The daughter of singer George Morgan, she made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen, performing Marie Osmond's "Paper Roses." Her father died when she was sixteen.
When her father died in 1975, she took over his band and began leading the group through various club gigs. Within a few years she disbanded the group, and in 1977 she went on to play with the Little Roy Wiggins band. She then became a receptionist and demo singer at Acuff-Rose, where she also wrote songs.
In 1978, she had one minor hit single; the following year another minor hit with "I'm Completely Satisfied", an electronically dubbed duet with her late father. She began touring Nashville nightclubs and opened for a number of acts, including Jack Greene, Billy Thunderkloud, and Jeannie Seely. She toured as a duet partner with George Jones and spent two years as part of the Opryland USA bluegrass show and as a regular singer on TNN's Nashville Now.
In 1983, TNN was launched as the first cable network devoted to country music. Morgan was a regular on the show Nashville Now, singing towards the end of each show.
In 1984, Morgan scored a minor hit with "Don't Go Changing". That year she became the youngest singer ever to join the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1988, Morgan was signed with RCA Records, her first major label.
In 1989, Morgan's first album Leave the Light On was released; "Trainwreck of Emotion" became her first Top 20 hit, followed by her first major hit with "Dear Me".
In 1990, Morgan had her first number one single, "Five Minutes". That song was also featured in her album Leave the Light On, which went gold.
In 1991, Morgan's second album Something in Red went platinum. Morgan married her third husband Brad Thompson, bus driver of Clint Black.
In 1992, Morgan's third album Watch Me was released on RCA's newest label, BNA Records, spawning the number one single "What Part of No".
In 1993, Morgan was the first female country artist to have three albums in a row to be certified platinum. Morgan's romantic life gained tabloid attention with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman following her third divorce.
In 1994, Morgan was voted Female Vocalist of the Year by the fans in TNN's Music City News awards. She would earn this honor again in 1996, 1997 and 1998. She also appeared on Frank Sinatra's Duets II album, singing a version of "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" intertwined with Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine".
In 1995, Morgan had another number one song on the Country Charts called "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" from her Greatest Hits CD.
In 1996, Morgan was featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 performing a cover of their 1964 hit "Don't Worry Baby". The Beach Boys provided the harmonies and backing vocals.
Personal life
======================
Morgan is known for her turbulent personal life -- she told Larry King in an interview that "drama is something that lets you know you're still alive." As of 2006, she is married to singer Sammy Kershaw; they were separated at one point but apparently have since reconciled. Kershaw is her fifth husband; she was married to country singer Keith Whitley from 1986 until his death in 1989. They had one child together, a son, Jesse Keith Whitley, born in 1987. She also has a daughter Morgan from her first marriage. Prior to Kershaw she was involved in a lengthy relationship with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Troy Aikman.
[edit] U.S. Senator Fred Thompson and Lorrie Morgan (1994-1996)
Morgan was also romantically linked from 1994 to 1996 with actor, lobbyist, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (and former Hendersonville, Tennessee resident), and possible 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Fred Dalton Thompson.
In her book Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story, Morgan states that:
It was great to go out with an older man [Fred Thompson] who was very successful on his own. I felt very secure with him, and he became a wonderful friend, a caring, inspirational man who would encourage me not to doubt myself (which, maybe you can tell by now, is one of my best things).
Fred is an extremely generous man. He wined and dined me and bought me presents --- furs, earrings, Chanel shoes with real high heels.
For a while, I enjoyed my first exposure to politics. It was interesting to hear about political conversations, and people even began talking about Fred as a potential president. It was inevitable that I would be sitting at a glamorous party and would have the flickering thought, So, this is what it's like to be a First Lady. Hell, I could handle that. Then I would say, "Oops, better drop the 'hell'"
I put myself to the task of being a great companion to a stimulating and important man, and as a result I become boring. I lost my spunk, my spontaneity, I had to stop and think about the political implications of everything before I uttered a word in public. Was this a Democratic issue? Was this a Republican issue? I could not trust my best asset, my gut instincts. In other words, I could not be myself.
Fred let me know that it was important how I dressed. Sedate was in. Even if I felt like a little flair that night, forget it --- we might be with men who had big wallets and insecure wives, wives who were a little older than I was. So get that basic black dress out of the closet. And no cleavage, baby.
Fred's senator buddies loved me, and some of my friends said that they never seen me happier. For a while, I wanted to marry Fred, but I knew he could not accept me as I am.
Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story. pp. 262-263. Lorrie Morgan with George Vecsey. 1997. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-41297-4
What Part of No
Lorrie Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the moment I walked in tonight
You've been coming on
If I've told you once I've told you twice
I'm just here to unwind
I'm not interested in romance or
What you have in mind
To put it plain and simple
I'm not into one night stands
I'll be glad to explain it
If it's too hard to comprehend
So tell me what part of no
Don't you understand
I appreciate the drink and the
Rose was nice of you
I don't mean to be so mean
But I don't think I'm getting through
No I don't need no company
No I don't want to dance
So what part of no don't you understand
What part of no don't you understand
To put it plain and simple
I'm not into one night stands
I'll be glad to explain it
If it's too hard to comprehend
So tell me what part of no
Don't you understand
Lorrie Morgan’s hit song “What Part of No” is an anthem for women who have to defend themselves from unwanted advances. It’s a song about a woman who’s not interested in romance or a one night stand, who’s explicit in letting the man know her boundaries. Throughout the song, Lorrie Morgan’s clear and concise lyrics capture her confidence and determination.
The song’s chorus, which repeats itself three times, is its defining moment. It takes on an empowered stance, directly demanding to know which part of no this man doesn’t understand. The song is a reminder that a woman’s right to say no should be respected and that it should never be up for negotiation. The woman in the song makes it clear that neither a drink nor a rose nor any amount of charm is going to change her mind.
Morgan’s powerful delivery and clear lyrics summed up the experience of many women who have found themselves in similar situations. The song was a massive hit on multiple country charts and brought attention to the issue of consent and the importance of respecting boundaries. The song’s strength lies in its directness and firmness, and it remains an anthem for women who want to assert their right to say “no.”
Line by Line Meaning
Sir if you don't mind I'd rather be alone
I prefer to be by myself, if you don't mind.
From the moment I walked in tonight
Since I arrived here tonight
You've been coming on
You've been flirting with me
If I've told you once I've told you twice
I've already said it multiple times
I'm just here to unwind
I am only here to relax
I'm not interested in romance or
I do not desire any romantic involvement
What you have in mind
Any intentions or plans you may have
What part of no don't you understand
What aspect of a refusal do you fail to comprehend?
To put it plain and simple
To be direct and clear
I'm not into one night stands
I do not want to engage in casual sex
I'll be glad to explain it
I am willing to clarify
If it's too hard to comprehend
If you are finding it difficult to understand
So tell me what part of no
Please explain which part of my refusal
Don't you understand
Are you struggling to comprehend?
I appreciate the drink and the
I am thankful for the drink and the
Rose was nice of you
It was kind of you to give me the rose
I don't mean to be so mean
I do not intend to be rude
But I don't think I'm getting through
But I do not believe my message is being understood
No I don't need no company
I do not require any company
No I don't want to dance
I am not interested in dancing
So what part of no don't you understand
So which part of my refusal are you failing to grasp?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARRELL WAYNE PERRY, GERALD N SMITH (USA 2)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind