Early in his career, he worked with guitarist Duane Eddy, and his own band, Guys and Dolls. He is best known for writing the country hit "Behind Closed Doors", which Charlie Rich recorded, and "Mama He's Crazy" for The Judds. "Behind Closed Doors" won a Grammy Award in 1973 for Best Country & Western Recording. O'Dell also wrote pop and soft rock songs, including Next Plane to London which was a Top 20 hit in 1967 for Rose Garden. O'Dell is credited as "Kenny Gist, Jr" on the record label.
Rich also had a top 10 hit in 1972 with the O'Dell-penned song "I Take It On Home". O'Dell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His only Billboard Top 40 appearance came in 1967 when "Beautiful People" climbed to number 38, and his only other Billboard Top 100 appearance came in 1968 with the local hit "Springfield Plane". O'Dell also had a top 10 country hit on his own with "Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'" in 1978.
When O'Dell first moved to Nashville, he ran Bobby Goldsboro's publishing company. He has had other hit covers including "Trouble in Paradise" by Loretta Lynn in 1974.
His 1973 b-side "Homecoming Queen" is still frequently misidentified as an unreleased song called "Penny O'Dell" from Paul McCartney and Wings, this being the result of a bootleg album from the latter 1970s erroneously making this claim.
Discography
Albums
Year Album Label
1968 Beautiful People Vegas
1974 Kenny O'Dell Capricorn
1978 Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'
Singles
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country - US - CAN Country
1962 "Old Time Love" — — — single only
1967 "Beautiful People" — 38 — Beautiful People
1968 "Springfield Plane" — 94 — singles only
"Happy with You" — 118 —
"Bless Your Little Heart" — — —
1970 "If I Was a Rambler" — — —
1971 "Jubal" — — —
1972 "Why Don't We Go Somewhere and Love" — — —
"Lizzie and the Rainman" — — —
1973 "Rock and Roll Man" — — —
1974 "You Bet Your Sweet, Sweet Love" 58 — — Kenny O'Dell
"I'll Find Another Way (To Say I Love You)" — — —
1975 "Soulful Woman" 18 — 36
"My Honky Tonk Ways" 37 105 — singles only
"I Can't Think When You're Doin'" — — —
1978 "Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'" 9 — — Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'
"As Long as I Can Wake Up in Your Arms" 12 — 14
1979 "Medicine Woman" 32 — — single only
Awards
1973—Grammy\Best Country Song\"Behind Closed Doors"
1973—CMA\Song of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors"
1973—CMA\Single of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors"
1973—ACM\Song of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors"
1973—ACM\Single of the Year\"Behind Closed Doors"
1984—Nashville Songwriters Association International\Songwriter of the Year
1984—NSAI\Song of the Year\"Mama He's Crazy"
1985—BMI\Country Song of the Year\"Mama He's Crazy"
Beautiful People
Kenny O'Dell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
It's true - it's true - it's true
And I love you
You're so easy to make conversation with
And nobody else can please me that way
No one can say that you're a wallflower
You've just got to be one of the most
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
It's true - it's true - it's true
And I love you
Talk about a girl with a sweet disposition
You oughta have a room full of ribbons
And wear 'em in your hair
Every day of the week for me
People turn around they know we're the happiest
People today in this whole town
And it's no wonder that they kinda wonder
If we're not the grooviest couple around
You've just got to be one of the most
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
It's true - it's true - it's true
And I love you
You've just got to be one of the most
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
It's true - it's true - it's true
I love you
I do - I do - I do
Mmmm - I love ya
You've just got to be one of the most
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
It's true - it's true - it's true
And I love you
The song "Beautiful People" by Kenny O'Dell is a classic ode to a wonderful person. The lyrics are full of affection, admiration and appreciation for the subject of the song. In the first verse, the singer expresses that the person is the most beautiful person in the entire world, making sure to repeat it three times to emphasize the point. The chorus is a declaration of love for this individual, reiterating that they are indeed beautiful and that the singer truly loves them.
The second verse gives a specific example of why the singer finds this person so great - they are easy to talk to and have a way of pleasing the singer that no one else can. The third verse speaks to the sweetness of the person's disposition and suggests that they should wear ribbons in their hair every day. The final chorus repeats the sentiment of the first, emphasizing the beauty and love that the singer holds for this person.
Overall, the song is a simple yet heartfelt tribute to someone special. It is a reminder to appreciate the people in our lives who bring us joy and happiness, and to let them know how much we love and value them.
Line by Line Meaning
You've just got to be one of the most
Beautiful people in the whole wide world
You are truly one of the most attractive and wonderful human beings on this planet
It's true - it's true - it's true
This statement is absolutely genuine
And I love you
I have deep affection and care for you
You're so easy to make conversation with
You have a pleasant personality and it is effortless to talk to you
And nobody else can please me that way
Nobody else can make me feel as content as you do
No one can say that you're a wallflower
You are not shy or introverted, and always have something to contribute to conversations
Cause you've always got something groovy to say
You have a unique and interesting perspective on things that is always enjoyable to hear
Talk about a girl with a sweet disposition
You have a kind and pleasant nature
You oughta have a room full of ribbons
You deserve all the accolades and recognition for how wonderful you are
And wear 'em in your hair
You should proudly display your achievements and accolades
Every day of the week for me
I am constantly in awe of your greatness
People turn around they know we're the happiest
Others can see how happy we are together
People today in this whole town
Everyone in this town is aware of our happiness
And it's no wonder that they kinda wonder
It's natural for others to be curious about our joyful relationship
If we're not the grooviest couple around
We are likely the coolest and most harmonious partners in the area
I do - I do - I do
My love and commitment to you is absolute
Mmmm - I love ya
I am deeply in love with you
Contributed by Caleb R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.