Every #1 Country Single of the Eighties: T.G. Sheppard, “Finally”

“Finally”

T.G. Sheppard

Written by Gary Chapman

Radio & Records

#1 (2 weeks)

May 28 – June 4, 1982

Billboard

#1 (1 week)

June 5, 1982

Gary Chapman was already a Dove Award-winning Contemporary Christian act when T.G. Sheppard took his song to the top of both country charts.  

At first blush, it may seem an odd fit to have the lascivious Sheppard recording Chapman’s material, but given what actually goes on behind closed doors with the most loudly public Christians, it just might be the perfect fit.

And in one sense, it is.  Sheppard’s overly dramatic vocal, paired with the antiseptic production of an eighties CCM hit, is like a Sunday morning televangelist show distilled into one record.  It’s as phony as it is self-righteous.   He’s going to fleece the rubes, cash the check, and go spend it on his harem.

Are we done with this guy yet?

“Finally” gets a D.  

Every No. 1 Single of the Eighties

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