Anderson charted 12 No. 1, 18 Top 10, and more than 50 Top 40 hits. In addition to being named "Top Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) twice and "Female Vocalist of the Year" by the Country Music Association (CMA), Anderson won a Grammy Award (earning seven nominations), People's Choice Award and an American Music Award (AMA). She was named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade (1970–1980).
Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (in 1974), as well as the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden that same year.
Anderson debuted in 1966, at the age of 19, and had her first hit with Ride, Ride, Ride. After a series of Top 10 hit singles on the country charts during the late 1960s, Anderson signed with Columbia Records in 1970. Under Columbia, she had her most successful string of hits. Her signature song, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden", remains one of the biggest selling country crossover hits of all time. In addition, the song also went to No. 3 on the Billboard Pop Chart and reached the top of the charts in several countries, an unprecedented achievement at the time. CMT ranks "Rose Garden" at No. 83 on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs in Country Music History". Anderson continued to record and remained a popular concert attraction until her death, regularly headlining major casino showrooms, performing arts centers and theaters.
She grew up in Sacramento, California with her mother, acclaimed singer-songwriter Liz Anderson who wrote "The Fugitive" and "(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers", both Merle Haggard hits, among others. She began her solo career in 1966 with "In Person", followed by a hit with her mother's "If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)".
In 1968 she married Glenn Sutton, a future Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, with whom she had a daughter, Lisa. (They divorced in 1977.)
Consistent hits followed, and she was a regular on The Lawrence Welk Show during the 1967-68 season. In 1969 Anderson signed to Columbia where her work veered a bit more toward a polished, pop sound. She released her signature song, "Rose Garden" in late 1970. The song, written by Joe South, won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance reached number 1 on the U.S. country charts, and also hit number 3 on the pop charts, as well as being a hit in fifteen countries. Anderson also received Grammy nominations for her recordings "Big Girls Don't Cry" (1968), "That's a No No" (1969), and "How Can I Unlove You" (1971)> Anderson's other hits during this period included "You're My Man", "Listen to a Country Song", "Top of the World" (a number 1 country record for Anderson before becoming a pop hit for The Carpenters), "Cry", "Keep Me in Mind", "What a Man My Man Is" and "Smile For Me". In 1971, she was voted Top Female Vocalist of the year by both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association. Anderson charted eight no.one singles, 18 Top-Tens and earned a total of 17 international Gold records. She was perhaps the most in-demand country female vocalist on network television throughout the 1970's but after 1975 her records usually peaked in the top 20 as opposed to her earlier top ten success.
Anderson married a Louisiana businessman in 1978. The second marriage produced two more children, and she was divorced in 1982.
Anderson remained one of the top female country singers into the 1980's. Her last top ten record was 1984s "You're Welcome to Tonight". During the late 1980's and early 1990s, she received much press for her disputes with her now-divorced second husband. After spending time on her ranch, raising horses and participating in equestrian events, she began recording again in 1992.
"The Bluegrass Sessions", released in 2004, earned Anderson her first Grammy nomination in over 30 years.
That same year Anderson was arrested in Denton, Texas, for drunk driving.
The American Rose Society created and named in her honor a white and raspberry hybrid tea rose.
Anderson released a new CD of original songs entitled "Cowgirl" in 2006, all of the songs penned by her mother, the acclaimed songwriter Liz Anderson.
A Whistle and a Whisker Away
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the presents on his sleigh
It's a hint that Santa Claus
Is just a whistle and a whisker away
So when everyone's good in your neighborhood
In school or out at play
It's a hint that Santa Claus
So you better listen to your mom
And your daddy too
Santa comes but once a year
Make sure he comes to you
When silver bells chime you know it's a time
For that happy day
When sleigh bells jingle ole Kris Kringle
Santa will be a whistle and a whisker away
It's starting to snow and you ought to know
By the presents on his sleigh
It's a hint that Santa Claus
Is just a whistle and a whiskеr away
A whistle and a whisker away
In Lynn Anderson's song "A Whistle and a Whisker Away," the lyrics depict the anticipation and excitement surrounding the arrival of Santa Claus. The mention of snow and presents on his sleigh serves as a hint that Santa is near. The phrase "whistle and a whisker away" suggests that Santa is just moments away, and the song emphasizes the importance of being good and responsible in order to ensure Santa's visit.
The lyrics encourage listeners, especially children, to be well-behaved and listen to their parents' advice. It highlights the idea that Santa only comes once a year, so it is crucial to make sure that he visits each individual. The mention of silver bells and sleigh bells symbolizes the joyous atmosphere and anticipation that accompanies the holiday season.
Overall, "A Whistle and a Whisker Away" conveys the sense of wonder, magic, and anticipation that is associated with the arrival of Santa Claus. It reminds listeners to cherish this time of year and to embrace the spirit of goodwill and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
It's starting to snow and you ought to know
The weather is changing, indicating that Christmas is approaching
By the presents on his sleigh
The sight of gifts on Santa's sleigh serves as evidence of his impending arrival
It's a hint that Santa Claus
These signs suggest the presence of Santa Claus
Is just a whistle and a whisker away
Santa Claus is very close, just a small signal or a short distance away
So when everyone's good in your neighborhood
When everyone behaves well in your community
In school or out at play
Whether at school or engaged in recreational activities
It's a hint that Santa Claus
These behaviors indicate the presence of Santa Claus
Is just a whistle and a whisker away
Santa Claus is very close, just a small signal or a short distance away
So you better listen to your mom
It's advisable to pay attention to your mother's advice
And your daddy too
And also heed your father's advice
Santa comes but once a year
Santa Claus only visits once a year
Make sure he comes to you
Take the necessary actions to ensure Santa visits you
When silver bells chime you know it's a time
The sound of silver bells indicates the arrival of a significant moment
For that happy day
Referring to Christmas Day, a joyful occasion
When sleigh bells jingle ole Kris Kringle
When you hear the sound of sleigh bells, Santa Claus is near
Santa will be a whistle and a whisker away
Santa Claus will be very close, just a small signal or a short distance away
It's starting to snow and you ought to know
The weather is changing, indicating that Christmas is approaching
By the presents on his sleigh
The sight of gifts on Santa's sleigh serves as evidence of his impending arrival
It's a hint that Santa Claus
These signs suggest the presence of Santa Claus
Is just a whistle and a whiskеr away
Santa Claus is very close, just a small signal or a short distance away
A whistle and a whisker away
Referring to Santa Claus being very close, just a small signal or a short distance away
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