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.
It Wasn
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I listen to the words you are saying it brings mem'ries when I was a trusting wife
It was't God who made honky tonk angels as you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they're still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
[ steel ]
Well it's a shame that all the blame is on us women
It's not true that only you men feel the same
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was't God who made...
Yeah it's caused many a good girl to go wrong
The lyrics of Lynn Anderson's song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" present a reflection on the double standard that exists when it comes to gender and sexuality. The song was released in 1960 in response to a country hit by Kitty Wells called "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." The lyrics of Wells' song claimed that adultery and other immoral behaviors were caused by men who led women astray. Anderson's song, on the other hand, argued that women were not solely to blame for their infidelity and that men were equally responsible.
The singer of the song reveals that she is listening to a jukebox that is playing a song about the wilder side of life. As she listens to the song, it brings back memories of when she was young and trusting, and her husband led her astray. She notes that it wasn't God who made honky-tonk angels, as Wells claimed, but rather the actions of married men. The chorus of the song takes a gender-neutral stance, arguing that women are not solely responsible for their own morality, and the blame should also be placed on men who behave badly.
Overall, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is a powerful commentary on the double standards that exist when it comes to the morality of men and women. The song addresses issues of gender and sexuality that are still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
As I sit here tonight the jukebox's playing a song about the wild side of life
Tonight as I sit here, the jukebox is playing a song about the wild side of life that reminds me of a long lost past.
As I listen to the words you are saying it brings mem'ries when I was a trusting wife
While listening to your words, memories of being a trusting wife come flooding back to me.
It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels as you said in the words of your song
Your song claims that God made honky tonk angels, but that is not true.
Too many times married men think they're still single
Married men often forget that they are committed to a spouse and act as if they are still single.
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
Such behavior on the part of married men has led numerous decent women to make bad decisions.
[ steel ]
Instrumental interlude
Well it's a shame that all the blame is on us women
Sadly, women are often unfairly blamed for the actions of men.
It's not true that only you men feel the same
Contrary to popular belief, women are not the only ones who feel pain and heartbreak in relationships.
From the start most every heart that's ever broken
Almost every broken heart can be traced back to a source.
Was because there always was a man to blame
Ultimately, a significant portion of heartbreak and disappointment can be attributed to the actions of men.
It wasn't God who made...
Repeating the earlier assertion that God did not create honky tonk angels.
Yeah it's caused many a good girl to go wrong
Once again indicating that men's irresponsible behavior has led to the downfall of many decent women.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TROY HAROLD SEALS, DENNY RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shuffle877
My all time favorite version of a great old song. Thanks Jack!!!
J.W. Gauntt
you're very welcome shuff man
Daniel Burns
this song went to #20 on the country charts in 1971!!!
J.W. Gauntt
appreciate it Daniel
Robert Cooper
I think this is the very best version of this song-Thanks So Much !
Trev Mac
love it,thanks for posting
john sandiford
Great upload Jack,thanks for sharing.
J.W. Gauntt
you're very welcome Rock
Daniel Zeeman
http://youtu.be/dpMW4PghQZM
Please check out the link above. It’s of Kasey Wright singing her Great Grandmothers (Kitty Wells) famous song. Sung at the Texas Troubadour Theater during the CMA fest 2014. Great Grand Daughter of Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells. Grand Daughter of Bobby Wright.
Janie Myers
What did I do