Don Williams Albums Ranked (rated from worst to best)

Donald Ray Williams (May 27th 1939 – September 8th 2017) began his solo career in 1971 singing popular ballads. His smooth bass/baritone voice, soft tones and large build earned him the nickname of “The Gentle Giant”. He achieved 17 number 1 country hit songs over his career and in 1975 he co-starred in a film with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed called “W. W. and the Dixie Dancekings” and appeared as himself in “Smokey and the Bandit II”.

His hits have been covered by a wide range of artists including; Johnny Cash, Juice Newton, Eric Clapton, Lefty Frizzell, Alison Krauss, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Pete Townsend, Tomeu Penya, Claude Russell Bridges, Billy Dean, Tortoise with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Telly Savalas. His music is popular internationally in countries as far afield as Australia, The UK, New Zealand, Ukraine, Ethiopia, India, South Africa, Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Ireland.

In 2010 The Country Music Association inducted Don Williams into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Best Don Williams Albums Of All Time

We will rank the top 16 Don Williams albums as we see them from the rest to the best. Let us know in the comments how you would rank them and why.

16. Currents (1992)

Released in April 1992 this was Don’s 3rd and final album released by RCA Records. This was a great album just like every other Don Williams album but it never received the recognition it deserved. That was because the country scene was going through a much younger artist phase. “Young Country” it was called and although Don wasn’t ancient by any means, he looked old. With his grey beard he looked even older than his 53 years, and the radio stations just dropped him.

15. Visions (1977)

Released on January 17th 1977, this was Don’s 6th album. The album charted at number 4 on the US country albums chart and the single “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” taken from this album topped the Billboard country singles chart.

14. One Good Well (1989)

This was Don’s 1st album released by RCA Records which was released in April 1989. There were 4 singles released from this album, 3 of which all reached number 4 on the US country singles chart which were; the title track, “I’ve Been Loved By the Best” and “ Just As Long As I Have You”. The 4th single “Maybe That’s What It Takes” only got to number 22 on the chart.

13. Don Williams Vol. III (1974)

This was Don’s 3rd album which was released in 1974 on the ABC-Dot record label. It reached number 3 on the US country album charts and includes the singles “The Ties That Bind” and “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me”.

12. And So It Goes (2012)

Released on April 30th in the UK and June 19th 2012 in the US, this was Don’s 1st studio album since “My Heart To You” (2004). There are a number of collaborations on this album with artists including Alison Krauss, Keith Urban and Vince Gill as well as Tim Williams (Don’s son).

11. You’re My Best Friend (1975)

Released in April 1975 on the ABC-Dot record label, this was Don’s 4th album. The album reached number 5 on the US country albums chart. There were 2 singles released from this album which were; “You’re My Best Friend” and “(Turn Out The Light And) Love Me Tonight”.

10. Portrait (1979)

This was the album that gave us “Good Ole Boys Like Me”, “It Only Rains on Me” and “Love’s Endless War” among other great Don Williams songs. If ever you feel tired and stressed out after a long day, this album will destress you and put you back into feeling human again.

9. Harmony (1976)

This was Don’s 5th studio album which was released in April 1976. It was his only album to reach number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart as well as producing 2 number 1 singles which were; “Till The Rivers All Run Dry” and “Say It Again”. A 3rd single released from this album “She Never Knew Me” got as high as number 2 on the US country singles chart.

8. Cafe Carolina (1984)

Released in May 1984 by MCA Records this album reached number 13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. There were 4 singles released from this album which were; “That’s The Thing About Love”, “Maggie’s Dream”, “Walkin’ A Broken Heart” and “It’s Time For Love”.

7. Volume Two (1974)

Released in January 1974, this was Don’s 2nd studio album which reached number 13 on the US Country Albums chart. There were 3 singles released from this album which were “Atta Way To Go”, “We Should Be Together” and “Down The Road I Go”.

6. Country Boy (1977)

Released in 1977 on ABC Records, this album was one of Don’s understated albums. The tracks weave a tale of various characters whose lives are not going as they planned. Some great tracks on this album including the title track and “Louisiana Saturday Night”.

5. Especially For You (1981)

This was Don’s 11th studio album which was released on June 26th 1981. This album reached number 5 on the US country Albums chart and produced 3 singles which were; “Miracles”, “If I Needed You” (with Emmylou Harris) and “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good”.

4. Yellow Moon (1983)

Another fine album by the smooth voiced Don Williams. The track “Stay Young” was written and originally recorded by Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle. Other tracks include “The Story of My Life” (Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and “Love is On A Roll” (John Prine and Roger Cook).

3. Reflections (2014)

By the time this album was recorded Don Williams was well into his 7th decade and yet his voice is still as smooth as it was way back when he first started recording albums in the 70s. This album contains the track “Talk is Cheap” which features Chris and Morgane Stapleton on backing vocals and Chris was one of the co-writers of this song too. Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home” is also covered by Don on this album.

2. I Believe In You

Released in 1980 on the MCA Records label, this was his best selling album with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide. This is also the album that contains Don’s most famous song, “I Believe In You”. Other great tracks include; “Rainy Nights And Memories”, “Ain’t It Amazing” and “It’s Good To See You Again”. This album is packed with songs that will brighten your mood and bring back your love for country music.

1. Volume One (1973)

This was Don’s debut album which was released in June 1973 on the JMI Records label. The album reached number 5 on the US Country Albums chart and there were 2 singles released from this album which were; “The Shelter of Your Eyes” and “Come Early Morning”.

At the time this album was released the Nashville sound was going through a more elaborate orchestral sound. Don Williams came on the scene like a breath of fresh air, with his smooth voice and clean country songs. He bucked the trend and got country music back on track which is why “Volume One” is our number 1.

All Don Williams Albums In Chronological Order

Album	Date
Don Williams Volume One	1973
Don Williams Volume Two	1974
Don Williams Vol. III	1974
You’re My Best Friend	1975
Harmony	1976
Visions	1977
Country Boy	1977
Expressions	1978
Portrait	1979
I Believe in You	1980
Especially for You	1981
Listen to the Radio	1982
Yellow Moon	1983
Cafe Carolina	1984
New Moves	1986
Traces	1987
One Good Well	1987
True Love	1990
Currents	1992
Borrowed Tales	1995
Flatlands	1996
I Turn the Page	1998
My Heart to You	2004
And So It Goes	2012
Reflections	2014