Peak
39
Weeks
11
Score
876
Chart Year
1979
///
This song boasts one of the most interesting titles in country music, and as Howard Bellamy told Songfacts, it originated from a phrase coined by one the 20th century's most enduring comedians. Says Bellamy, "I have to give credit for that line to Groucho Marx. That's going way back. Of course you've heard of the Marx Brothers. Groucho used to have a show on TV when we were growing up - which I hate to even admit how long ago that was - but he had a show called You Bet Your Life, and he'd have guests on, and different quiz questions. And Groucho smoked a cigar - that tells you how long ago it was, he smoked cigars on a TV show. He'd use that line occasionally, he'd say, 'If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?' and shake his cigar and kind of raise his eyebrows. So we had heard that line growing up, and our family always had a weird southern sense of humor, and they'd use that line around a lot. So it just came one day that it'd be a great song title." This song was re-recorded with Dolly Parton for the Bellamy Brothers 2006 Angels and Outlaws album. In 2011, Britney Spears released a song called "Hold It Against Me" with the lyrics, "If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?" The Bellamy Brothers released this statement in response: "Hey, Brit, if I said you ripped off our song, would you hold it against me?" said Howard Bellamy. Added brother David, "If you listen to the lyrics of Britney Spears' new single, you'll find some major similarities... She's a talented gal. But professionally, well, in all honesty, we feel completely ripped off. Where's the originality?" The Bellamy Brothers are best known for their first single: the 1976 #1 hit "Let Your Love Flow." They soon faded from the pop charts but were embraced by country fans, and "If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body..." became the first of their 10 #1 Country hits.
If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? If I swore you were an angel Would you treat me like the devil tonight? If I was dying of thirst Would your flowing love come quench me? If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? Now we could talk all night about the weather Could tell you 'bout my friends out on the coast I could ask a lot of crazy questions Or ask you what I really wanna know If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? If I swore you were an angel Would you treat me like the devil tonight? If I was dying of thirst Would your flowing love come quench me? If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? Now rain can fall so soft against a window Sun can shine so bright up in the sky But daddy always told me, "Don't make small talk" He said, "Come on out and say what's on your mind" So if I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? If I swore you were an angel Would you treat me like the devil tonight? If I was dying of thirst Would your flowing love come quench me If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? If I said you have a beautiful body Would you hold it against me? If I swore you were an angel Would you treat me like the devil tonight?
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 26, 1979 | 90 | 36 |
| 2 | Jun 2, 1979 | 80 | 46 |
| 3 | Jun 9, 1979 | 70 | 56 |
| 4 | Jun 16, 1979 | 61 | 65 |
| 5 | Jun 23, 1979 | 54 | 72 |
| 6 | Jun 30, 1979 | 48 | 78 |
| 7 | Jul 7, 1979 | 43 | 83 |
| 8 | Jul 14, 1979 | 39 | 87 |
| 9 | Jul 21, 1979 | 39 | 87 |
| 10 | Jul 28, 1979 | 69 | 57 |
| 11 | Aug 4, 1979 | 99 | 27 |