Album: 12 Greatest Hits (1961)

Charted: 12

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• Written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard, this was arguably the first pure country single to cross over to the pop charts. It also established Patsy Cline's sophisticated weepy style.
  
  Legendary songwriter Harlan Howard was the perfect talent to bring onboard for the writing of this song. Bill DeMail quoted Howard's explanation of his proclivity for complex love songs in his Performing Songwriter obituary. "The toughest songs in the world to write are love songs," he said. "'I love you and I will forever and blah blah blah.' I'd rather get into a song about a relationship that's a little bit shaky or even tragic. That in my mind represents country music and the drama of the man-woman thing." Howard, who passed away in 2002, wrote hit songs for performers as diverse as Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Patty Loveless.
• According to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs, "Cline was reluctant to record this ballad, which had been turned down by Brenda Lee, until producer Owen Bradley coaxed her into it. The sound was stone country but wrapped in elaborate pop, with Cline crying inside, like a nerve rubbed raw by heartbreak."

Comments: 7

• Jeff from Perth Western Australia I am 40 I have older parents so I listened too alot of singers and songs of music from the 50s 60s 70 and 80s . But I agree Patsy Cline is the queen too me of country music and this song is my favourite so is crazy all her songs are brilliant. She sings with feeling that's the essence of a great singer god bless you Patsy you left this world far too soon. And I agree with the other comment just imagine what other songs she would of sang if she lived on. I have many cds and records of hers and no all the words she is the best !!!. I will always love her music till I die Jeff from all the way from down under Perth Western Australia
  Love ya Patsy lol
• Karin from Lafayette, LaPatsy is still the Queen of Country Music. When I asked my 16 year old neice who her favorite country artist is she said "Patsy Cline!" That's my girl! She and some of her friends were with me one night and they asked me to put a Patsy CD in the radio. And they all knew the words to many of her songs! What a loss to country music!
  
• Alma from Laredo, TxGreg Kin who sang "Jeopardy" back in the 80's also covered this song on American Bandstand. Just like he said the day he sang it, "Nobody sings it like Patsy". Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood have also sang this as a duet.
• Lalah from Wasilla, AkNobody could match her voice or pull the nuances of each word and note.
• Farrah from Elon, NcOOPS!!! That was a typo. She would have had the title of "Queen Of Country Music" But that went to her best friend, Loretta Lynn.
• Farrah from Elon, NcIf she wouldn't have left so soon, she probably would have had the title of "Queen
• Lalah from Wasilla, AkWeepy? No way. Patsy could belt them out, raw and barely contained. She had a perfect voice. What would she have sung if she hadn't left us so soon!

More Songfacts:

Mr. BojanglesThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Texas songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker wrote "Mr. Bojangles" after a weekend in jail where a fellow inmate told him his life story.

All ApologiesNirvana

When the Christian band DC Talk covered Nirvana's "All Apologies" at concerts, they would change the line "Everyone is gay" to "Jesus is the Way."

Don't Go Back To RockvilleR.E.M.

The R.E.M. song "Don't Go Back To Rockville" is about Mike Mills' girlfriend at the University of Georgia, who had to go back to Rockville, Maryland, for the summer.

Closer To FineIndigo Girls

The "Doctor of philosophy" in the Indigo Girls' song "Closer To Fine" is based on a teacher Emily Saliers had who had a poster of Rasputin on his door.

Fallin'Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys got a huge break when Oprah had her perform her debut single "Fallin'" on her show.

Dirty WorkSteely Dan

"Dirty Work" is one of the few Steely Dan songs not sung by Donald Fagen. The lead vocal is by David Palmer, who sang on two tracks from their debut album.

Editor's Picks

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.