Did You Think to Pray (song)

"Did You Think to Pray"
Single by Charley Pride
from the album Did You Think to Pray
A-side"Let Me Live"
ReleasedApril 1971 (1971-04)
RecordedFebruary 11, 1971
StudioRCA Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre
Length3:23
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)
  • Jack D. Johnson
  • Charley Pride
Producer(s)Jack Clement
Charley Pride singles chronology
"I'd Rather Love You"
(1971)
"Did You Think to Pray"
(1971)
"I'm Just Me"
(1971)

"Did You Think to Pray" Recorded by Charley Pride, the song was produced by Jack Clement and was released as a single via RCA Victor Records in 1971. Many sites credit Charley Pride with writing the song with assistance from Jack D. Johnson, but the lyrics were written by Mary A. Pepper Kidder (1820 - 1905) and the tune by William O. Perkins (1831 - 1903). (https://wordwisehymns.com/2013/08/30/did-you-think-to-pray/) The song became a minor hit on the Billboard country chart. It was later released on album of the same name.

Background and content

Under the supervision and guidance of Jack Clement, Charley Pride became country music's first commercially successful African-American recording artist. By the early 1970s, he had several number one hits and released several studio albums. In 1971, he would release his first album of gospel music, which would include the song, "Did You Think to Pray."[2] The song was recorded on February 2, 1971 at the RCA Victor Studio. Two additional gospel songs were recorded during the same session. Jack Clement would serve as producer for the song.[3]

Release and reception

"Did You Think to Pray" was released as a single via RCA Victor Records in April 1971. It was Pride's sixteenth single released in his music career. Its B-side, "Let Me Live," became the bigger hit at radio, climbing to number 21 on the country chart in 1971.[4] The A-side spent only one week on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number 70 on the list in April 1971.[5] It was later released on Pride's 1971 gospel album of the same name.[1]

Track listings

7" vinyl single[6]

Chart performance

Chart (1971) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 70

References

  1. ^ a b "Do You Think to Pray?: Charley Pride: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  2. ^ Vinopal, David. "Charley Pride: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  3. ^ Pride, Charlie (April 1971). ""Did You Think to Pray"/"Let Me Live" (Vinyl Single Insert Information)". RCA Victor Records.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  5. ^ ""Did You Think to Pray" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Charley Pride -- "Do You Think to Pray"/"Let Me Live" (1971, Single)". Discogs. 1971. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Charley Pride Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2020.