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.
Danny's Song
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll be like he and me as free as a dove
Conceived in love the sun is gonna shine above
Even though we ain't got money I'm so in love with you honey
Everything will bring a chain of love
In the mornin' when I rise you bring a tear of joy to my eyes
Tell me everything is gonna be all right
Love him and he'll bring you luck
And if you find he helps your mind better take him home
Oh don't you live alone try to earn what lovers own
Even though we ain't got money...
[ steel ]
Even though we ain't got money...
The lyrics to Lynn Anderson's "Danny's Song" are a beautiful depiction of love, family, and the optimism that comes with starting a new chapter in one's life. The singer speaks about how fortunate they are to have just begun their journey with their partner, and the excitement that they feel in anticipating the birth of their son. They describe their child as being as free as a dove, embodying the love that brought them into existence, and the promise of a bright future. The theme of love persists throughout the song, as the singer acknowledges their lack of financial resources, but insists that this will not dampen their spirits or their ability to share love with one another. They describe how every small thing brings them closer together, and how they bring tears of joy to one another's eyes. They also advise the listener to cherish those who bring them happiness and to not let them go, emphasizing the importance of human connection in our lives.
One of the most interesting facts about "Danny's Song" is that it was actually written by Kenny Loggins, who recorded it with his duo Loggins and Messina on their 1971 album "Sittin' In." Anderson's 1972 cover version became a hit in its own right and has since been covered by numerous artists. The song was inspired by the birth of Loggins' brother's child, and was written as a gift to his family. Another interesting fact is that the song was covered by Anne Murray in 1972, and her version became a bigger hit than Anderson's. The song has also been featured in several TV shows and movies such as The Big Bang Theory and DJango Unchained.
Line by Line Meaning
People smile and tell I'm the lucky one we've just begun I think I'm gonna have a son
Others admire my situation and congratulate me, as my family is just starting to grow and I am looking forward to having a son.
He'll be like he and me as free as a dove
My son will take after his father and me, living freely and unencumbered, like a dove.
Conceived in love the sun is gonna shine above
My son was conceived in love, and the future looks bright for him.
Even though we ain't got money I'm so in love with you honey
Although we do not have much money, my love for my partner is strong and unwavering.
Everything will bring a chain of love
Every positive interaction we have will create a chain of love and positivity around us.
In the mornin' when I rise you bring a tear of joy to my eyes
When I wake up in the morning, looking at my partner brings tears of joy to my eyes.
Tell me everything is gonna be all right
Assure me that everything will be okay in our future.
Love the man who holds the world in a paper cup oh drink it up
Cherish the man who is content with simple things, who sees the beauty in small pleasures.
Love him and he'll bring you luck
If you love and appreciate such a man, he will bring you good fortune and happiness.
And if you find he helps your mind better take him home
If you find that he brings clarity and positive influence to your mind, bring him into your life fully.
Oh don't you live alone try to earn what lovers own
Do not live in isolation, and strive to achieve what people in love share and own together, as a team.
Even though we ain't got money...
Despite our financial limitations, our love and mutual support will be enough to get us through anything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KENNETH CLARK LOGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandra Roud
Love this song. Have it on an album. Beautifully done.
Br Alan Parham
I heard her sing this one night on TV. I was staying overnight at a friend's apartment in the city. I didn't have to work the next day. Just a simple, happy night. The next day, I awoke early, so I walked in the cold morning to Mass at St. Anthony's. How I miss those days.
Nina Garcia
This is a good version, I remember it's Ann Murray singing this.
John Hurley
a lot of versions to this song but this one is the best R.I.P Lynn
John Hurley
Nina Anne Murray does sing this song.This version is from Lynn Anderson.