Freddy Fender hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” on May 31, 1975. The track was released as the title song from Fender’s debut album, which also includes the track "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights."When the track hit the top of the chart, it claimed the top spot from "Shining Star"by Earth, Wind & Fire. Fellow country star John Denver eventually succeeded Fender with his classic “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”Fender spent three years in prison between 1960 and 1963 for marijuana possession and the track was initially released while he was incarcerated. The track was originally recorded by Charlie Pride, and Fender was convinced to record it by the head of his record label, Huey Meaux of Crazy Cajun Records.