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:

Mercedes BoyPebbles

"Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles is about a real guy she fell in love with - they both drove Mercedes when she wrote it.

GhosttownMadonna

"Ghosttown" was Madonna's 45th chart-topper on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record for the most #1s an artist has tallied on a single Billboard chart.

I'm A BelieverThe Monkees

Neil Diamond wrote "I'm A Believer" early in his career. It was a hit for The Monkees and revived by Smash Mouth in 2001 for the movie Shrek, helping make Diamond cool again.

The DilemmaYou Me at Six

The You Me at Six song "The Dilemma" got its title from the Vince Vaughn movie of the same name.

Won't Get Fooled AgainThe Who

"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who is about a revolution, but it doesn't have a happy ending, since in the end the new regime becomes just like the old one. Pete Townshend thought that whoever was in power was destined to become corrupt.

No More I Love You'sAnnie Lennox

The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.