Ray Stevens "Sunday Morning Coming Down"

Here's Ray's version of the classic country song, which reached #55 for him back in 1969, his first song to make the country charts.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ray
• Stevens
• Sunday
• Morning
• Coming
• Down
• Kris
• Kristofferson
• Johnny
• Cash
• The
• Streak
• Young
• Love
• Everything
• Is
• Beautiful

[AvidOldiesCollector]

When Kris Kristofferson wrote this song in 1969 there followed many renditions by the likes of Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, Bonnie Guitar, Jerry Lee Lewis (great version in his album Mean Old Man), and many more, including Kristofferson's own offering in his 1970 Monument album "Kristofferson". But for my money, this version by Ray Stevens, a Country and Pop hit in late 1969 tops them all.

[AvidOldiesCollector]

@flomurdock

For Ray it charted at # 55 Country and # 61 Pop Hot 100 - both kind of low considering the quality of the rendition. I have a sneaking suspicion that the listening audience didn't know quite how to take it, being so used to Ray breaking into a comdy routine. But this proved he could handle a serious song with the best of them when he wanted to.

[aredgor]

Heard it in Viet Nam too. Had no one to care enough to write a Dear John. She just didn't write

[aredgor]

Great by Stevens and Cash. Depends on my mood which is best

[899terry]

I was in Vietnam when I first heard this song by anyone and it happened to be Ray. I had received a "Dear John" letter from my wife about the same time. Always loved this version best.

[orangehornet57]

This was one of Ray's best vocal performances. He admitted to spending a lot of time on the song. That was why he turned down Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head. He later covered it on his Everything is Beautiful album. The notes on Kris' album called Ray's version overproduced. I don't think so. By the way, Ray had already gotten some serious hits before this song. He was right that it didn't suit his image. Johnny Cash's version was also very good.

[indianlady46]

i like ray s. it's nice of him to bring laughter in a troubled world..may god look down on him and keep him safe. laughter is the best medicine a person can have. and as much of it you could ever want...the older music seem's to have more meaning to it than today...people just don't seem to put their heart's into it anymore. the 70's on through the 90's was great..those good ole day's..

[barrygioportmorien1]

This is the first version I heard of this Kris Kristopherson, fantastic song, I have to say, I like it as well as Johnny Cash's .

[TheTennislover131]

Thank God for Ray Stevens!

[MrSquidd88]

Good Job Ray. First serious song I have ever heard you do.

[heatherinparis]

Who's the girl singing back-up on this? Fabulous voice.

[TheJavierm7]

La original de 1969.