When Naomi Judd found herself pregnant, she quickly got married but not to the father of her first child, daughter Christina Ciminella. Christina, born May 30, 1964, became known as Wynonna Judd when the mother-daughter duo stormed the country charts in the 1980s.
After Naomi Judd divorced, she moved from Hollywood, back to Morrill, Ky., with Wynonna and another daughter Ashley. There, she worked as a nurse in a local infirmary. Outside working and school hours, she and the children would sing anything from bluegrass to showbiz standards for their own amusement. However, when Wynonna nurtured aspirations to be a professional entertainer, her mother lent her encouragement, to the extent of moving the family to Nashville in 1979. Naomi's contralto subtly underlined Wynonna's tuneful drawl.
In addition to many performances on Ralph Emery's morning television show, Naomi elicited an audition for RCA Records while tending a hospitalized relation of label producer Brent Maher. With a past that read like a Judith Krantz novel, the Judds -- so the executives considered -- would have more than an even chance in the country market. An exploratory mini-album, which contained proved the executives correct. The single "Had a Dream (From the Heart)" peaked at No. 17 in 1984. Later that year, the Judds scored their first of 14 No. 1 hits with "Mama He's Crazy."
Self-composed songs included Naomi's 1989 composition "Change of Heart," dedicated to her future second husband (and former Elvis Presley backing vocalist) Larry Strickland. Meanwhile, Maher co-wrote hits such as 1985's Grammy-winning "Why Not Me," "Turn It Loose," "Girls Night Out," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Ol' Days)" and "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."
Most Judds records exhibited an acoustic bias and a penchant for star guests that included the Jordanaires on "Don't Be Cruel," Emmylou Harris on "The Sweetest Gift," Mark Knopfler on his "Water of Love" and Bonnie Raitt playing slide guitar on the album Love Can Build a Bridge. In 1988, the pair became the first female country act to found their own booking agency (Pro-Tours), but a chronic hepatitis infection forced Naomi to retire from the concert stage two years later.
The Judds toured America in a series of farewell concerts before Wynonna began her solo career. Wynonna got off to a strong start, as her first two singles both went to #1. Her 1994 single "Girls With Guitars" featured Naomi (as well as Lyle Lovett) on backup vocals.
In 1998, The Judds appeared in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, singing Wynonna's single "Woman To Woman".
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother for a New Year's Eve concert in Phoenix. The following year, the duo recorded four new tracks for a bonus disc issued with Wynonna's album New Day Dawning, and undertook a multi-city tour. The results were issued as the album Reunion Live. A 2004 single, "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" was recorded with Naomi; however, the single was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd" instead of "The Judds".
She Is His Only Need
The Judds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who never did dream
Of ever leaving southern Arizona
Or ever hearing wedding bells ring
He never had a lot of luck with the ladies
But he sure had a lot of good working skills
Never cared about climbing any ladder
He knew the way in a small cafe, found the will
He met Miss Bonnie
And a little bit of her was a little too much
A few movies and a few months latter
The feeling got strong enough
They didn? own a car
So it must have been love
That drove him uptown for a diamond
That? when he started goin?
[Chorus]
Over the line
Working overtime
To give her things just to hear her say she don? deserve them
But he loves her and he just kept going overboard
Over the limit to afford to give her things he knew she wanted
Cause without her where would he be?
See, it? not for him
She is his only need
Ring on her finger and one on the ladder
A new promotion every now and then
Bonnie worked until she couldn? tie her apron
Then stayed at home and had the first of two children
And my, how the time did fly
The babies grew up and moved away
Left 'em sitting on the front porch rocking
And Billy watching Bonnie? hair turn gray
And every once in a while you could see him get up
And he's head downtown
Cause he heard about something she wanted
And it just had to be found
Didn't matter how simple or how much
It was love
And, boy, ain't that love just something
When it? strong enough to keep a man going?
[Chorus]
Over the line
Working overtime
She is his only need
His only need
Overboard
Over the limit
Just for her
She is his only need
His only need
The Judds' song "She Is His Only Need" is a touching portrayal of a man's unending devotion to his wife. The singer, Billy, is a small-town loner who never thought he would find love or leave Arizona. He was always unlucky with women until he met Miss Bonnie. Initially, the feeling was mild, but with time it grew stronger. He did not own a car but went uptown to buy a diamond for her. From that moment on, he started working overtime, over the line and overboard to give her things that she deserved. He knew without her, he had nothing.
