"Waterloo" was a number-one hit (country chart) for country singer Stonewall Jackson in 1959. It was written by John D. Loudermilk and Marijohn Wilkin.

Background

The song tells of three famous people who, because of their actions, "met their Waterloo" – Adam (who ate the "apple"),

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

(at the namesake

battle A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

), and Tom Dooley (who was hanged for murder).

Chart performance

The single was the most successful of Jackson's career, spending five weeks at number one on the U.S. country music chart. The B-side of "Waterloo", "Smoke Along the Track", reached number 24 on the country chart. "Waterloo" was also Jackson's only top 40 hit, where it stayed on the chart for 16 weeks, peaking at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 pop chart.Billboard Top 100 online
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References

Columbia Records singles 1959 singles Stonewall Jackson (musician) songs Songs written by John D. Loudermilk Songs written by Marijohn Wilkin 1959 songs Songs about Napoleon Songs about soldiers Songs about criminals Cultural depictions of Adam and Eve Song recordings produced by Don Law {{1950s-country-song-stub