Coal Miner's Daughter (song)

Last updated
"Coal Miner's Daughter"
Loretta Lynn--Coal Miner's Daughter--Single.jpg
Single by Loretta Lynn
from the album Coal Miner's Daughter
B-side "The Man of the House"
ReleasedOctober 5, 1970 (1970-10-05)
RecordedOctober 1, 1969
Studio Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Genre
Length3:00
Label Decca
Songwriter(s) Loretta Lynn
Producer(s) Owen Bradley
Loretta Lynn singles chronology
"You Wanna Give Me a Lift"
(1970)		"Coal Miner's Daughter"
(1970)		"I Wanna Be Free"
(1971)

"Coal Miner's Daughter" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. Considered Lynn's signature song, it was originally released as a single in 1970 and became a number one hit on the Billboard country chart. It was later released on an album of the same name. Produced by Owen Bradley, the song tells the story of Lynn's coal-mining father in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression. Lynn, who was born in 1932 and experienced the Great Depression as a child, also describes her childhood and the circumstances she was raised in during those years. [2]

Contents

"Coal Miner's Daughter" would receive positive reviews from journalists and music critics alike following its release. It would become one of Lynn's signature recordings in her career. It would also be considered one of music's most significant recordings, according to polls from Time and the Recording Industry Association of America. The song has been covered several times since its original release, notably being a collaboration from Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert.

Background and composition

The music and lyrics of "Coal Miner's Daughter" had been written entirely by Loretta Lynn. She composed the song in 1969, a year before its official recording. While writing the lyrics, Lynn composed the melody at the same time. The melody had originally been written in a bluegrass style, which matched the style of music she was raised singing. According to Lynn, she had trouble rhyming some of the song's words. "I had to match up words like “holler” and “daughter” and “water.” But after it was done, the rhymes weren't so important," Lynn wrote in her 1976 autobiography. [3] [4] Lynn spent several hours writing the remainder of the song. When it was completed, a total of nine verses were composed. [4]

The song recounts the day-to-day life of her childhood growing up in rural poverty in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. [5] [4] In the lyrics, Lynn describes herself as the daughter of a coal mining father. She recounted how her father also worked as a farmer growing corn. Along with her father, Lynn also wrote about her mother and how she worked tirelessly on household duties such as cleaning and washing. [6] Subsequent verses recall Lynn's other childhood experiences and hardships, such as her mother reading the Bible by a coal-oil light or having bloody fingers from constantly doing the laundry using a wash board. [7] Decades later, Lynn revealed that the song only hinted at other childhood experiences. "The song doesn’t tell half of it. If I told the whole story nobody would believe it now anyway." [6]

Recording

Lynn recorded the song upon the encouragement of her longtime record producer, Owen Bradley. However, Bradley disliked that Lynn's original written version contained ten verses. Fearing the song would be as long as Marty Robbins' hit "El Paso," Bradley told her: "There’s already been an ‘El Paso,’ there didn't need to be another one." [6] Before recording, she removed extra verses of the song related to further mentions of her father and life in rural Kentucky. Lynn also removed lines related to her mother killing a pig during an annual "hog-killing day." [4] In total, four verses were removed from the original composition. Lynn later recalled removing the verses: " I cried the whole time. And I have lost those verses, I do not remember them. I wish I did." [6] "Coal Miner's Daughter" was officially recorded on October 1, 1969, at Bradley's own Bradley's Barn recording studio located in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. The background vocalists for the session were the Jordanaires. Also recorded during the same session were the tracks "Wings Upon Your Horns" and "You Wanna Give Me a Lift." Both recordings would later be hits for Lynn as well. [8]

Owen Bradley allowed Lynn to record the song using her planned arrangement. The song opened featuring a steel guitar and was followed by a fiddle. She then sang the song to the band and it was cut live in the studio during the session. Additionally, her husband, Doolittle Lynn, suggested the incorporation of a banjo into the song, which was eventually added as well. According to Lynn, only a couple of takes of the song were recorded before compiling them together. "I never did many takes of anything. The more I sing, the worse I get. I like to make it fresh," she reflected. [6] Unlike live performances, the recorded version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" did not include guitar-playing by Lynn herself. Only included was her live vocal. Instead guitarists from The Nashville A-Team were chosen for the record. [8]

