Turn Your Radio On was Ray Stevens' eighth studio album and his third for Barnaby Records, released in 1972. Unlike Stevens' previous album releases, this album shows Stevens' spiritual side and was his first album of gospel. The composing of the fourth track, "Let Your Love Be a Light unto the People" was written by Stevens' brother, John Ragsdale. The sixth track, "Have a Little Talk With Myself," was taken from Stevens' album of the same name. The album includes four singles, three of which were issued before this album's release: "A Mama and a Papa," the traditional gospel song "All My Trials," the title track and "Love Lifted Me", the last of which did not chart.
The album was reissued by CBS Records in 1982.
On November 15, 2005, Collectables Records re-released this album and his 1975 album Misty together on one CD.
Track listing[edit][]
| Side 1 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Turn Your Radio On" | Albert E. Brumley | 2:09 | |||||||
| 2. | "Love Lifted Me" | James Rowe, Howard E. Smith | 3:09 | |||||||
| 3. | "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" | Ray Stevens | 2:33 | |||||||
| 4. | "Let Your Love Be a Light unto the People" | John Ragsdale | 2:35 | |||||||
| 5. | "A Mama and a Papa" | Tom Autry | 2:49 | |||||||
| 6. | "Have a Little Talk With Myself" | Ray Stevens | 3:05 | |||||||
| Side 2 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "All My Trials" | arranged by Ray Stevens | 4:34 | |||||||
| 2. | "I'll Fly Away" | Albert E. Brumley | 3:25 | |||||||
| 3. | "Why Don't You Lead Me to That Rock" | Ray Stevens | 2:39 | |||||||
| 4. | "Glory Special" | Mrs. J.W. Payte | 3:30 | |||||||
| 5. | "Oh! Will There Be Any Stars" | Ray Stevens | 3:41 | |||||||
Album credits[edit][]
- Choral backing for "Love Lifted Me": B.C. & M. Mass Choir
- All other vocal backing: Ray Stevens
- Arranged and produced by: Ray Stevens for Ahab Productions, Inc.
- Engineer: Charlie Tallent
- Design: Rod Dyer
- Cover photo: John Donegan
Charts[edit][]
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Billboard 200 | 175 |
| 1972 | Billboard Top Country Albums | 14 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | "A Mama and a Papa" | Billboard Adult Contemporary | 4 |
| 1971 | "A Mama and a Papa" | Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 6 |
| 1971 | "A Mama and a Papa" | Canadian RPM Top Singles | 72 |
| 1971 | "A Mama and a Papa" | Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
| 1971 | "All My Trials" | Billboard Adult Contemporary | 6 |
| 1971 | "All My Trials" | Billboard Hot 100 | 70 |
| 1971 | "All My Trials" | Canadian RPM Top Singles | 82 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 3 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 10 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | Billboard Hot Country Singles | 17 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | Billboard Adult Contemporary | 24 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | UK Singles Chart | 33 |
| 1971 | "Turn Your Radio On" | Billboard Hot 100 | 63 |