A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye

Last updated
"A Church a Courtroom, Then Goodbye"
Patsy Cline--A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye.jpg
Single by Patsy Cline
from the album Songs by Patsy Cline
B-side "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round"
ReleasedJuly 20, 1955 (1955-07-20)
RecordedJune 1, 1955
Studio Bradley Studio
Genre
Length3:01
Label Coral
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Owen Bradley
Patsy Cline singles chronology
"A Church a Courtroom, Then Goodbye"
(1955)
"Hidin' Out"
(1955)

"A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as Cline's debut single in July 1955 via Coral Records.

Contents

Background

Patsy Cline began performing in a country music band led by Bill Peer. With his assistance, she signed her first recording contract in 1954 with Four Star Records. [2] Cline began recording in Nashville, Tennessee alongside producer Owen Bradley. Bradley was chosen to produce her because she was believed to have a "pop sound". "A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" was recorded on July 1, 1955 at the Bradley Studio. The track had been composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson (a pen name for Bill McCall). It was Cline's third recording session in her career. She cut several additional sides during the same session, including "Turn the Cards Slowly," "Hidin' Out," and "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round." [3]

Release and reception

"A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" was released as a single on July 20, 1955 via Coral Records. [4] It was backed on the B-side by "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round." [5] The song was later included on Cline's debut extended play titled Songs by Patsy Cline. The EP also included two additional tracks. [4] A month prior to its release, Cline promoted the track in Nashville, where she appeared alongside Ernest Tubb on the Grand Ole Opry. She also appeared at Nashville's Centennial Park and performed for a crowd estimated at fifteen thousand. [6] Despite promotional appearances, the single did not become a hit. [7]

The song has since been reviewed by critics and journalists. In reviewing Cline's 1993 compilation album, AllMusic described "A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" as "full-blooded honky-tonk, with steel guitar or fiddle front and center." [8] In a review of another compilation, James Christopher Monger named it among Cline's "greatest moments" as an artist, alongside her future hits. [9]

Track listing

7" vinyl single [5]

Related Research Articles

Patsy Cline American country music singer

Patsy Cline was an American singer. She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music. Cline had several major hits during her eight-year recording career, including two number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart.

Walkin After Midnight 1957 single by Patsy Cline

"Walkin' After Midnight" is a song written by Alan Block and Donn Hecht and recorded by American country music artist Patsy Cline. The song was originally given to pop singer Kay Starr; however, her label rejected it. The song was left unused until Hecht rediscovered it when writing for Four Star Records. Originally Cline was not fond of "Walkin' After Midnight", but after making a compromise with her label she recorded it.

I Fall to Pieces 1961 single by Patsy Cline

"I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records, it topped the country charts, crossed over onto the pop charts and became among Cline's biggest hits. Cline was initially reluctant to recording "I Fall to Pieces" and believed its production lacked enough country instrumentation for her liking. Eventually, Cline recorded the song upon the encouragement of her producer.

"Sweet Dreams" or "Sweet Dreams " is a country ballad, which was written by Don Gibson. Gibson originally recorded the song in 1955; his version hit the top ten of Billboard's country chart, but was eclipsed by the success of a competing version by Faron Young. In 1960, after Gibson had established himself as a country music superstar, he released a new version as a single. This version also charted in the top ten on the country chart and also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number ninety-three. The song has become a country standard, with other notable versions by Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris.

<i>Honky Tonk Angels</i> 1993 studio album by Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette

Honky Tonk Angels is a collaborative studio album by Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. It was released on November 2, 1993, by Columbia Records. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 5, 1994, for sales of 500,000 copies.

"She's Got You" is a country song written by Hank Cochran and was first recorded and released as a single by Patsy Cline. Musically the song is an upbeat jazz-pop song with country overtones to support it.

So Wrong 1962 single by Patsy Cline

"So Wrong" is a song written by Carl Perkins, Danny Dill and Mel Tillis and popularized by country music artist Patsy Cline. The song was released as a single on Decca Records in 1962 by Patsy Cline.

<i>Today, Tomorrow, and Forever</i> (Patsy Cline album) 1985 compilation album by Patsy Cline

Today, Tomorrow, and Forever is an album released after Patsy Cline's death in 1963. Many albums were released following Cline's death, and this one was not the first.

<i>Songs by Patsy Cline</i> 1957 EP by Patsy Cline

Songs by Patsy Cline is an EP released by American country music singer, Patsy Cline on August 5, 1957. It was Cline's first released EP collection.

"Stop the World " is a song written and originally performed by Carl Belew. It was released as a single first by Belew in January 1958. It was later followed by competing versions by Patsy Cline and Johnnie & Jack. The latter duo's version became the first successful version of the song to be a hit. It was later covered a decade later by Waylon Jennings and then again by Susan Raye in 1974.

Hidin Out

"Hidin' Out" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as the second single in Cline's career and second issued on Coral Records. It originally appeared on the album, Songs by Patsy Cline.

I Love You, Honey

"I Love You, Honey" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as a single via Coral Records in 1956.

Stop, Look and Listen (Patsy Cline song)

"Stop, Look and Listen" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by George London and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as a single in 1956 via Decca Records. The song has since received a positive response from critics and music writers.

Today, Tomorrow and Forever (Patsy Cline song)

"Today, Tomorrow and Forever" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1957 via Decca Records and was composed by Don Reid. It was the follow-up release to Cline's major hit of 1957, "Walkin' After Midnight." However, "Today, Tomorrow and Forever" was not successful.

Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray

"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1957 via Decca Records. It was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. Released on the heels of Cline's first hit "Walkin' After Midnight," the song was not successful but received positive reviews from critics and journalists.

Then Youll Know

"Then You'll Know" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Bobby Lile and released as a single in 1957 via Decca Records. The song was the third single released from Cline's self-titled debut album. Although not a successful single, it was received positively by critics and writers.

Let the Teardrops Fall

"Let the Teardrops Fall" is a song composed by Charles Jiles that was originally recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1958 via Decca Records.

I Can See an Angel

"I Can See an Angel" is a song written by Kay Adelman that was first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1958 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The song was among several singles Cline released with the Decca label during the late 1950s which did not chart any major music publications.

If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)

"If I Could See the World " is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Sammy Masters, Richard Pope and Tex Satterwhite. It was released as a single in late 1958 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was among a handful of singles released on the Decca label that were unsuccessful for Cline following a major hit in 1957.

References

Footnotes

  1. ""A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye": Patsy Cline: Song information". Allmusic . Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. "Patsy Cline -- Crazy, Songs and Death". Biography . Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. Nassour 1993, pp. 3842.
  4. 1 2 Nassour 1993, pp. 38.
  5. 1 2 Cline, Patsy (July 20, 1955). ""A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" / "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round" (7" vinyl single)". Coral Records . 61464.
  6. Nassour 1993, pp. 39.
  7. "Patsy Cline - Country Music Hall of Fame". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  8. "Today, Tomorrow & Forever: Patsy Cline: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  9. Monger, James Christopher. "The Legends Collection: Patsy Cline: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 March 2021.

Books

  • Nassour, Ellis (1993). Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. ISBN   0-312-08870-1.