Elizabeth (The Statler Brothers song)

"Elizabeth" is a song written by Jimmy Fortune, and recorded by American country music group The Statler Brothers. It was released in November 1984 as the second single from the album Today. The song was The Statler Brothers' 44th country hit and their second number one on the country charts. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of 13 weeks on the country charts.

Background

"Elizabeth" is the first song written by Jimmy Fortune, which he wrote soon after joining The Statler Brothers (Fortune had replaced Lew DeWitt, who departed the group in 1982 after a chronic illness). Fortune already had a tune in mind, and he was inspired to title the song "Elizabeth" after watching a film, Giant starring Elizabeth Taylor, before a show, and then met a young girl who introduced herself as Elizabeth in the audience during the show. The Statler Brothers would later perform the song for Elizabeth Taylor on her 52nd birthday.

The song was the first No. 1 Statler Brothers' hit to feature Fortune on lead vocals. A music video for "Elizabeth" was produced, but is not included on the Statler Brothers VEVO page or elsewhere.

Bluegrass music band Dailey & Vincent covered the song on their 2010 album Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers. This version was nominated for the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1983–1984)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)	1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	12

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)	Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)	5

References

Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 331.
Beck, Ken (February 23, 2016). "Fortune smiles on Jimmy Fortune". Wilson Post.
"Grammy-nominated Dailey & Vincent Return to Raleigh". Triangle Arts & Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
"The Statler Brothers Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
"1985 Talent Almanat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-23. Retrieved June 16, 2021.

v t e The Statler Brothers
Phil Balsley Lew DeWitt Jimmy Fortune Don Reid Harold Reid
Studio albums	Flowers on the Wall Sing the Big Hits How Great Thou Art Bed of Rose's Pictures of Moments to Remember Short Stories Entertainers...On and Off the Record Christmas Card The Originals 10th Anniversary Years Ago The Legend Goes On Today Atlanta Blue Pardners in Rhyme Christmas Present Four for the Show Maple Street Memories
Notable singles	"I Still Miss Someone" "Flowers on the Wall" "Oh Happy Day" "Bed of Rose's" "Do You Remember These" "The Class of '57" "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You" "How Great Thou Art" "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine" "Who Am I to Say" "The Official Historian on Shirley Jean Berrell" "How to Be a Country Star" "Nothing as Original as You" "Charlotte's Web" "In the Garden" "Don't Wait on Me" "Years Ago" "You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dreams)" "Whatever" "A Child of the Fifties" "Oh Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)" "Guilty" "Elizabeth" "Atlanta Blue" "One Takes the Blame" "My Only Love" "Hello Mary Lou" "Too Much on My Heart" "Sweeter and Sweeter" "Count On Me" "Only You" "Forever" "I'll Be the One" "The Best I Know How" "Let's Get Started If We're Gonna Break My Heart" "More Than a Name on a Wall"
Related articles	Discography

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