If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)

"If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)" is a song written by Ken Spooner and Kim Williams, and recorded by American country music singer Joe Diffie. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart. It was released in April 1991 as the third single from his debut album, A Thousand Winding Roads.[1]

"If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)"
Single by Joe Diffie
from the album A Thousand Winding Roads
B-side"I Ain't Leavin' 'Til She's Gone"
ReleasedApril 2, 1991
GenreCountry
Length2:45
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Ken Spooner, Kim Williams
Producer(s)Bob Montgomery, Johnny Slate
Joe Diffie singles chronology
"If You Want Me To"
(1990)		 "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)"
(1991)		 "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame)"
(1991)

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in early 1991.

Critical reception

Cashbox magazine published a positive review of the song, stating that it "focuses on a much lighter storyline, compared to previous releases. This cut humorously sheds a 'devil-made-me-do-it' theme swallowed up by a fun and bouncy tempo."[2]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 47 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated April 6, 1991. It charted for 20 weeks on that chart, and peaked at number 1 on the country chart dated June 15, 1991, giving Diffie his second Number One single.

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3] 4
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1991) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] 64
US Country Songs (Billboard)[6] 22

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. "Single releases" (PDF). Cashbox: 29. March 30, 1991.
  3. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1562." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 6, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  4. "Joe Diffie Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  5. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  6. "Best of 1991: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.


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