“The Most Beautiful Girl” , a song written by Rory Bourke, Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson, was first recorded by Joe Stampley for the Dot Records label in November 1972, and released in February 1973. The song was included in Joe Stampley’s third studio album, Soul Song (Dot Recortds 1973).
Charlie Rich recorded it for the Epic label, on February 10, 1973, Columbia Recording Studio, 804 16th Ave. South, Nashville, TN, two other songs were recorded at the recording session, “If you wouldn’t be my lady “and” You never really wanted me “, with the production of Billy Sherrill, the song was released on August 29, 1973, on November 24, 1973, reached # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts, during three weeks in a row, and remained a total of 18 weeks in the charts. On December 8, it also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts, for four consecutive weeks. The song was a great success, it reached number # 1 in the Belgium charts, number # 2 in, UK, Ireland, # 3 in Holland, # 5 in Denmark, # 7 Australia and # 8 in Norway, also reached number # 1 on pop charts in the USA and Canada. The single was certified gold in the USA. It was the second number one in Charlie’s career.
The song was included in Charlie’s 15th studio album, Behind Closed Doors (Epic 1973), the album was released on the spring of 1973, on June 16, 1973, reached # 1 on the US Top Country charts Albums, for 21 weeks in a row, and remained a total of 100 weeks on the charts.
The album received the Country Music Association award for Album of the Year; the title track (written by Kenny O’Dell) was also named CMA’s Single of the Year, and Rich was named Best Male Vocalist for his performance on the album. Rich won the 1974 Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance Male and also took home four Academy of Country Music awards for this album. In 2006, CMT ranked “Behind Closed Doors” No. 37 on its list of the 40 greatest albums in country music.
The album was certified quadruple platinum in the USA and double platinum in Canada.
Some versions:
Joe Stampley 1973 (Dot Records)
Roy Clark 1974 (ABC Dot)
Freddie Hart & The Heartbeats 1974 (Capitol)
Slim Whitman 1974 (United Artists Records)
Johnny Mathis 1977 (Columbia)
Johnny Chester 1978 (RCA Australia)
Julio Iglesias 2006 (Burgundy Records)
Michael Simmons 2012 (MSM)
Miquel Batlle Garriga
mbatllegarriga@gmail.com