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.
Only Baby That'll Walk The Line
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna hitch you on my head with a plenty corn bread
If you had any sense you'd quit
'Cause ever since I was a little bitty teeny girl
You thought you was the only man in my world
But now you bettter do some thinkin' then you'll find
You got the only baby that'll walk the line
I'm a comin' unglued from your funny little moods now honey baby that ain't right
'Cause ever since I was...
I keep a packin' up your clothes nearly everybody knows that I'm just a puttin' you on
Cause when you start a walkin' and you can hear me start a squawkin'
And a beggin' you to come back home
'Cause ever since I was...
You got the only baby that'll walk the line
You got the only baby that'll walk the line
The lyrics to Lynn Anderson's song "Only Baby That'll Walk The Line" depict a woman who has grown tired of her partner's disrespectful behavior. She asserts herself and warns him that if he doesn't change his ways, she will take action. She sings about how she has been putting up with his mistreatment for a long time but has reached her limit.
The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment as the woman realizes her worth and asserts her independence. She sings about how her partner has always believed he was the only man in her world, but she challenges him to think deeper and realize that she is not willing to tolerate his behavior any longer. She expresses her determination to take control of her own life, willing to leave if necessary.
The phrase "walk the line" can be interpreted as a metaphor for adhering to acceptable behavior or boundaries. It suggests that the woman's partner is the only person who can meet her standards and expectations.
Overall, the lyrics portray a woman who has finally found her voice and is ready to stand up for herself. She demands respect and fair treatment, making it clear that she won't be walked over anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows you been steppin' on my toes and I'm gettin' pretty tired of it
It is widely known that you have been disrespecting me and it has become exhausting.
I'm gonna hitch you on my head with a plenty corn bread
I am going to confront you head-on and give you a piece of my mind.
If you had any sense you'd quit
If you were smart, you would stop your behavior.
You thought you was the only man in my world
You believed you were the sole focus of my love and attention.
But now you bettter do some thinkin' then you'll find
It's time for you to reflect and realize.
You got the only baby that'll walk the line
You have a partner who remains faithful and committed.
I keep a wolkin' every day all you want to do is play I'm tired a stayin' out all night
While I work hard every day, you prioritize playing and staying out late, which has worn me out.
I'm a comin' unglued from your funny little moods now honey baby that ain't right
Your unpredictable behavior is causing me to lose control, and that is unfair.
I keep a packin' up your clothes nearly everybody knows that I'm just a puttin' you on
I frequently gather your belongings, and it is well-known that I am just pretending to end the relationship.
Cause when you start a walkin' and you can hear me start a squawkin'
Whenever you leave, you can hear me complaining loudly.
And a beggin' you to come back home
I am desperately pleading for you to return.
You got the only baby that'll walk the line
Out of everyone, you have a partner who remains loyal and faithful.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ivy J. Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind