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.
The Red River Valley
Lynn Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish I miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathways awhile
Come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
For such a long time I have waiting
For the sweet words you never would say
Now, alas, Oh my fond hopes all vanish
For they say you are going away
Come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowgirl that loved you so true
They come sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowgirl that loved you so true
And the cowgirl that loved you so true
"The Red River Valley" is a heartfelt love ballad that tells the story of a person bidding farewell to their loved one who is leaving the eponymous Red River Valley. The song expresses the deep longing and sadness felt by the singer as they yearn for the person's presence, recalling their bright eyes and sweet smile that brought sunshine to their life. The Red River Valley, symbolizing the place where their love blossomed, is used as a reminder of the connection they shared.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer pleads for their loved one to stay a little longer, to sit by their side and not rush to say goodbye. They express their unwavering love and loyalty, stating that they have been waiting for a long time patiently, hoping to hear the affectionate words they long for. However, their hopes are shattered upon learning that the person is indeed leaving, causing their dreams to vanish.
The repetition of the lines in the chorus reinforces the plea for the loved one's presence and the recollection of the Red River Valley, emphasizing the depth of the singer's emotions and feelings. The mention of the cowgirl in the final verse adds a poignant touch, signifying a strong, independent woman who loved the person deeply.
Overall, "The Red River Valley" is a poignant and melancholic ode to love lost, capturing the essence of longing, heartache, and the bittersweet memories of a past romance.
Line by Line Meaning
From this valley they say you are going
It is rumored that you are leaving this place
Wish I miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
I long for the sparkle in your eyes and your charming smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
It is believed that you are taking away the happiness
That has brightened our pathways awhile
That brought joy to our lives for a little while
Come and sit by my side, if you love me
If you truly love me, come and be with me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Don't rush to say goodbye
Just remember the Red River Valley
Always keep in mind the memories of our time together in the Red River Valley
And the girl who loved you so true
And remember the girl who loved you sincerely
For such a long time I have waiting
I have been waiting for a very long time
For the sweet words you never would say
Hoping to hear the sweet words you never expressed
Now, alas, Oh my fond hopes all vanish
Sadly, my cherished hopes are now disappearing
For they say you are going away
Because people say you are leaving
And the cowgirl that loved you so true
And the cowgirl who loved you with all her heart
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Ames
Have always said Lynn's is the best version. I never get tired of hearing it. Sing with the angels sweet lady❤
RHUYI SIA
I used to sing this song in primary school in the early 60s! Brings back good memories!
Chan Hung Kee
Some songs like this one stays evergreen forever. There has not even been once that I don't listen to the entire song whenever I get it downloaded.
Skinny Meneghini
My mom sang me this song when I was about four. i believed she loved this version.
Apsco Radiales
The steel is awesome, so is her voice.
Vic Domingo
This is a song for the lone ranger who loves the wide open space , blue skies and yearns for the company of a girl who he hopes to stay with him forever !
Evelyn James
This was sung during our campfire days .Wonderful memories of old friends.
Charles Arnold
A Lynn Anderson classic!!!
邵雄關屏
How sincerely she sings this song.
Her voice touches
my heart.
Frank Williams
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