Unveiling the Emotion-Fueled Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of Earl Thomas Conley's Smash Hit "That Was a Close One"

Unveiling the Unforgettable Journey of Earl Thomas Conley‘s Smash Hit: The Incredible Story of “That Was a Close One”

Earl Thomas Conley was a remarkable artist who believed in the power of emotions and genuine connection with a song. Much like the legendary Hank Williams, Conley’s success relied on his ability to truly feel and believe in the music he created.

One songwriter, Robert Byrne, managed to tap into Earl’s emotional side, resulting in an extraordinary string of number one power ballads. “Once in a Blue Moon,” “I Can’t Win for Losing You,” and the remarkable “That Was a Close One” all captured the hearts of listeners and soared to the top of the charts.

As Earl and Byrne continued their collaboration, it became evident that they were moving in sync, sharing a musical direction that couldn’t be denied. Earl trusted in Byrne’s compositions, recognizing that they perfectly fit his style and allowed him to deliver convincing performances that resonated deeply with audiences. And he was right.

However, Byrne’s faith in “That Was a Close One” was wavering. In fact, when he went to Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to demo the song along with others, he almost didn’t include it, considering it too personal and lacking mass appeal. Yet, he reluctantly recorded the song, placing it at the end of the session while focusing on what he believed would be guaranteed hits. Ironically, those other tracks were left behind, never to be chosen.

Despite Byrne’s reservations, the musicians’ exceptional performance on “That Was a Close One” caught the attention of the publishing company, who saw its potential for Conley. Anxious to hear it, Earl eagerly awaited the song, knowing that Byrne’s compositions had previously brought him tremendous success. While Byrne still viewed it as deeply personal and unlikely to find a broader audience, Conley instantly fell in love with it.

After Earl recorded “That Was a Close One” and embarked on a tour, producer Nelson Larkin returned to the studio and made a slight alteration to the track. Adding a relieved-sounding “Whew!” after the second chorus, Larkin injected a touch of contrived emotion (although Earl might have seen it differently).

Byrne’s deeply personal song became a remarkable milestone for everyone involved in its creation. “That Was a Close One” ascended to the pinnacle of Earl Thomas Conley’s career, claiming the coveted spot as his 13th number one single on Billboard’s country chart, forever etching its place in history on July 4, 1987.

Artist: Earl Thomas Conley
Album: Too Many Times
Released: 1986
Genre: Country

Lyrics
I loved her because she was there
And I knew all along that it wasn’t fair but I didn’t care
Then I got the hell out of there
But that was a close one
I keep my freedom intact
Got rid of the hassle and rid of the flack
Yeah I cut me some slack
And I never thought I’d want it back but that was a close one
That was a close one and if I hadn’t run
She might have got away with me heart so I played it smart
That was a close one but I kept my cool never let down my guard
That was a close one
The winter of ’79 so cold and lonely
I found a good woman she took me inside
And I swear to god I really tried
And that was a close one
Will there ever be a love of my life
When I’m out of my prime and out of my mind
In the nick of time and well the feeling in here is fine
Just the close ones
That was a close one and if I hadn’t run
She might have gotten away with me heart my precious heart
That was a close one but I kept my cool never let down my guard
That was a close one
That was a close one I loved her because she was there that was a close one
That was a close one winter of ’79 that was close one
That was a close she finally got away with my heart that was a close one