Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

“Behind Closed Doors” Is The Keystone to Charlie Rich’s Incredible Success

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.
When Charlie Rich issued out a few handfuls of songs, and none achieved much success, he made a bold move to rework his image into a Nashville Sound ballad singer. And it totally paid off when the song “Behind Closed Doors” landed in the No. 1 chart position. Released as a single from his 1973 album of the same name, the song was Pride’s first No. 1 hit on the country charts, where it spent a total of twenty weeks. It was also a crossover hit on the pop charts – peaking at No. 15 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on Billboard Adult Contemporary. It also snagged the top spot on the Country Tracks chart and peaked at No. 5 on Top Singles in Canada.

The Interesting Inspiration of “Behind Closed Doors”

Written by country music singer and songwriter Kenny O’Dell, “Behind Closed Doors” was inspired by the Watergate scandal. O’Dell was stirred by how the Congressional Committee, who was investigating Watergate at the time, had a number of non-public sessions.  “Because they’re always talking about no one know what goes on behind closed doors. Having the sessions, another session, behind closed doors. And I’m thinking, I like the title, ‘Behind Closed Doors,'” he said. However, the song did not sit well – with some radio stations originally banning the record for being too racy for their listeners.  Still, “Behind Closed Doors” helped Rich win a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. O’Dell also earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. He was also given the award for Single of the Year and Song of the Year from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards. “‘Cause people like to talk. Lord, don’t they love to talk. But when they turn out the lights, I know she’ll be leavin’ with me. And when we get behind closed doors, then she lets her hair hang down, and she makes me glad that I’m a man. Oh, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors,” the song goes.  Several artists have since recorded the song, including Perry Como, Ronnie Milsap, Tom Jones, and Percy Sledge. In addition, Diana Ross, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton have all recorded versions in which the genders were reversed. Rich’s son, Charlie Rich Jr., has also often performed the song, such as when he appeared as part of the special Country’s Family Reunion Second Generations. Sitting on a gloss black grand piano, he crooned his father’s beloved first No. 1 hit in front of viewers and the entire room full of colleagues. You can really tell that the younger Rich got some impressive skills from his father. There was definitely no shortage of talent running in this family! Anyway, tune in and watch one of the most incredible performances of Charlie Rich singing “Behind Closed Doors.”

Trending

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.