K.T. Oslin died on Monday (Dec. 21) at age 78. The singer-songwriter, who had been battling Parkinson’s disease, was reportedly also diagnosed with COVID-19.
Oslin was born Kay Toinette Oslin on May 15, 1942, in Crossett, Ark. Her breakthrough single, 1987’s “80’s Ladies,” hit No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart that July and became her signature song. It well suited Oslin, who was an advocate for women’s issues throughout her career.
“80’s Ladies” marked Oslin’s first of seven top 10s, a sum including four No. 1s, among her 17 appearances on Hot Country Songs through 2001. She also posted three top 10s on Top Country Albums, including her lone No. 1: Her first LP 80’s Ladies debuted in August 1987 and hit No. 1 for a week in February 1988.
Oslin released her most recent album, Simply, in 2015. It followed a decade-and-a-half break from recording after her LP Live Close By, Visit Often, which reached No. 35 on Top Country Albums in 2001. In 2018, Oslin was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Here is a recap of K.T. Oslin’s biggest hits on Hot Country Songs.
K.T. Oslin’s Biggest Billboard Hits
Rank, Title, Peak Position, Year
1, “Hold Me,” No. 1 (one week), 1989
2, “Do Ya’” No. 1 (one week), 1987
3, “I’ll Always Come Back,” No. 1 (one week), 1988
4, “Hey Bobby,” No. 2, 1989
5, “Come Next Monday,” No. 1 (two weeks), 1990
6, “This Woman,” No. 5, 1989
7, “80’s Ladies,” No. 7, 1987
8, “Money,” No. 13, 1988
9, “Didn’t Expect It to Go Down This Way,” No. 23, 1989
10, “Mary & Willie,” No. 28, 1991
K.T. Oslin’s Biggest Billboard Hits recap is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs chart. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, certain eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
