The 70's Game: Dolly vs. Crystal

[Rick Henry]

Here's round two of the 70's Game.

Which country diva's hit do you like better?

Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton reached #3 on the pop charts in January 1978 and was also a #1 country hit.

Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue by Crystal Gayle reached #2 toward the end of 1977 and was a #1 country music hit.

[beaner]

Not a big fan of Crystal Gayle but I do prefer her song over Dolly's. One of my favorites of Dolly's is "Coat of many colors".

Beaner

[wisejester7]

I like both women, but I think Dolly has quite an edge over Crystal. Dolly's voice is remarkably pliable, she has super business savvy, and writes many of her own songs.

As for the 2 songs in this comparison, I choose the more up beat Here You Come Again.

[ps11932]

I vote for "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."

[GoodOldDreams]

I like Crystal Gayle's moody "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" better than Dolly's "Here You Come Again." Crystal's clear voice and bluesy piano accompaniment resonate more deeply with me.

However, to her credit, Dolly Parton has greater talents in songwriting and acting beyond singing, aside from her earthy humor and optimism. Were it not for Dolly, Whitney Houston would not have the chilling "I Will Always Love You" to sing!

[Rick Henry]

This was a tough one for me as I love both Dolly and Crystal almost equally. Overall Dolly is the one with the mega talents... songwriting, business woman, movies and great personality. Though, Crystal on the side is quite possibly the most beautiful woman in the history of popular music. She is a humble and down to earth type personality which I find to be quite appealing. Both Crystal and Dolly have continued recording new music to this day. Dolly's most recent albums are outstanding bluegrass. While Crystal has been recording the standards as well as Christian themed southern gospel. Crystal and Dolly both have unique and recognizeable vocal styles. There's a lot to love about both singers.

My choice... I had to go with "Don't It make My Brown Eyes Blue". This is a tasty number with a fantastic bluesy feel to it. Crystal voice is magnificent in this song. Two thumbs all the way up.

[enigma]

Tough one here both artists are great both songs are great but I went with Here You Come Again though it really could have gone either way as I love both songs.

[Rick Henry]

Good response to this round. I'll keep this one open until sometime tonight - then I will post round three.

[wisejester7]

This is a quick moving game.

Refreshing!

[Rick Henry]

One of my favorite pics of Crystal...

[YesterdayOnceMore]

You've all said it so well already - although Dolly is a wonderful singer/songwriter (though, I must admit, it took me a while to get to the point of thinking of her as wonderful....mostly just due to my own tastes in music), I much prefer to listen to Crystal Gayle singing Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. And Blue is what I like about the number - it's a bluesy tune, that makes one feel good, and I think Crystal sings this one nicely.

There are many Dolly songs that I have grown fond of, mostly because I appreciate the sincerety that Dolly puts into each of her tunes. They are all her "babies" as she refers to them, and they each definitely represent a piece of her.

An interesting anecdote to share: Porter Wagoner, who actually gave Dolly her start, used to live across the street from my family home here in Springfield, MO. That was many years ago, before Porter got his own television show. He was working out of Springfield due to the Ozarks Country Jubilee, that featured talent like Brenda Lee, who was also local to this area. I remember seeing a very, very young Dolly Parton come for a visit to Porter's home across the street. Of course, Porter had many visitors at all hours of the night and day, yet I never thought too much of it. Porter was, afterall, a celebritiy, though he had nothing close to the recognition he enoys today. Anyway, I thought that was interesting....I remember the first time I saw The Porter Wagoner show on television...that's the first time I realized that in his own right, Porter was a singng "star." He continued to have this home for a time after he became a regular in Nashville, and finally sold it. Thought I'd share.

My vote, then, is for Crystal Gayle's don't It Make my Brown Eyes Blue..."
Tim

[Rick Henry]

Thank you all... for voting in Game #2. Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" will move into the finals.

This game is now closed. Please vote in Game #3... Stevie Wonder vs. Marvin Gaye.

CLICK HERE for Game #3