About the song
“Crystal Chandeliers,” a song synonymous with elegance and heartbreak, boasts a rich history that stretches back to 1965. While Charley Pride’s rendition is often the first to come to mind, the track’s journey began with songwriter Ted Harris and country artist Carl Belew. Belew’s original version, titled simply “Crystal Chandelier,” secured a respectable spot at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Country chart, marking the song’s debut in the musical landscape.
Following Belew’s success, Vic Dana took a stab at the song in the same year. His rendition, also titled “Crystal Chandelier,” achieved wider recognition, reaching number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and charting well in Canada. Interestingly, both Belew and Dana’s versions used the singular form of the title, despite the lyrics referencing crystal chandeliers in the plural. This discrepancy would be rectified in future covers.
The year 1967 proved pivotal for “Crystal Chandeliers.” Charley Pride, a rising star in country music, released his own cover. Produced by Chet Atkins, who had also worked on Belew’s original version, Pride’s rendition became an instant hit. Though it never graced the American singles charts, it received significant airplay on country radio stations and remains one of the most recognizable and beloved versions of the song. Notably, Pride’s cover used the plural form of the title, “Crystal Chandeliers,” aligning with the lyrics and setting the standard for subsequent interpretations.
The song’s popularity continued to flourish throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tony and the Graduates, Billie Jo Spears, and Mattie Fox and the Country Blue Boys all released their own versions, finding success particularly in Ireland. “Crystal Chandeliers” transcended the boundaries of a single artist, becoming a country classic embraced by various musicians and audiences.
Today, “Crystal Chandeliers” endures as a testament to the enduring power of country storytelling. The song’s themes of lost love, social disparity, and the allure of material wealth resonate with listeners even decades after its initial release. Whether sung by Belew, Dana, Pride, or any of the other artists who brought it to life, “Crystal Chandeliers” continues to sparkle with its poignant lyrics and timeless melody.
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Lyrics
Oh, the crystal chandeliers
Light up the paintings on your walls
The marble statuettes are standing stately in the hall
But will the timely crowd that has you laughing loud
Help you dry your tears
When the new wears off of your crystal chandeliers?
Never did fit in too well with the folks you knew
When it’s plain to see that the likes of me
Don’t fit with you
So you traded me for the gaiety of the well to do
And you turned away from the love I offered you
Oh, the crystal chandeliers
Light up the paintings on your wall
The marble statuettes are standing stately in the hall
But will the timely crowd that has you laughing loud
Help you dry your tears
When the new wears off of your crystal chandeliers?
I see your picture in the news most every day
You’re the chosen girl of the social world
So the stories say
But a paper smile only lasts a while
Then it fades away
And the love we knew will come home to you someday
Oh, the crystal chandeliers
Light up the paintings on your walls
The marble statuettes are standing stately in the hall
But will the timely crowd that has you laughing loud
Help you dry your tears
When the new wears off of your crystal chandeliers?
When the new wears off of your crystal chandeliers?