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.
Ride
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't care get on your horse and ride ride ride
Since you got on your high horse all those fancy friends you've found
You've had a hard time seeing me you're always looking down
If you don't want me baby...
You talked about me honey and you tried to tear me down
But while you're throwin' dirt at me you're slowly losing around
If you don't want me baby...
I'll have your second fiddle returned to you today
'Cause baby that's one instrument I've never learned to play
If you don't want me baby...
If you don't want me baby...
In Lynn Anderson's song Ride, the lyrics express a person's sense of independence and self-respect, as they inform their partner that if they are unsatisfied in the relationship, they should simply ride away on their high horse. The opening verse sets the tone for the song's message, with the artist declaring that if her partner is not happy with her, they should not waste any more time and make a break from the relationship. The phrase "get on your horse and ride, ride, ride" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea of movement and action.
The lyrics continue to highlight the differences between the artist and her partner, who seems to value social status and material possessions, as evidenced by their "fancy friends" and their tendency to look down on the artist. Despite being the subject of negative talk and gossip, the artist remains confident, recognizing that her partner's negativity is hurting them more than it's hurting her. The final verse of the song, where the artist returns her partner's "second fiddle," is a final statement of independence and empowerment, as she affirms that she does not need anyone else's validation or acceptance.
Overall, Ride is a song that celebrates self-reliance and personal strength, as the artist encourages their partner to take responsibility for their own happiness and well-being. With its catchy tune and straightforward lyrics, the song has become a classic of country music, resonating with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't want me baby if you're not satisfied
If you're not happy with me, it's okay for you to leave
If you don't care get on your horse and ride ride ride
If you have no interest in me, then leave and never come back
Since you got on your high horse all those fancy friends you've found
Since you've become too proud to acknowledge me, you've found other superficial relationships to maintain
You've had a hard time seeing me you're always looking down
You've been too busy belittling me to notice me as a human being
You talked about me honey and you tried to tear me down
You've been spreading rumors and talking negatively about me
But while you're throwin' dirt at me you're slowly losing around
You're damaging your own reputation in the process of trying to hurt me
I'll have your second fiddle returned to you today
I'm returning your property because I no longer want to play second fiddle to you
'Cause baby that's one instrument I've never learned to play
Because I refuse to be someone's backup or afterthought
If you don't want me baby...
If you truly don't want me, then it's time for you to leave
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
E and S M
Who doesn't love Lynn?! What a voice!
RALPH FLORI
a masterpiece
Perry Strebel
Wonderful!...wonderful!!!
Rob R.
WOW Lawrence Welk discovered her, that's a YOUNG Lynn Anderson love that 👍
dave whitley
she was beautiful, lost her way too soon
Seven
Totally agree!
Nita Norman
Who’d thought we’d be here in 2021.
Michaela Vévodova
🤗
Pam
😊
Michelle M.
Catchy little country tune, but are they lip sticking? The track sounds canned.