1975 Timeless Classic That Inspired a Famous Box Office Flop Ranked Among ‘Best Country Songs' of All Time
It's been over five decades since Glen Campbell released his rendition of "Rhinestone Cowboy," and still to this day, the song remains an enduring classic in both the country and pop worlds.
Released on May 28, 1975, 51 years ago today, Campbell's version of the song followed the original release by Larry Weiss, which appeared on the album Black and Blue Suite. While Weiss is the one who penned the tune, it was Campbell's track that struck a chord with listeners the most.
According to American Songwriter, Campbell cut the song after hearing it overseas and connecting with it right away due to the lyrics mirroring his personal and professional life as an artist in Nashville.
Weiss' version charted in Australia, but Campbell's became an unprecedented crossover phenomenon. Not only did his track top the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, but it also soared to No. 1 on the Billboard all-genre Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary Singles charts, becoming a massive success that still holds its weight years later.
Upon releasing the song, Billboard ranked Campbell's version as the No. 2 song of 1975. The late Arkansas native's delivery of "Rhinestone Cowboy" also resonated with audiences across the globe. Outside of the U.S., the Gold-certified smash took the top spot in Canada, Ireland, and Yugoslavia.
Additionally, Campbell won several awards for "Rhinestone Cowboy," including both an ACM and CMA Award as well as a Grammy nomination. In 2026, the timeless classic ranked at No. 18 on Parade's list of ‘101 Best Country Songs of All Time.'
Music aside, Campbell's reimagining of "Rhinestone Cowboy" went on to inspire the 1984 musical comedy film, Rhinestone, which starred Dolly Parton, Sylvester Stallone, Richard Farnsworth, and Ron Leibman, and was directed by Bob Clark from a screenplay by Stallone.
The movie itself struggled as it didn't go on to become a box office hit. However, there was a silver lining from it all, as the film did spark two country Top 10 hits for Parton. They were "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You."
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 12:27 AM.