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.
He Ain't You
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or the sweet touch of his hand
I only know there's something missing
I guess I'll never understand
I close my eyes and I see you
Clear as I'm seeing you today
There's just no way he'll ever be you
But he holds me tight when he
Finds me crying at night
I know he's doing the best he can
But he ain't you, babe
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
No, he ain't you, babe
You always thought I'd be yours only
Like a fool, I let you down
Now I'm his and, ooh, it's lonely
Is it too late to turn around?
'Cause he holds me tight when he
Finds me crying at night
And I know he's doing the best he can
But he ain't you, babe
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
No, he ain't you, babe
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
No, he ain't you, babe
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
The lyrics of Lynn Anderson's song "He Ain't You" depict a bittersweet love story. The singer acknowledges that there is nothing inherently wrong with the affection and intimacy she shares with her current partner (“There's nothing wrong with this kissing / Or the sweet touch of his hand”). However, she also senses that something crucial is missing in their relationship, and she admits her inability to fully comprehend it (“I only know there’s something missing / I guess I’ll never understand”).
Despite attempting to move on and accept her new partner, the singer cannot help but reminisce about her past love. She vividly imagines and remembers the person to whom she is truly devoted, seeing them in her mind’s eye as vividly as if they were standing before her ("I close my eyes and I see you / Clear as I’m seeing you today"). The depth of her affection for her former lover is undeniable, and she acknowledges that her current partner can never truly replace them ("There's just no way he'll ever be you / And that's the price I have to pay").
Line by Line Meaning
There's nothing wrong with this kissing
There is no issue with the physical act of kissing
Or the sweet touch of his hand
Nor with the comforting gesture of his hand
I only know there's something missing
However, I can't help but feel that something important is lacking
I guess I'll never understand
Yet, I accept that I will never fully comprehend it
I close my eyes and I see you
When I shut my eyes, I envision you
Clear as I'm seeing you today
As vividly as I see you in the present moment
There's just no way he'll ever be you
There is simply no possibility for him to become like you
And that's the price I have to pay
Unfortunately, this is the cost I must bear
But he holds me tight when he
Nevertheless, he embraces me tightly when
Finds me crying at night
He discovers me weeping during the nighttime
I know he's doing the best he can
I am aware that he is trying his utmost
But he ain't you, babe
However, he cannot compare to you, my dear
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
Occasionally, it becomes evident that he cannot replace you
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
I believe he is aware of the fact that he is not you
No, he ain't you, babe
Indeed, he is not you, my love
You always thought I'd be yours only
You perpetually believed that I would belong solely to you
Like a fool, I let you down
Regrettably, I disappointed your expectations like a foolish person
Now I'm his and, ooh, it's lonely
Now, I belong to him, and oh, it feels isolating
Is it too late to turn around?
Could it be too late to change my course of action?
'Cause he holds me tight when he
Because he tightly embraces me when
Finds me crying at night
He discovers me sobbing during the nighttime
And I know he's doing the best he can
And I am aware that he is giving his utmost effort
But he ain't you, babe
Nevertheless, he cannot compare to you, my dear
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
Sometimes, it becomes apparent that he cannot replace you
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
I believe he is aware of the fact that he is not you
No, he ain't you, babe
No, indeed he is not you, my love
Sometimes it shows that he ain't you, babe
At times, it becomes evident that he cannot replace you
I think he knows that he ain't you, babe
I believe he is aware of the fact that he is not you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bradley Burg, Dene Anton, Jeff Barry, Lisa Hartman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dene anton
Lovely Lisa wrote a beautiful chord change and melodical interlude for this song which was left off the recording .But, yes, she is listed on the song. Her own version is on the first Lisa Hartman album .The late Brad Burg, Jeff Barry and I wrote it.& were happily awarded. Thanks for the video and your comments..Try to find the first Lisa Hartman album. She's amazing!.
Liam Morgan
dene anton All of Lisa’s albums are now on iTunes. This is one of my very favorite songs.
Hernán Espíndola
2021 and still hiting like 1977. Lynn always on the top. Regards from Buenos Aires!
Terry Rudenick
Absolutely Love Lynn's version of this song. Super strong heartfelt vocals!
DAAMES1
Love this song.
missbeavis1966
And I love this song by the way, the lyrics are amazing!
missbeavis1966
Lisa really is an amazing and underrated artist!
OLDCOMPUTERS1969
released in the UK as "The Angel In Your Arms" i own the white label test pressing of the album, proud to own it
Supermariobross
there always be things you'll be missing.
missbeavis1966
I can't find this to download anywhere! So irritating, I think it's her best work.