The Best of Connie Smith (1967 album)

Background

The Best of Connie Smith compiled twelve tracks Smith had a major hit with between 1964 and 1966. The album opens up with Smith's first major hit, "Once a Day" (1964), but followed by Smith's other major hits including, "Then and Only Then," "Ain't Had No Lovin'," "The Hurtin's All Over," and "Cincinnati, Ohio." The album was originally issued on a 12-inch LP record with six tracks each side. The album was reviewed by Allmusic, which only gave it two out of five stars. Reviewer Thom Owens stated, "The Best of Connie Smith is a much-too-brief sampling of Connie Smith's biggest hits." However, Owens does praise such tracks as "Once A Day," "Then and Only Then," "If I Talk to Him," calling them "classic performances."

Release

Although a compilation album, The Best of Connie Smith contained one new song, "I'll Come Runnin'," a song written by Smith. The song was released as a single in February 1967, eventually peaking on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs chart at #10. The album itself also charted. The Best of Connie Smith peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart upon its release in 1967, becoming Smith's first album not to reach the Top 20.

Side one

1. "Once a Day" – (Bill Anderson)
2. "I Can't Remember" – (Anderson, Becki Anderson)
3. "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" – (Anderson)
4. "I'll Come Runnin'" – (Connie Smith)
5. "I Saw a Man" – (Arthur Q. Smith)
6. "If I Talk to Him" – (Dolores Edgin, Priscilla Mitchell)

Side two

1. "Then and Only Then" – (Anderson)
2. "Ain't Had No Lovin'" – (Dallas Frazier)
3. "Darling Are You Ever Coming Home" – (Hank Cochran, Willie Nelson)
4. "The Hurtin's All Over" – (Harlan Howard)
5. "Cincinnati, Ohio" – (Anderson)
6. "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)" – (Anderson)

Sales chart positions