Critical reception

"Coal Miner's Daughter" has received a positive reception from critics since its original 1970 release. In 1971, Billboard magazine praised the song for retaining "true country flavor." [9] Cary O'Dell of the Library of Congress called it Lynn's "most autobiographical song" and commented on its importance to the country music genre. "It is perhaps one of country music’s most autobiographical songs ever, a major achievement for a genre which often specializes in memoirs set to music, Parton’s 'Coat of Many Colors' being a prime example," he wrote. [4] Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann found the song to be a symbol of Lynn's pride in being a working class person. "She stuck out her chin to defend poor folks culture...Like the lady, herself, Loretta's songs shoot from the hip. Her pride is in her working class background," they wrote in 2003. [10]

Music critics of Rolling Stone also gave "Coal Miner's Daughter" a positive response and named it one of Lynn's "20 Essential Songs." "With astonishing economy, the pride of Butcher Holler details her sparse but happy childhood and the things they did keep shoes on their feet (specifically, sell a hog). She ends the tune in a place of greater means, but undeniably proud of where she’s been," they commented. [11] In 2024, the publication ranked the song at #14 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking. [12]

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called the tune "without a doubt one of the most well-known hits of all time." [13] Wide Open Country's Bobbie Jean Sawyer ranked it number one on her list of "The 15 Best Of All Time" songs by Lynn. "In just three minutes, the song sums up Lynn's incredible life and the career that made her a country icon," Sawyer wrote. [14]

Release and chart performance

"Coal Miner's Daughter" was released as a single to radio one year after its recording. It was issued to via Decca Records as a seven inch vinyl single on October 5, 1970. Included on the B-side was the track, "The Man of the House." [15] The song became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart later that year, spending one week at the position. It was Lynn's fourth number one single in her career and one of 16 chart-topping hits. [16] The single also peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first entry on that chart. Over the decade, Lynn would reach the Hot 100 three more times. [17] "Coal Miner's Daughter" also charted on the RPM Country Singles chart in Canada, reaching the number one position as well. [18] In 1971, the single was included on Lynn's studio album, also titled Coal Miner's Daughter. The song was the opening track on the album. [1]

Legacy

"Coal Miner's Daughter" has not only been considered one of Loretta Lynn's most significant songs, but has also been considered one of music's most significant recordings. In 1998, Loretta's 1970 version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. [19] In 2001, the Recording Industry Association of America named it as one of their Songs of the Century. [20] [21] The song has also been ranked by other music agencies, including Rolling Stone , who ranked it on their list of the "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time" at No. 42, and their list of the "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" at No. 255. [22] [23] Country Music Television ranked the song on a similar list titled the "100 Greatest Songs of Country Music." [24] [25] In 2009, "Coal Miner's Daughter" was added by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry. Cary O'Dell spoke of the song's significance in an essay about the song: "With this Decca release, Lynn not only delivered an instant classic, she also forever changed her image. Though already highly successful, up until this time, Lynn was most famous for her tough girl songs, musical warnings to lazy, unappreciative, floundering husbands and the women they cheat with...“Coal Miner’s Daughter” introduced audiences to a new, softer and more reflective Lynn." [4]

The song has also been considered significant by other publications. This included Time magazine, which named it among its "100 All-Time Songs". The magazine called it the song to have a "purely Appalachian" style that "makes vivid musical pictures of Daddy’s job at the Van Lear Coal Mines, Mommy’s bleeding fingers at the washboard, the kids barefoot in summer and shod from a mail-order catalog in winter." [26] "Coal Miner's Daughter" also became the title of Lynn's 2010 tribute album that was recorded by other artists. It was officially named, Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. Artists featured included The White Stripes, Reba McEntire and Paramore. [27]

"Coal Miner's Daughter" would also serve as the inspiration and title for future works by Lynn. In 1976, her first autobiography was also titled Coal Miner's Daughter and helped introduce Lynn's music to newer generations. This was followed in 1980 by the biopic of the same name starring Sissy Spacek. [4] The film became a critical and commercial success and received seven nominations at the 53rd Academy Awards including for the Best Picture, with Spacek winning Best Actress portraying Lynn. [5]

Track listing

7" vinyl single [15]

Charts

Chart (1970)Peak
position
Canada Country Songs ( RPM ) [18] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [28] 83
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [29] 1