The lyrics show how Billy loves his wife above everything else. When they got married, Bonnie worked until she had their children. As the children grew up and moved away, Bonnie's hair turned grey, but Billy's love did not waver. To this day, he still gets up and heads downtown when he hears that she wants something. It was never about the cost, but to show her that he loved her more than anything else.
This song is a touching and heartwarming tribute to love and devotion. It portrays the message that love perseveres through all trials and tribulations, and it is unconditional. Billy's love for Bonnie is consistent through their life, and nothing can shake it. It is an excellent example of a healthy and long-lasting marriage.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy was a small town loner
Billy was a solitary person who lived in a small town.
Who never did dream
He never had any aspirations.
Of ever leaving southern Arizona
He never planned on moving away from Arizona.
Or ever hearing wedding bells ring
He never considered getting married.
He never had a lot of luck with the ladies
He never seemed to attract women.
But he sure had a lot of good working skills
He had plenty of valuable job-related abilities.
Never cared about climbing any ladder
He wasn't concerned with advancing in his career.
He knew the way in a small cafe, found the will
He was content with his job at a local cafe and found fulfillment there.
He met Miss Bonnie
He encountered a woman named Bonnie.
And a little bit of her was a little too much
He quickly became overwhelmed with his affection for her.
A few movies and a few months latter
After going on a few dates, a few months had passed.
The feeling got strong enough
His feelings towards her became quite powerful.
They didn? own a car
They didn't have a vehicle.
So it must have been love
Their relationship was built on love.
That drove him uptown for a diamond
He went to the city to buy her an engagement ring.
That? when he started goin?
That's when he started going out of his way for her.
[Chorus] Over the line Working overtime To give her things just to hear her say she don? deserve them But he loves her and he just kept going overboard Over the limit to afford to give her things he knew she wanted Cause without her where would he be? See, it? not for him She is his only need
He works hard and goes to great lengths to give her what she wants, even when she doesn't think she deserves it. He does it because he loves her and doesn't want to lose her, as she is the most important thing in his life.
Ring on her finger and one on the ladder
She is married and has a successful career.
A new promotion every now and then
She gets promoted often.
Bonnie worked until she couldn? tie her apron
She worked very hard until she couldn't work anymore.
Then stayed at home and had the first of two children
After leaving work, she had their first child.
And my, how the time did fly
Time passed quickly.
The babies grew up and moved away
Their children grew up and left home.
Left 'em sitting on the front porch rocking
They were left sitting on their front porch, reminiscing.
And Billy watching Bonnie? hair turn gray
Billy watched as Bonnie aged and her hair turned gray.
And every once in a while you could see him get up
Occasionally, he would get up from his chair.
And he's head downtown
He would go to the city center.
Cause he heard about something she wanted
He had heard of something Bonnie wanted and went to find it.
And it just had to be found
He made sure to find it for her.
Didn't matter how simple or how much
It didn't matter the cost or simplicity of what she wanted, he would get it for her.
It was love
His actions are fueled by his deep love for her.
And, boy, ain't that love just something
Love is an incredibly powerful force.
When it? strong enough to keep a man going?
When love is strong enough, it can motivate a person to do anything.
[Chorus] Over the line Working overtime She is his only need His only need Overboard Over the limit Just for her She is his only need His only need
His love for Bonnie is the only thing he truly needs. He goes above and beyond for her, doing whatever it takes to make her happy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LOGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kit Kat
Stunning. She is perfect and makes it seem effortless. Wynonna is my all time favorite female singer.
Wynonna Judd
Thanks for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honor you by giving my personal information❤️❤️
Rochelle Navarro
My favorite of Wynonna’s 😍 such a great storyteller.
Wynonna Judd
Thanks for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honor you by giving my personal information❤️❤️
Jeff Hale
Wynona's not the story teller here. It's the songwriter, Dave Loggins.
Mitchell Marner
Most romantic song EVER...
Keyth Danielsen
She knocked it out of the park with this song. It was hard to go up starting from such a high place, but she did. This is still her absolute best imho.
Wynonna Judd
Thanks for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honor you by giving my personal information❤️❤️
susie26
She’s a great singer!.❤️
Wynonna Judd
Thanks for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you never stop being a fan, I would like to honor you by giving my personal information❤️❤️