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.

I'm Alright
Lynn Anderson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm alright I'm alright I'm a little bit red in the eyes a little bit hurt in the heart
A little bit weary in the soul but I'm alright I'm alright
You mean I'm worth the dime it took call me on the phone
Since when are you concerned about the way things are at home
We're doing just fine and without you thank you me and the dog and the cat
I don't care what you're doin' and I careless where you are at
Cause I'm alright...
[ guitar ]

The rent's paid through December and there's groceries on the shelf
You're not here to take care of me so I'm taking care of myself
No I haven't got a job but I have a friend who does

I know that don't sound much like me but I'm not the girl I was
But I'm alright...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lynn Anderson's song "I'm Alright" describe a woman who is trying to convince herself that everything is okay, despite feeling hurt and weary. She repeats the phrase "I'm alright" several times throughout the song as if trying to reassure herself. The opening line, "I'm a little bit red in the eyes a little bit hurt in the heart" suggests that she has been crying and is feeling emotional. She then receives a call from a former lover who seems to be checking in on her. She responds by saying that she doesn't need him and that she and her pets are "doing just fine" without him. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm alright" as if to reinforce this idea.

The second verse continues with the idea that the woman is taking care of herself. She mentions that she has paid the rent and has groceries to last her through December. She may not have a job, but she has a friend who does. The line "I'm not the girl I was" suggests that perhaps this woman has grown and changed since the end of her relationship. Despite all of this, she still insists that she is alright.

Overall, the lyrics to "I'm Alright" depict a woman who is trying to convince herself that she is okay without her former lover. She repeats the phrase "I'm alright" as if to reassure herself.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm alright I'm alright I'm a little bit red in the eyes a little bit hurt in the heart
I may not look perfect, but regardless of the pain I feel, I'm still okay

A little bit weary in the soul but I'm alright I'm alright
Though my soul is tired and needs a break, I'm still moving forward with positivity

You mean I'm worth the dime it took call me on the phone
Are you communicating with me now because you believe I have value?

Since when are you concerned about the way things are at home
I'm surprised that you have any interest in my wellbeing or home situation

We're doing just fine and without you thank you me and the dog and the cat
My household is functional and happy without you, our wellbeing is not dependent on you

I don't care what you're doin' and I careless where you are at
I have no interest in where you are or what you're doing, it's irrelevant to me

Cause I'm alright...
Despite everything, I am still in good shape and content with my life

[ guitar ]
Instrumental interlude

The rent's paid through December and there's groceries on the shelf
I'm organized and stable in my daily living, my needs are taken care of

You're not here to take care of me so I'm taking care of myself
I don't need you to sustain or support me, I am independent and self-sufficient

No I haven't got a job but I have a friend who does
I may be unemployed, but I have a supportive friend who helps me out

I know that don't sound much like me but I'm not the girl I was
I have transformed into a different person with a new mentality and habits, unrecognizable to those who knew me in the past

But I'm alright...
Despite my recent changes and unstable state, I'm still okay and satisfied with my life

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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