Top 10 Blackhawk Songs

Blackhawk Songs

Our top 10 Blackhawk songs list presents ten of the best songs released by an American band that was first formed in the early 1990s. The band Blackhawk was put together by vocalists Henry Paul, Van Stephenson, and Dave Robbins. Before the band’s formation, Dave and Stephenson were already friends, having worked on Van Stephenson’s solo career. The two also penned several successful country ballads for Restless Heart, including “Let the Heartache Ride,” “Til I Loved You,” and “The Bluest Eyes in Texas.”

One year after its inception, the band signed a recording contract with Arista Nashville. Within no time, Blackhawk released its debut single, “Goodbye Says It All.” The song would later be featured on the band’s eponymous debut album. “Goodbye Says It All” was a success, peaking at the eleventh position on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Other country ballads from the album worth mentioning include “I Can Sure Smell the Rain,” “Every Once in a While,” and “Down in Flames.”

Blackhawk (1994) catapulted the band to mainstream success, rising to the fifteenth position on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album also managed position ninety-eight on the Billboard 200. Blackhawk (1994) proved even more successful by selling more than two million copies in the US. This saw the album earn a two times Platinum-certification. Motivated by the success of the debut album, Blackhawk released its sophomore album, Strong Enough (1995).

The album was also a success, managing to rise to the fourth position on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Strong Enough (1995) performed better than the debut album on the Billboard 200, rising to the twenty-second position. Popular songs from the album include “I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No,” “Almost a Memory Now,” and “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday.”

However, while Strong Enough (1995) performed better than Blackhawk (1994), it failed to match the debut album’s sales record, only earning Gold certification. Blackhawk hit the studio to continue its musical pursuits, releasing its third studio album, Love & Gravity (1997). Love & Gravity (1997) peaked at number eight and seventy-nine on the Billboard Top Country Albums and Billboard 200 charts. “Hole in My Heart” and “Postmarked Birmingham” were its two most popular tracks.

Later in 1998, the band tried to rekindle its flame of success with the release of its fourth studio album, The Sky’s the Limit. However, The Sky’s Limit (1998) only managed to peak at number one hundred and ninety-two on the Billboard 200. The album managed position twenty-five on the Billboard Top Country Albums. Nevertheless, the album produced two successful singles, “There You Have It” and “Your Own Little Corner of My Heart.”

The Sky’s the Limit (1998) was the last album to feature Van Stephenson, who battled with melanoma. Van Stephenson succumbed to the disease in 2001, a year after leaving Blackhawk. The Sky’s the Limit (1998) also marked the band’s last album released under Arista Nashville. Blackhawk signed to Columbia Records, where the band released one album Spirit Dancer (2002).

Spirit Dancer (2002) only managed to rise to the thirty-seventh position on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. “Days of America” and “One Night in New Orleans” are the most popular songs from the album. Its next album release happened in 2011 after the band released, Down from the Mountain.

Blackhawk has released two more albums since 2011. However, Brothers of the Southland (2014) and The Spirit of Christmas (2019) failed to take Blackhawk to its desired levels of success. Currently, the band’s lineup includes keyboardist Dave Robbins, bassist Randy Threet, and lead vocalist Henry Paul. Here we present the best Blackhawk songs sampled from the band’s eight studio albums.

#10 – Ships of Heaven

Opening our top 10 Blackhawk songs list is the high-spirited hit “Ships of Heaven.” The late Van Stephenson penned the song. Its lyrics are written from the perspective of an individual who is dying but knows that he has lived life to the fullest. The individual reflects on the love he experienced, expressing that it was superfluous in his end times.

Without worrying about his coming death, the individual notifies the world that he will sail on the “Ships of Heaven,” waiting for his loved ones. “Ships of Heaven” was one of the most heart-rending songs Van Stephenson ever penned. The track has become a concert staple for Blackhawk since the early 2000s.

#9- Goodbye Says It All

“Goodbye Says It All” is a pulsating country ballad that marked the band’s career beginning. The song was released as the lead single to the band’s eponymous debut album. “Goodbye Says It All” finds the narrator returning home from an unspecified place only to find an empty house with lights on.

