Lynn Rene Anderson (September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was a multi-award-w… Read Full Bio ↴Lynn Rene Anderson (September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was a multi-award-winning American country music singer known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably her 1970 country-pop, worldwide megahit "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden". Anderson's crossover appeal and regular exposure on national television helped her to become one of the most popular and successful country singers of the 1970s.

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.

Blue Bayou
Lynn Anderson Lyrics

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I feel so bad I got a worried mi-ind
I'm so lonesome all of the time
Since I left my baby behind o-on Blue Bayou

Savin nickels, savin di-imes
Workin till the sun don't shine
Lookin forward to happier times o-on Blue Bayou

I'm goin back some day, come what may to Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
Where those fishin boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
That familiar sunrise through sleepy eye-eyes, how happy Id be

Gonna see my baby again
Gonna be with some o' my friends
Maybe I'll feel better again o-on Blue Bayou
Savin nickels, savin di-imes
Workin till the sun don't shine
Lookin forward to happier times o-on Blue Bayou

I'm goin back some day, come what may to Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
Where those fishin boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
That familiar sunrise through sleepy eye-eyes, how happy Id be

With that boy of mine by my side
The silver moo-oon and the evenin' tide
Some sweet day gonna take away-ay this hurtin inside

Ill never be blue, my dreams come true-ue
On Blue - Ba-you...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lynn Anderson's song Blue Bayou evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. The singer feels sad and worried since leaving her beloved behind on Blue Bayou. She is working hard, saving money, and looking forward to returning to the place where she feels most at home. The soothing imagery of fishing boats with their sails afloat and the familiar sunrise all seem to promise a better future, filled with happiness and relief from her current pain.

The song talks about the importance of belonging and finding a sense of home. Even when the singer is away, she dreams of Blue Bayou, a place where she feels safe, among people who care for her. She is determined to return, come what may, to be with the ones she loves, potentially heal her heart, and find happiness once again. This song reminds us of the power of memories and the importance of holding onto the hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Line by Line Meaning

I feel so bad I got a worried mi-ind
I am deeply distressed and experiencing anxiety.

I'm so lonesome all of the time
I feel isolated and lonely constantly.

Since I left my baby behind o-on Blue Bayou
Ever since leaving my love at Blue Bayou, I have been experiencing distress and loneliness.

Savin nickels, savin di-imes
I am saving small amounts of money.

Workin till the sun don't shine
I am working very hard for prolonged hours.

Lookin forward to happier times o-on Blue Bayou
I am excited to return to Blue Bayou for a more joyful life.

I'm goin back some day, come what may to Blue Bayou
Despite any obstacles, I am determined to go back to Blue Bayou.

Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
Blue Bayou is a place of comfort where the people are friendly and life feels good.

Where those fishin boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
I wish to see the fishing boats sailing at Blue Bayou once again.

That familiar sunrise through sleepy eye-eyes, how happy Id be
If I saw the sunrise at Blue Bayou once again, it would bring me great joy.

Gonna see my baby again
I will be reunited with my love once more.

Gonna be with some o' my friends
I will have the opportunity to be with some of my friends again.

Maybe I'll feel better again o-on Blue Bayou
I hope to regain a sense of happiness and contentment at Blue Bayou.

With that boy of mine by my side
I will have my partner with me at Blue Bayou.

The silver moo-oon and the evenin' tide
The presence of the shining moon and the ocean's movement and sound will bring me comfort.

Some sweet day gonna take away-ay this hurtin inside
Someday, the pain that I'm currently experiencing will be lifted, leaving me without hurt.

Ill never be blue, my dreams come true-ue
At Blue Bayou, I will never be sad or blue, and my dreams will come true.

On Blue - Ba-you...
Blue Bayou is a place of comfort and happiness for me.

Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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