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.^[1]

"Elizabeth"
Single by The Statler Brothers
from the album Today
B-side	"The Class of '57"
Released	November 1983
Genre	Country
Length	3:26
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Jimmy Fortune
Producer(s)	Jerry Kennedy
The Statler Brothers singles chronology
"Guilty" (1984) "Elizabeth" (1983) "Atlanta Blue" (1985)

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1983–1984) Peak position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] 1 Canadian RPM Country Tracks 12

Year-end charts Chart (1984) Position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 5

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 331.
2. Beck, Ken (February 23, 2016). "Fortune smiles on Jimmy Fortune". Wilson Post.
3. "Grammy-nominated Dailey & Vincent Return to Raleigh". Triangle Arts & Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
4. "The Statler Brothers Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
5. "1985 Talent Almanat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-23. Retrieved June 16, 2021.