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.
Paradise
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then I understand. mm
Her eyes afire with one desire
Then a heavenly kiss
Could I resist?
And then she dims the light, mm
And then she holds me tight. mm
Her kiss, each fond caress
She takes me to paradise
And then he holds my hand, mm
And then I understand. mm
His eyes afire with one desire
Then a heavenly kiss
Could I resist?
And then he dims the light, mm
And then he holds me tight. mm
Her kiss, each fond caress
They lead the way to happiness
She takes me to paradise
The lyrics in "Paradise" by Lynn Anderson describe the passionate and intimate moment between two lovers. The first stanza starts with the woman holding the singer's hand, and he begins to understand their profound connection. The passion in her eyes motivates him, and he cannot resist her heavenly kiss. In the second stanza, the roles are switched, and it's the man who holds the singer's hand. The dwindling of the light represents the two lovers being consumed by their desire for one another, and his tight embrace takes her closer to paradise.
The lyrics use strong sensory imagery to paint a picture of the emotional setting. The fond caress and heavenly kiss evoke an aura of tenderness and intimate passion, and the dimming light creates an ambiance of comfort and security. The repetition of holding hands alludes to a deeper connection between the two lovers, which is further highlighted by the lead-up to the moment they find themselves sharing. The profoundness of their passion, their longing for each other, the way they hold each other tightly, and the closeness that takes them to paradise, leaves them overcome with emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
And then she holds my hand, mm
When she takes my hand, I feel a special connection with her.
And then I understand. mm
I get what she's trying to communicate to me through her touch.
Her eyes afire with one desire
I can see the passion in her eyes for me
Then a heavenly kiss
Our kiss is magical and makes me feel like I'm in paradise.
Could I resist?
Why would I want to resist such an amazing moment?
And then she dims the light, mm
She creates a cozy atmosphere by turning down the lights.
And then she holds me tight. mm
She hugs me closely, making me feel secure and loved.
Her kiss, each fond caress
Her kisses and gentle touches make me feel special and loved.
They lead the way to happiness
Our intimate moments together make us both happy and fulfilled.
She takes me to paradise
Being with her feels like being in a perfect, heavenly place.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Gregory J Abbott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sandra Durham
Lovely song Bill, I like nearly all of Lynn Anderson's recording's.
Bethy-Lou
Pretty song and singer. Love her voice. Made my lunch time relax time for a bit. Thank you, WB. Have a great afternoon and evening. 🦃 🌺 🌹 🌸 🦃
Tina Beck
Good song
Elizabeth Turrell
This is a lovely song, not as good as 16th Avenue, but love all Lynn Anderson songs.
She had a class about her.
Stay safe Wicker Bill.
Thank you xx
graham bull
I’ve been known locally..to play this very,very loud!
Ruth Boykin
@graham bull ❤️🎶🎶🎶💃🏻🎉🎉
graham bull
@Ruth Boykin ..now there’s a plan Ruth! xx
Ruth Boykin
@graham bull. Hi Graham! I hope you're doing well. Things sure have slowed me down this year. I love this song and she sings it beautifully! I think I heard it all the way from your house! : ) If I miss you, wishing you an early Happy 80th Birthday next month! Mine is on the 20th of next month, I will be 75. Next year, let's meet in New Orleans to celebrate! XX
Rebecca D
@Wicker Bill loud good 😃 on this song .
Wicker Bill
It sounds good loud , Ive tried it too.