Cover versions

Several versions of "Coal Miner's Daughters" have been notably recorded by other artists and entertainers. The song was parodied as Cow Minder's Daughter by Laraine Newman, who portrayed the fictional east Indian singer "Govinda Lynn." The song was performed in a skit on season five of Saturday Night Live. [30] In 1971, RCA Records country singer Norma Jean recorded a version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" for her self-titled studio album. [31] Irish country performer Mary Duff recorded the track for her 2004 studio release, Just a Country Girl. [32] Country artist Stella Parton (sister of Dolly Parton) recorded a cover version of the song for her 2010 studio album, American Coal. The song appeared as the tenth track on the album. [33] Lynn re-recorded several times, notably in 2010 for a tribute album and in 2018 for her studio release called Wouldn't It Be Great. [34]

Sissy Spacek version

"Coal Miner's Daughter"
Sissy Spacek--Coal Miner's Daughter--single.jpg
Single by Sissy Spacek
from the album Coal Miner's Daughter
B-side "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl"
ReleasedApril 1980 (1980-04)
RecordedDecember 1979
Studio Bradley's Barn
Genre Country [35]
Length3:00
Label MCA Records
Songwriter(s) Loretta Lynn
Producer(s) Owen Bradley
Sissy Spacek singles chronology
"Coal Miner's Daughter"
(1980)		"Back in Baby's Arms"
(1980)

In 1980, a version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" was recorded by American actress and singer Sissy Spacek for Lynn's 1980 biopic of the same name. Spacek portrayed Lynn in the film. Spacek learned to sing like Lynn by following her on tour for a year in the late 1970s. She also tried to imitate Lynn's speech patterns and singing style by visiting Lynn at her house. Together, the pair also performed on the Grand Ole Opry before the film's release. In addition, Spacek studied with Owen Bradley (Lynn's record producer) in order to further develop her character. [36] Spacek recorded her version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" in December 1979. The recording session was produced by Bradley as well and was held at Bradley's Barn, the same studio where Lynn recorded the song ten years prior. Additional songs Spacek performed for the soundtrack were cut during the same session, such as "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)," "Fist City" and "There He Goes." [37]

In addition to Spacek recording her own version for the film, it was also released as a single. Spacek's version was released following the release of the official soundtrack. It was issued as a single by MCA Records in April 1980 and was issued as a 7" vinyl record. Included on the B-side was Spacek's version of Lynn's original 1960 hit, "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl." [38] [16] Spacek's version became a top-40 hit in the United States, reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1980. [16] Her version of the song was reviewed positively by Cub Koda of Allmusic, who also reviewed additional songs on the original soundtrack. "Sissy Spacek did a more than credible job of singing like Loretta Lynn in the movie, and this soundtrack proves it. From the "early" sides to the hits at the end, Spacek sings her heart out and actually varies her singing approach to sound more assured and professional on the "later" ones. [35]

Track listing

7" vinyl single

  • "Coal Miner's Daughter" – 3:00
  • "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" – 2:17

Weekly charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Canada Country Songs ( RPM ) [39] 7
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [40] 24

