1954 Top Ten: Smoke Comes Out My Chimney Just the Same (#1)

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You waited all month…for this???? What a letdown! The 1984 countdown at least ends on a high note. However, through the month you’ve seen how music was definitely changing everywhere, as the first beats of rock and roll made itself known. Great pop tunes, lots of doo-wop…and country music, too. Sorry. It tops the 70-year-old list this time around. #1: Smoke Comes Out My Chimney Just the Same - Skeets McDonald Linda? If I have to tell you that someone named Skeets is country, you deserve the migraine (although the screen grab is a subtle reminder)!! Skeets McDonald’s real name was Enos, so you can understand why he went by “Skeets.” A long-forgotten country star by the masses, he’s still fondly remembered by a core of classic country fans. Bear Family even put out his entire recorded output from the beginning through his last recordings before his untimely death in 1968 (he was 52 and had a heart attack). This song was originally recorded by someone with a Louisville connection: Bob Atcher. Bob and his brother Randy were from Louisville, and after World War II they became performers on the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago. Bob stayed and had a long (but minor national success) career. Randy came back to Louisville and became the star of T-Bar-V Ranch on local TV (it was a kiddie show and it was a “babysitter” for a generation!). With the local connection, it’s hard to say this, but Bob’s version stinks. It’s way too slow. Skeets did this song at the proper tempo: if a guy is completely unconcerned about losing a woman who doesn’t care for him, then it should be bouncy and upbeat!! And kudos to Vic McAlpin for the double entendre title. Thanks for reading. Smoke Comes Out My Chimney Just the Same Written by Vic McAlpin Recorded by Skeets McDonald Released as a single, 1954 I got more women than the law allows: