Released in October 1977, the single took off immediately. It struck a nerve during an era marked by double-digit inflation, steel mill closures, and declining union strength across the Rust Belt. By January 1978, it secured the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, remaining on the survey for 18 weeks and crossing over into the Billboard Hot 100.
| Milestone / Metric | Historical Record (1977, 1981) | Modern Legacy (2020, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Chart Position | #1 on Billboard Hot Country Songs | Maintains steady classic country catalog streaming |
| RIAA Certification | Platinum certification (Single & LP) | Over 100M cumulative on-demand audio streams |
| Hollywood Adaptation | 1981 feature film starring Robert Hays | Referenced in worker walkout TikTok and Reels audio trends |
| Grammy Nominations | Nominated for Best Country Song (Coe) | Recognized by Rolling Stone among Top 100 Country Songs |
The single proved so massive that Avco Embassy Pictures developed a full comedy film around the title in 1981. Paycheck made a cameo appearance, while Coe secured royalty payments that provided him financial breathing room for the rest of his life.
