Today’s classic song of the day is one most of you probably remember. It’s “The End of the World” by Skeeter Davis, and it was a top five hit back in 1963.
“The End of the World” was written by Arthur Kent (music) and Sylvia Dee (words), who wrote an awful lot of songs together. This was their biggest hit.
Chet Atkins produced “The End of the World.” He was one of the chief architects of the so-called Nashville Sound, which added lush strings and background vocals to the previously typical twangy guitars and fiddles used in country music. Recorded at RCA Studios in Nashville, this one featured Floyd Cramer on piano, famous for his passing note slides. Skeeter Davis double-tracked her vocals for a wmore full sound.
Released in December of 1962 on RCA Records, Ms. Davis’ recording of “The End of the World” scored high on multiple charts. It hit #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, #1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart, #2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, and a surprising (to me) #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart. It was the first, and for more than fifty years, the only song to crack the top five on four different charts.
Today’s daily bonus video of the day is Skeeter Davis singing “The End of the World” live on the August 5, 1965, episode of The Bobby Lord Show. That was a weekly half-hour syndicated country music showcase, hosted by singer Bobby Lord, produced by Nashville’s WSM-TV.