Apparently, his lover abandoned him, leaving a goodbye message on his living room wall. “Goodbye Says It All” peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. It also managed a similar position on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

#8 – I Sure Can Smell the Rain

Coming in at the eighth position on our top 10 Blackhawk songs is the hit “I Sure Can Smell the Rain.” The song is an exquisite country ballad from the band’s eponymous debut album. This timeless country ballad is acclaimed by country lovers for its excellent arrangement, striking songwriting, and melodious vocal harmonies.

Its lyrics allude to a man who visualizes the end of a relationship through a breakup. However, the wife has said or done nothing to warrant the man’s instincts. Nevertheless, the feeling is so strong and vivid in the man’s introspections. “I Sure Can Smell the Rain” peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

#7 – I Will

“I Will” is a power ballad featured on the band’s fifth studio album, Spirit Dancer (2002). Henry Paul delivers some of his best vocals on this song. However, it is the harmonious vocals by Dave Robbins and Randy Threet that add extra glitter to the song’s vocal excellence.

Carol Ann Brown and Bonnie Baker penned “I Will” from the standpoint of a person who has put someone else before himself in love. While the song didn’t chart, it remains one of the band’s magical musical pieces. Initially, the song appeared on Southern Rain (2000) by Billy Ray Cyrus.

#6 – Almost a Memory Now

Number six on our top 10 Blackhawk songs list is the poignant hit “Almost a Memory Now.” The song was penned by Dale Oliver, Van Stephenson, and Dave Robbins. Blackhawk released it on the sophomore studio album, Strong Enough (1995). The song finds the vocalist singing that his significant other is almost a memory now that she is gone from his life. This spectacular ballad to lost love brings out the band’s rich harmonies.

#5 – Days of America

Despite not receiving as much mainstream success compared to the previous releases, Spirit Dancer (2002) is home to our number five track “Days of America.” The song was penned by Henry Paul, Dave Robbins, and the legendary songwriter Lee Thomas Miller. Lee Thomas Miller has also helped pen tracks for Terri Clark, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Jamey Johnson.

“Days of America” has its lyrics allude to the plight of workers at a steel mill in Pittsburgh. The song has been lauded as one of the most captivating patriotic country ballads of the early 2000s. “Days of America” peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.

#4- There You Have It

“There You Have It” is a stunning country ballad that serves as the lead single to The Sky’s the Limit. Blackhawk made a mark in the country scene with this pleasant-sounding country ballad. The song blends great country-inspired instrumental tunes and magnificent vocals. “There You Have It” peaked at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100.

#3 – That’s Just About Right

The number three song on our top 10 Blackhawk songs is the raving cover track “That’s Just About Right.” Originally, the song was released by singer-songwriter Jeff Black. Other artists who have paid homage to Jeff Black’s songs include Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, and Waylon Jennings.

“That’s Just About Right” finds the vocalist singing about his artist friend who seeks to understand human nature. His friend realizes that every individual is unique, and this is the true beauty of human nature. “That’s Just About Right” peaked at number seven on the Billboard Country Songs chart.

#2- I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No

“I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No” is a glistening lustful single by Blackhawk. It serves as the lead track to Strong Enough (1995). The song was penned by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, a South African songwriter and record producer. Robert John “Mutt” Lange is famously known for his successful work with The Michael Stanley Band, Billy Ocean, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, and Shania Twain (once his wife).

“I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No” finds the singer crushing so hard on someone else’s wife. While he intends to end this entanglement, he finds the woman irresistible, fearing that this might go on for some while. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “That’s Just About Right” also rose to the top of the Canada Country Tracks in 1995.

#1- Every Once in a While

Number one on our top 10 Blackhawk songs list is the charming love-filled ballad track “Every Once in a While.” The song is featured on the band’s album Blackhawk (1994). “Every Once in a While” finds the singer asking a former lover if she ponders about him. The lady responds that she does this “Every Once in a While.”

This shows her deep desire to get things back as they were before. Once more, the distinctive vocals by Henry Paul add glamour to this melodic country ballad. “Every Once in a While” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.