"Once a Day" was released as Connie Smith's debut single under RCA Victor Records. It was rush-released as a single August 1, 1964, and moved quickly up the country music chart. The song became Smith's commercial breakthrough recording, reaching No. 1 on the "Billboard Magazine" Hot Country Songs chart the week of November 28, and remaining at the top spot for eight weeks until January 16, 1965. This longevity record stood unmatched until December 2012, when "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift overtook the achievement with nine weeks at No. 1. Despite this success, Smith never topped the Billboard country charts again, and this song became her solo No. 1. She did, however, top the country charts twice more in Canada, with her cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Ribbon of Darkness" (1969) and The Everly Brothers' "('Til) I Kissed You" (1976).