Lynn Rene Anderson (September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was a multi-award-w… Read Full Bio ↴Lynn Rene Anderson (September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was a multi-award-winning American country music singer known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably her 1970 country-pop, worldwide megahit "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden". Anderson's crossover appeal and regular exposure on national television helped her to become one of the most popular and successful country singers of the 1970s.

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.

What a Man My Man Is
Lynn Anderson Lyrics

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Goodbye blues I'm not gonna sing you no more
I finally got my hands on what I'v been looking for
I've found me a man that knows how to keep me eatin' from the palm of his hand
Talk about sunshine I've got the sunshine man
Man what a man what a man what a man my man is
There's not a day when he doesn't say he needs me and loves me
Man what a man what a man what a man my man is
He's always around when I'm down the most with two lovin' arms to hold me close

Man what a man what a man what a man my man is
[ guitar ]
Hello rainbow I've finally found your pot of gold
I finally got my hands on a real live dream I can hold
I've found me a man that knows how to keep me sittin' up on cloud nine

Talk about the music I hear it all the time
Man what a man what a man...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lynn Anderson's song What a Man My Man Is speaks about a woman's contentment and happiness with her man. The opening line speaks about bidding farewell to the blues, indicating that she has found what she was searching for- a man who can bring positivity into her life. The song describes the love and admiration she has for her man by repeatedly singing the phrase "Man what a man what a man what a man my man is." The woman is overjoyed that her man shows his love for her every day and is always present when she needs him the most. She also talks about her man's ability to make her feel on cloud nine and the good vibes he brings into her life.

The song What a Man My Man Is talks about a woman's experience with her loving and supportive partner, which highlights the importance of love and support in a relationship. It celebrates the positive aspects of a relationship and how it can bring happiness and add meaning to one's life. The song addresses the idea of finding the perfect partner and how it can change one's life for the better, which according to the song, is an achievement that can completely transform one's life. All in all, the song explores the deeper meaning of love and companionship in a very uplifting and positive manner.

Line by Line Meaning

Goodbye blues I'm not gonna sing you no more
I am leaving behind my sadness and no longer singing about my troubled past.

I finally got my hands on what I'v been looking for
I have finally found what I have been searching for, which is a loving and caring man.

I've found me a man that knows how to keep me eatin' from the palm of his hand
I have found a man who knows how to keep me happy and satisfied in every way.

Talk about sunshine I've got the sunshine man
My man brings light and happiness into my life just like the sun does.

Man what a man what a man what a man my man is
My man is truly amazing and I can't help but express my admiration for him.

There's not a day when he doesn't say he needs me and loves me
My partner expresses his love and appreciation for me every single day.

He's always around when I'm down the most with two lovin' arms to hold me close
My man is always there to support and comfort me during my toughest moments.

Hello rainbow I've finally found your pot of gold
I feel like I have hit the jackpot or found a treasure by finding my perfect partner.

I've found me a man that knows how to keep me sittin' up on cloud nine
My partner knows exactly how to make me feel ecstatic and elated all the time.

Talk about the music I hear it all the time
My love for my partner and the happiness he brings me feels like a beautiful melody that I hear every moment.

Man what a man what a man...
I just can't stop talking about how amazing my man truly is.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GLENN SUTTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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