Keith Whitley on his 1985 album L.A. to Miami, it was later released as a single by Randy Travis. It was the lead-off single to his 1986 album Storms of Life, and it peaked at #67 in the United...	Randy Travis Randy Travis Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
August 2	Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her" is the title of a song written by Dean Dillon and recorded by American country singer George Strait in 1986....	George Strait George Strait George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
August 9	Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" is a 1986 single by The Judds. "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" was written by Brent Maher and Don Schlitz and was The Judds' seventh number one country single. The single went to number one for one week and spent twelve weeks on the country chart...	The Judds
August 16	You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight "You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight" is the title of a song written by Don Pfrimmer and David Wills and recorded by American country music artist John Schneider. "You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight" was John Schneider's fourth and last number one on the country chart...	John Schneider
August 23	Strong Heart Strong Heart (T.G. Sheppard song) "Strong Heart" is a 1986 song written by Tommy Rocco, Charlie Black, and Austin Roberts and recorded by T. G. Sheppard. "Strong Heart" was Sheppard's fourteenth and last number-one on the U.S. country singles chart. The single spent one week at the top of the chart in August 1986.-Chart...	T. G. Sheppard T. G. Sheppard T. G. Sheppard is an American country music singer, who had 14 number one hits during the 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:...
August 30	Heartbeat in the Darkness Heartbeat in the Darkness "Heartbeat in the Darkness" is a 1986 single written by Dave Loggins and Russell Smith and recorded by Don Williams. "Heartbeat in the Darkness" was Don Williams' seventeenth and final number one on the country chart. The single spent one week at number one and spent a total of thirteen weeks on...	Don Williams Don Williams Don Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
September 6	Desperado Love Desperado Love "Desperado Love" is a 1986 single written by Michael Garvin and Sammy Johns and recorded by Conway Twitty. "Desperado Love" was Conway Twitty's 35th and final number one country hit as a solo artist...	Conway Twitty Conway Twitty Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
September 13	Little Rock Little Rock (Reba McEntire song) "Little Rock" is a song written by Pat McManus, Bob DiPiero, and Gerry House. It was recorded by American country music artist, Reba McEntire for her 1986 studio album, Whoever's in New England. Produced by Jimmy Bowen and McEntire, the song was released as the album's second single, reaching...	Reba McEntire
September 20	Got My Heart Set on You Got My Heart Set on You "Got My Heart Set on You" is a 1986 single written by Dobie Gray and Bud Reneau and recorded by John Conlee. "Got My Heart Set on You" was John Conlee's seventh and final number one country hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the country...	John Conlee John Conlee John Conlee is an American country music singer. Between 1978 and 2004, Conlee charted a total of thirty-two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and recorded eleven studio albums...
September 27	In Love	Ronnie Milsap
October 4	Always Have, Always Will	Janie Fricke Janie Fricke Janie Fricke is an American country music singer, best remembered for a series of country music hits in the early to mid 1980s....
October 11	Both to Each Other (Friends and Lovers)	Eddie Rabbitt Eddie Rabbitt Edward Thomas "Eddie" Rabbitt was an American singer-songwriter and musician. His career began as a songwriter in the late 1960s, springboarding to a recording career after composing hits such as "Kentucky Rain" for Elvis Presley in 1970 and "Pure Love" for Ronnie Milsap in 1974... with Juice Newton
October 18	Just Another Love Just Another Love "Just Another Love" is a 1986 single written by Paul Davis and recorded by Tanya Tucker.-Success:A track on Girls Like Me, her first album of new material released since 1982, "Just Another Love" became Tucker's seventh No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. In doing so, the song became...	Tanya Tucker Tanya Tucker Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
October 25	Cry Cry (Churchill Kohlman song) "Cry" is the title of a 1951 popular song written by Churchill Kohlman. The song was first recorded by Ruth Casey on the Cadillac label. The biggest hit version was recorded in New York City by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads on October 16, 1951....	Crystal Gayle
November 1	It'll Be Me It'll Be Me "It'll Be Me" is a 1986 single by Exile. "It'll Be Me", which was written by then-lead singer J.P. Pennington and bass player Sonny LeMaire and featured Les Taylor and lead vocals, was Exile's seventh number one country single. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of...	Exile
November 8	Diggin' Up Bones Diggin' Up Bones "Diggin' Up Bones" is a song recorded by country music artist Randy Travis. It was the third single to his 1986 album Storms of Life. It peaked at number-one in both the United States and Canada.-Chart positions:...	Randy Travis
November 15	That Rock Won't Roll That Rock Won't Roll "That Rock Won't Roll" is the title of a song written by Bob DiPiero and John Scott Sherrill and recorded by American country music group Restless Heart. It was released in 1986 as the lead single from the album, Wheels. The song was Restless Heart's fifth country hit and the first of six...	Restless Heart Restless Heart Restless Heart is an American country music band established in 1984. The band's original members were John Dittrich , Paul Gregg , Dave Innis , Greg Jennings , and Verlon Thompson...
November 22	You're Still New to Me You're Still New to Me "You're Still New to Me" is a 1986 duet by Marie Osmond with Paul Davis. "You're Still New to Me" was written by Davis and Paul Overstreet and was the only collaboration as a duo for Marie Osmond and Paul Davis and went to number one on the country chart. The single was number one for one week...	Paul Davis Paul Davis (singer) Paul Lavon Davis was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his radio hits and solo career which started worldwide in 1970. His career encompassed soul, country and pop music... with Marie Osmond
November 29	Touch Me When We're Dancing Touch Me When We're Dancing "Touch Me When We're Dancing" is a song written by Terry Skinner, J. L. Wallace and Ken Bell. Skinner and Wallace headed the Muscle Shoals, Alabama session group Bama, who first recorded this song and released it as a single in 1979 reaching the Billboard Easy Listening chart at #42 and ranking on...	Alabama
December 6	It Ain't Cool to Be Crazy About You It Ain't Cool to Be Crazy About You "It Ain't Cool to Be Crazy About You" the title of a song co-written by Dean Dillon and Royce Porter and recorded by country music artist George Strait. It was released in August 1986 as the second and final single from his 1986 album, #7. It became his 9th #1 single.-Content:The narrator is a man...	George Strait
December 13	Hell and High Water Hell and High Water (song) Hell and High Water" is a 1986 single by T. Graham Brown, who co-wrote the song with Alex Harvey. "Hell and High Water" was T. Graham Brown's third country hit and the first of three number ones on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fifteen weeks on...	T. Graham Brown T. Graham Brown Anthony "T." Graham Brown is an American country music artist. Active since 1986, Brown has recorded a total of thirteen studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts...
December 20	Too Much Is Not Enough Too Much Is Not Enough "Too Much is Not Enough" is a 1986 single and collaboration by The Bellamy Brothers along with The Forester Sisters. "Too Much is Not Enough" was written by David Bellamy and Ron Taylor and became the ninth number one on the country chart for the The Bellamy Brothers. The single went to number...	The Bellamy Brothers with The Forester Sisters
December 27	Mind Your Own Business Mind Your Own Business (song) "Mind Your Own Business" is a 1949 song written and originally performed by Hank Williams. "Mind Your Own Business" went to number six on the C&W Best Seller list where it stayed for two weeks.-Cover versions:...	Hank Williams, Jr. featuring Reba McEntire, Tom Petty Tom Petty Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T... , Reverend Ike Reverend Ike Reverend Ike was an American minister and electronic evangelist based in New York City. He was best known for the slogan "You can't lose with the stuff I use!"-Background:... , & Willie Nelson

See also