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.
Rocky Top
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a man on Rocky Top half bear the other half cat
Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop I still dream about that
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee Rocky Top Tennessee
Once two strangers climbed old Rocky Top looking for a moonshine still
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top the dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top get their corn from a jar
Rocky Top you'll always be...
[ banjo - steel ]
I've had years of cramped up city life trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life can't be simple again
Rocky Top you'll always be...
Rocky Top Tennessee
The song "Rocky Top" by Lynn Anderson is a song that talks about the allure and beauty of the Tennessee hills in the United States of America. The lyrics are a nostalgic ode to a place where life is as simple as the natural beauty surrounding it. The chorus "Rocky Top, you'll always be home sweet home to me, good old Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee" is a statement of the love and attachment that the singer has for the place she is singing about. It is a home that she thinks of often, and she longs to be back there amongst the hills.
The lyrics also tell the story of two strangers that climbed the Rocky Top hills searching for a moonshine still. The people native to the place seem to have a secret way of making corn whiskey that they themselves are not willing to share. The source of their corn remains a mystery, and the fact that the strangers never came back from their search, suggests that they may have met an interesting fate whilst on their search. The song paints a vivid picture of life on Rocky Top, a place of simple pleasures, good times, and great memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish that I was on old Rocky Top down in the Tennessee hills
I wish I could be in a peaceful and natural place like Rocky Top in Tennessee.
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top ain't no telephone bills
Rocky Top is a clean and simple place, without pollution or the expensive trappings of modern life.
Once I had a man on Rocky Top half bear the other half cat
I once met a rugged and unusual man on Rocky Top, who was tough and independent but also affectionate and charming.
Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop I still dream about that
He was as wild and unpredictable as a mink, but had a charming sweetness and energy that still fills my dreams.
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me
Rocky Top is a place that will always feel like home to me, no matter where I go.
Good ole Rocky Top Rocky Top Tennessee Rocky Top Tennessee
Rocky Top is a uniquely wonderful and beloved place in Tennessee that I will always cherish and celebrate.
Once two strangers climbed old Rocky Top looking for a moonshine still
Once, two curious outsiders tried to find a hidden moonshine operation on Rocky Top by climbing its rugged terrain.
Straingers ain't come down from Rocky Top I reckon they never will
Those strangers never returned from Rocky Top, suggesting its mysterious and rugged terrain is too challenging for outsiders to navigate safely.
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top the dirt's too rocky by far
The soil on Rocky Top is so rocky that it is not suitable for growing corn or other crops.
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top get their corn from a jar
The people who live on Rocky Top must rely on homemade moonshine (corn liquor) for their alcohol, since they cannot grow corn in their rocky soil.
I've had years of cramped up city life trapped like a duck in a pen
I have spent many years living in the confined and monotonous environment of the city, feeling trapped and powerless like a duck in a small pen.
All I know is it's a pity life can't be simple again
All I yearn for is a simpler and more natural life, like the one I imagine exists on Rocky Top.
Rocky Top you'll always be...
Rocky Top is always on my mind and in my heart, a symbol of the simple and natural life that I long for.
[ banjo - steel ]
A musical interlude follows to evoke the sounds of traditional bluegrass music, which is often associated with the rural south.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bryant Boudleuaux, Felice Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan
Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
I've had years of cramped-up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
StaceyDMify
She was the one who took the song to national prominence on the charts. Love this original recording. Thanks for sharing.
Muzikgirl67
PURE COUNTRY GOLD! Thank you so very much for posting and sharing this "lost and VERY rarely heard anymore" gem that climbed to #17 on the Billboard Country Chart back in July 1970 for Lynn (I think it should've charted MUCH higher in my humble opinion!)..I thoroughly enjoyed listening, and I greatly appreciate that you are sharing the "ORIGINAL 1970" version with all of us fellow Youtubers to enjoy!...plus, the sound quality is TOP-NOTCH too! Take Care! Ms. Elizabeth🎻🎸🎻🎸🎻
Diann Harris
RIP, Lynn. I always enjoyed hearing you sing, especially Rocky Top.
Cb_Styx
@Sly bc she died july 15th 2016 Nashville tn Vanderbilt hospital
Kenny Dobbins
It means rest in peace.
Sly
Diann Harris why would you want to rip her?
BIG DADDY
I first heard this song as a child back in 1970 on our way to the county fair.
Great memories
Maria Acosta
This L.A. girl just visited Tennessee and got this song stuck in my head after only hearing it once. Thank goodness the words are easy to understand, 'cause there's nothing worse that singing a song in your head all day that you don't know the words to. I don't care what the "city folk" say, I like it!
Mike Stidham
I hear you loud and clear. I've visited Tennessee a handful of times and it's a genuinely beautiful state. Every time I hear this song, it brings back memories of those trips.
Jupiter in Aries
L.a. girls dont get this music.