"Dear God" | ||||
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Single by Patsy Cline | ||||
B-side | "He Will Do for You" | |||
Released | December 13, 1958 | |||
Recorded | April 22, 1956 | |||
Studio | Music City Recording, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:30 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Songwriter(s) | V.F. Stewart | |||
Producer(s) | Owen Bradley | |||
Patsy Cline singles chronology | ||||
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"Dear God" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by V.F. Stewart. 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.
Patsy Cline rose to commercial success with 1957's "Walkin' After Midnight". The disc became a major country hit and a crossover pop hit. However, she could duplicate the success during the remainder of the decade. [3] Although signed to Four Star Records, the label leased songs to the larger Decca label so they could be issued as singles. [4] Cline's producer, Owen Bradley, had recently become head of the A&R department at Decca and wanted to sign Cline to their roster. However, he received rejection from vice president of sales, Sidney Goldberg. Because Cline could not duplicate her success, he did not believe Cline could have further hits. In an effort to market Cline differently, her label decided to release the spiritual disc titled "Dear God". It was originally composed by V.F. Stewart. She had first recorded the song on April 22, 1956 at the Decca Recording Studio alongside Bradley. [2]
"Dear God" was released as a single on December 13, 1958 via Decca Records. It was issued as a seven inch vinyl single and was backed on its B-side by another spiritual song titled "He Will Do for You". [5] The single would prove unsuccessful, as would future releases Cline had during that decade. [2] Although it is unclear why the single was released, biographer Ellis Nassour noted that record executives may have chosen the song's December release because it was around the Christmas season. Nassour described the label's decision to release the song as a "blunder" and also stated that "it's amazing Patsy Cline had any career at all", in regards to her lack of success. [6] Cub Koda discussed the song when reviewing Cline's compilation album, Crazy Dreams: The Classic Early Years and referred to the track by the title "I Go to Church on Sunday". Koda commented that the song would have been "better-suited" to Kitty Wells due to its "sawing fiddles and paint-by-numbers backing." [1]
7" vinyl single [5]
Patsy Cline was an American singer from the state of Virginia. She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to 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" is a song written by Alan Block and Don 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. However, the first released recording was by Lynn Howard with The Accents, released in August 1956.
"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 record "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.
"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.
The discography of American music artist Patsy Cline consists of three studio albums, 24 singles, six extended plays, one compilation album, six other charted songs and one album appearance. Cline's discography contains material released during her lifetime. Her first recordings took place under the direction of Four Star Records. Cline's first single, "A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye," was released in July 1955. Four Star issued 17 singles during Cline's four years recording with them. However, only "Walkin' After Midnight" (1957) became a major hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard country songs chart and number 12 on the Billboard pop music chart.
"Stop the World (and Let Me Off)" 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.
"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.
"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" is a song recorded by American country music singer Patsy Cline, composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as a single on Coral Records in 1956.
"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" 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" 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 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" 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" 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)" 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.
"Cry Not for Me" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Don Hecht and Jack Moon. It was released as a single in early 1959 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.
"Gotta Lot of Rhythm in My Soul" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by W.S. Stevenson and Barbara Vaughan. It was released as a single in 1959 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.
"Crazy Dreams" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Charles Beam, Charles L. Jiles and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as a single in 1960 and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was the last single released on Cline's contract with Four Star Records, which terminated in 1960.