Johnny Rodriguez No. 7 hit just 'happened'

This week in 1978: Footprints believed to belong to a human ancestor who lived 3.5 million years ago were discovered at the bottom of an African watering hole; Japan and China signed a $20 billion trade pact - the most important move since the 1972 resumption of diplomatic ties; a highly radioactive piece of Soviet satellite was discovered in Canada; and a singer from Sabinal, Texas, had his 18th hit record.

Sometimes a song will just fall together right out of the blue, and according to Bob McDill, Johnny Rodriguez's 1978 hit record, "We Believe In Happy Endings" was one of those tunes.

McDill commented, "I love rhymes! I just never get tired of hearing them. And I love all the rhymes in that song. All those imperfect rhymes all the beginnings and endings. I just started thinking about all those rhymes one day and I don't think I stopped until I finished the song. Once I started, I don't think I stopped until I was done. I don't know what - if anything - inspired it. The song just happened. I think I wrote the song in one afternoon. And I thought it was just a knockout record!"

Johnny Rodriguez's Mercury records version of "We Believe In Happy Endings" came on the country charts February 25, 1978 and peaked at No. 7.

This week in 1978, the single was becoming his 18th hit record and was on the charts for 14 weeks.

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