Happy Birthday, Anne Murray: A Look Back At Her Legendary Career

By JC Villamere. 20 Jun 2018 7:20 AM

Anne Murray has sold over 55 million records, so to mark this Canadian legend’s 73rd birthday on June 20, we’re looking back at her groundbreaking career in music.

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Arc Records

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Introducing ... Anne Murray
Capitol
There was a time in Canadian country music before Shania Twain, before Terri Clark, before k.d. lang. There was a time in the 1960s when Canada's musical landscape looked barren. There was a rough prairie wilderness to tame to take Canadian country music back to the top of the charts, to the heights that Hank Snow and Wilf Carter once reached as Canadian country music stars of the '40s and '50s. This era was dominated by Anne Murray.
The debut
Arc Records
Here's Ms. Murray's 1968 debut, a Canada-only release called 'What About Me,' which she recorded in Toronto. That shag hairdo is the bomb, her suit is suitably psychedelic for the era, and we're loving that chunky orange font.
The album with 'Snowbird'
Capitol
With the success of the single "Snowbird" in 1970, Murray became the first Canadian female solo singer to earn a gold record. Murray's melancholy ballad of a lover left behind launched her career south of the border, something that was extraordinarily rare for a star who was based in Canada in the 1960s. Murray was the first Canadian female solo singer to reach #1 on the U.S. charts. Can she wear a business suit to a waterfall? She sure can. This way is HER way.
'Talk It Over In The Morning'

Anyone else seeing shades of "How I Met Your Mother"'s Alyson Hannigan in this pic from the cover of Murray's 1971 record? In 1971, Murray also took home her first Juno Award, in the Top Female Vocalist category.
'Love Song'
Capitol
It was 1974 when Murray released her eighth album, 'Love Song.' It peaked at #24 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and won the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Murray took home her fourth and fifth Juno Awards that year, too, for Pop Music Album of the Year and Country Female Vocalist of the Year. This album cover — from the jewel tones to the carnations to the decorative coat of arms — is totally back in style and is the most 2018 cover in the collection. It's a total do.
'Together'
Capitol
This 1975 release charted on the country and pop charts and that cover photo has a Meg Ryan look to it, right?
'New Kind of Feeling'
Capitol
Her 1979 album was a #2 hit in Canada and that sweet double collar is giving us a new kind of feeling about pairing texture with pattern. 'New Kind of Feeling' was certified platinum in Canada and the States.
'Somebody's Waiting'
Capitol
This March 1980 album cover is giving us serious '9-to-5' vibes, which makes sense because that movie also came out in 1980. 'Somebody's Waiting' peaked at #15 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
'Where Do You Go When You Dream'

Heaven is a sensible, casual ensemble as modelled by Murray on the cover of her 16th album in 1981. The album's first single, "Blessed Are the Believers", was another #1 country hit for Murray.
'The Hottest Night of the Year'
Capitol
This 1982 record includes the hit "Hey! Baby!" which is a cover of the 1961 Bruce Channel hit that you remember from the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack. Murray took home the Country Female Vocalist of the Year Juno in 1982. (Spoiler alert: She won it in 1983, 1984, and 1985, too.) The cover shows Murray in the crux of a fashion dilemma all Canadians face: What do you wear when it actually gets hot in Canada? Turtleneck sweater and no pants? It's as good an idea as any.
'A Little Good News'
Capitol
In 1984, 'A Little Good News' was honoured as the Country Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, making Murray the first woman and the first Canadian to win the prestigious award.
'Heart Over Mind'
Capitol
This 1984 record peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and was certified gold. Here we see Murray's sweater game is on point. We're here for that retro-futuristic space-age font and those frosted tips are solid #goals.
'Something To Talk About'
Capitol
Yep, it's the same "Something to Talk About" that Bonnie Raitt made (even more) famous with her version in 1991. The song was written by Canadian singer/songwriter/child prodigy Shirley Eikhard. (At 15, Eikhard had written "It Takes Time", which was recorded by Murray in 1971.) Murray released her version of "Something to Talk About" in 1986 on this album of the same name.
'croonin'
Capitol
Everything about this cover screams 1993, from the no caps to the colour overlay to that cute pixie crop haircut. This record was another #1 hit for Murray.
Duets With The Best

Shortly before her retirement, Murray released an album of duets called 'Duets: Friends & Legends.' The record featured collabs with great Canadian superstars like Nelly Furtado, Jann Arden, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, and Celine Dion. Hmm, sounds like it would make a great Canada Day playlist!

Happy Birthday, Anne Murray: A Look Back At Her Legendary Career

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