No. 86: Sonny James, ‘Young Love’ – Top 100 Country Love Songs

Country crooner Sonny James topped the charts in 1956 with 'Young Love,' his first of 23 No. 1 singles earned during his more than 30-year career as a staple artist at country radio. Dubbed the 'Southern Gentleman' because of his polite demeanor, James is credited as having the first teenage crossover tune with the No. 86 entry on our Top 100 Country Love Songs countdown, landing at the top of both the country and mainstream pop charts by the end of 1957.

James' contributions to the music industry were later recognized with a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as a 1996 induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The living legend retired in 1983 and resides in Nashville, Tenn.

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Listen to 'Young Love' by Sonny James