The film grossed almost $47 million in the United States alone. Some film critics referred to the movie as a country music version of Saturday Night Fever. It was on this date (June 6th) in 1980, the world fell in love with the love-hate relationship between Buford Uan “Bud” Davis and Sissy.

The film’s screenplay was adapted by Aaron Latham and James Bridges from an article by the same name in Esquire Magazine written by Latham. The original Esquire article centered on the romance between two Gilley’s regulars named Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer. Westbrook and Helmer’s real life relationship became the inspiration for the on screen romance between John Travolta’s and Debra Winger’s characters “Bud” and “Sissy”. The movie was directed by Bridges.

The movie featured a hit soundtrack album spawning numerous Top 10 Billboard Country Singles, such as No. 1 “Lookin’ for Love” by Johnny Lee, No.1 “Stand by Me” by Mickey Gilley, No. 3 (AC chart) “Look What You’ve Done to Me” by Boz Scaggs, No. 1 “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray, and No. 4 “Love the World Away” by Kenny Rogers. It also included songs that were hits from earlier years such as No. 1 “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band and “Lyin’ Eyes” by the Eagles.

More From Radio Texas Live