Loretta Lynn collaboration

  1. 1 2 Owens, Thom. "Coal Miner's Daughter: Loretta Lynn: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. ↑ Marc Myers (31 March 2020). "She's a Coal Miner's Daughter". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Lynn, Loretta; Vescey, George (1976). Coal Miner's Daughter. Vintage Books. ISBN   0307741230.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 O'Dell, Cary. ""Coal Miner's Daughter"—Loretta Lynn (1970) Added to the National Registry: 2009" (PDF). Library of Congress . Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Loretta Lynn: Biography & History". Allmusic . Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Zollo, Paul (25 February 2020). "Behind the Song: "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn". American Songwriter. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Montgomery, Encyclopedia of Appalachia, 1004.
  8. 1 2 Lynn, Loretta (1970). "Coal Miner's Daughter (Liner Notes and Album Information; CD Version)". MCA Records .
  9. ↑ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard . Vol. 83, no. 3. January 16, 1971. p. 38.
  10. ↑ Bufwack, Mary A.; Oermann, Robert K. (2003). Finding Her Voice: The History of Women in Country Music. Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University Press. p. 263. ISBN   0-8265-1432-4.
  11. ↑ Betts, Stephen L.; Freeman, Jon; Reed, James; Rodman, Sarah (14 April 2020). "Loretta Lynn: 20 Essential Songs". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . May 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ Dukes, Billy (26 June 2012). "Top 100 Country Songs: "Coal Miner's Daughter"". Taste of Country. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  14. ↑ Sawyer, Bobbie Jean. "The 15 Best Loretta Lynn Songs". Wide Open Country. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  15. 1 2 "Loretta Lynn -- "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1970, Vinyl Single)". Discogs . 5 October 1970. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  16. 1 2 3 Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 209.
  17. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1980). Joel Whitburn Presents the Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Seventies. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   0898200768.
  18. 1 2 "Country Singles". RPM. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  19. ↑ "GRAMMY HALL OF FAME AWARD". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  20. ↑ "The Recording Industry Association of America Top 365 Songs of the Twentieth Century as announced by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)". The Association. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  21. ↑ "RIAA Top 365 Songs of the 20th Century". Spotify . Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  22. ↑ "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . June 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  24. ↑ ""Stand by Your Man" Tops CMT's 100 Greatest Songs". Country Music Television . Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  25. ↑ "CMT: 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music (2003) Playlist CMT: 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music (2003)". Spotify . Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  26. ↑ Corliss, Richard (21 October 2011). "'Coal Miner's Daughter': All-Time 100 Songs". Time . Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  27. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  28. ↑ "Loretta Lynn Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  29. 1 2 "Loretta Lynn Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  30. ↑ "SNL Transcripts: Buck Henry: 05/24/80". Snltranscripts.jt.org. 1980-05-24. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  31. ↑ "Norma Jean: Norma Jean: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  32. ↑ "Just a Country Girl: Mary Duff: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  33. ↑ "American Coal: Stella Parton: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  34. ↑ Deming, Mark. "Wouldn't It Be Great: Loretta Lynn". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  35. 1 2 Koda, Cub. "Coal Miner's Daughter: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  36. ↑ Nixon, Rob. "Behind the Camera: Coal Miner's Daughter". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  37. ↑ Spacek, Sissy; DeAngelo, Beverly (1980). "Coal Miner's Daughter (Liner Notes and Album Information)". MCA Records .
  38. ↑ "Sissy Spacek -- "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1980, Single, Vinyl)". Discogs . 1980. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  39. ↑ "Search results for "Sissy Spacek" under COUNTRY SINGLES". RPM . 17 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  40. ↑ "Sissy Spacek Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  41. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn: Loretta Lynn: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  42. 1 2 3 Dunham, Nancy (20 October 2010). "Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow Lend Their Voices". Taste of Country. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  43. ↑ Lynn, Loretta (November 9, 2010). "Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn (Album Liner Notes and Information)". Columbia Records .
  44. ↑ Gleason, Holly (January 1, 2011). "Loretta Lynn and Friends: "Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn"". Lonestar Music Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  45. ↑ "Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn". Music and Musicians. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  46. ↑ Watson, Aryl (9 November 2010). "Review: 'Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn'". Cover Me Songs. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  47. 1 2 Evans Price, Deborah. "Loretta Lynn Honored by Kid Rock, Paramore on Tribute Album". Billboard . Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  48. ↑ ""Coal Miner's Daughter" (with Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert) chart history". Billboard . Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  49. ↑ "Deaton Flanigen". Deaton Flanigen. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  50. ↑ "Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert at the 2010 CMA's". Rolling Stone . 12 November 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  51. ↑ "Still Woman Enough: Loretta Lynn". Allmusic . Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  52. 1 2 Leimkuehler, Matthew. "Loretta Lynn enlists Reba, Carrie Underwood for new studio album 'Still Woman Enough'". The Tennessean . Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  53. 1 2 3 Freeman, Jon (4 January 2021). "Loretta Lynn Recruits Margo Price, Tanya Tucker for New Album 'Still Woman Enough'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  54. 1 2 ""Coal Miner's Daughter (Recitation)" -- Single by Loretta Lynn". Spotify . Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  55. ↑ "Loretta Lynn announces new album 'Still Woman Enough'". Lab.fm. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  56. ↑ Hollabaugh, Lorie (4 January 2021). "Loretta Lynn To Celebrate Women Of Country On Upcoming New Album, 'Still Woman Enough'". Music Row. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  57. ↑ "WATCH: Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter Recitation"". The Bluegrass Situation. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
"Coal Miner's Daughter"
Loretta Lynn--Coal Miner's Daughter--2010.jpg
Single by Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert
from the album Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn
ReleasedOctober 4, 2010 (2010-10-04)
Genre Contemporary Country [41]
Length3:11
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Loretta Lynn
Producer(s)
Loretta Lynn singles chronology
"Portland, Oregon"
(2004)		"Coal Miner's Daughter"
(2010)		"Everything It Takes"
(2016)
Sheryl Crow singles chronology
"Sign Your Name"
(2010)		"Coal Miner's Daughter"
(2010)		"Easy"
(2010)
Loretta Lynn singles
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s–
2010s
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