Mickey Gilley's 1976 No. 1 Hit 'Don't the Girls All Get Prettier' Was Written by Baker Knight
Mickey Gilley's 1976 No. 1 Hit 'Don't the Girls All Get Prettier' Was Written by Baker Knight
Lauren AndersonTue, May 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM UTC
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Fifty years ago, a cheeky, barroom-ready country tune climbed all the way to the top of the charts and added another milestone to Mickey Gilley’s career. But he didn't pen the chart-topping song.
In 1976, Gilley scored his fifth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart with "Don’t the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time." The playful anthem quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its catchy hook and knowing humor.
But behind the song was a songwriter whose résumé stretched far beyond honky-tonks and country radio. Baker Knight wrote the track, and had an impressive songwriting career to back it up.
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In addition to the Gilley hit, Knight's best known compositions including songs like "Lonesome Town" and "The Wonder of You." His songs reached millions thanks to his work with Ricky Nelson, Paul McCartney, Dean Martin, The Cramps, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jr., and Jerry Lee Lewis.
But "Don’t the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time” stood out as one of Knight’s most memorable country contributions because of how perfectly it matched with Gilley’s smooth delivery and piano-driven style. The track helped solidify Gilley’s dominance during the mid-’70s, a period when he was churning out hit after hit.
Knight died on October 12, 2005. He was 72 years old. Gilley died in May 2022. He was 86.
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This story was originally published by Parade on May 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
