104) Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

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Country and soul were deeply entangled traditions, and Charles was hardly the first to make the connection. But Modern Sounds extended his pop portfolio, which he'd perfected two years earlier with "Georgia on My Mind." He covered three Hank Williams songs and recast Eddy Arnold's lover's lament "You Don't Know Me" in the light of the civil-rights struggle. Full of lush string arrangements and gospel grit, Modern Sounds became the most popular album of Charles' career: several months atop the charts and four hit singles, including "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Born to Lose."

Total album sales: 500,000

Peak chart position: 1

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