The 10 best Earl Thomas Conley songs

Born on Oct 19, 1941 Earl Thomas Conley grew up in his father's home in Portsmith , Ohio dreaming about being an artist when he grew up. At the tender age of 10 he started painting. By the time he graduated high-school his artistic abilities had earned him an art scholarship. Instead of art school he joined the United States Army where he would become part of a Christian music trio. The experience made him rethink what he wanted to be in life. So, after being honorably discharged he decided to try his hand at country music.

In the 1970's Mr. Conley had limited success in both writing and singing. In the 1980's though that changed when Mr. Conley became one of the biggest hit makers in country music and racked up 18 number one hits by the end of the decade. In the following decades his hit production tapered off but he has remained a big draw on the concert circuit to this day.

10. “What I'd say”: A melancholic about a man rehearsing what he may say if he every runs in to the woman that left him. The song was Mr. Conley's 3^rd number 1 hit of 1988.

9. “Heavenly Bodies”: The slow rhythmic tempo of the song make it perfect for grabbing your loved one for a slow dance. In the song Mr. Conley compares the beautiful women that walk in to the bar to the heavenly bodies in the sky above. It hit number 8 in the United States and number 3 in Canada in 1982.

8. “Your loves on the line”: The song written by Mr. Conley and Randy Scruggs spent 13 weeks on the country chart where it peaked at number 1 in 1983. A good song to kickback and listen to when you are trying to figure out what to do when you are caught between the one you love and someone knew that is tempting you to leave.

7. “Finally Friday”: This energy infused song will get you to jump up, shout, and hit the dance floor. In it Mr. Conley writes about the day we all eagerly wait for each week.

6. “Can't win for losing You”: Mr. Conley uses his voice wonderfully to portray the emotional heartache of a man that played the field one too many times and his one big love. It was a number 1 hit for Mr. Conley in 1986.

5. “Somewhere Between Right and Wrong”: Mr. Conley adds an early Rock & Roll feel this 1981 hit that he both wrote and sang. In the song Mr. Conley speaks about a woman's infidelity. It peaked at number 1 in 1982.

4. “What She Is”: A sweet song about a woman in love with a man that let's her down over and over. The woman in the song focuses on the positive and is determined not to let anything get her down. The song was number 1 hit from his “The Heart of it all” album released in 1988.

3. “Holding Her and Loving You”: Once again Mr. Conley shows great emotion in his voice as he sings this song about a cheating and being torn between the two women. It was the second number 1 from Mr. Conley's “Don't Make it easy for Me” album.

2. “Honor Bound”: A sad ballad about a love that has lost its spark. This was a number 1 hit for Mr. Conley in 1985.

1. “Love Don't Care”: A song co-written by Mr. Conley and Randy Scruggs that talks about heartache. In 1985 the song hit number 1 on both the United States and Canadian charts.