I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool

Last updated
"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool"
I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool - Barbara Mandrell.jpg
Single by Barbara Mandrell
from the album Barbara Mandrell Live
B-side "A Woman's Got a Right (To Change His Mind)"
ReleasedApril 16, 1981
Recordedc. March 1981
Nashville, Tennessee
Genre Country pop
Length3:40
Label MCA
Songwriter(s) Kye Fleming
Dennis Morgan
Producer(s) Tom Collins
Barbara Mandrell singles chronology
"Love Is Fair"
(1981)
"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool"
(1981)
"Wish You Were Here"
(1981)

"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" is a song written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in April 1981 as the lead single from the album Barbara Mandrell Live . It featured an uncredited guest appearance by country artist George Jones. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in July 1981 and peaked at #14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The song was nominated for 1981 Single of the Year by both the CMA and ACM Awards organizations.

Contents

Background and context

"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" was a song produced by Tom Collins. Mandrell recorded the song as a "live" performance; but in actuality, the track was recorded in the studio with an audience applause track inserted over various sections of the song to fit into the context of the forthcoming live album. The song also featured an uncredited guest appearance on part of the chorus by country vocalist George Jones. [1] The song was released during a period of rapid growth in the popularity of country music related to a dance-focused form of the genre called neocountry that was popularized, in part, by the movie Urban Cowboy . In the song, the singer explains her relationship with country music as being authentic and part of long tradition, and not a part of some fad or, worse, something that's merely "cool."

I was country when country wasn't cool
I was country from my hat down to my boots
I still act and look the same
What you see ain't nothing new
I was country when country wasn't cool

The song was the first track released from Mandrell's 1981 "Live" album. Unlike the studio single version, the album version of the song was recorded during a live concert at the Roy Acuff Theater of Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Applause from the audience can be heard in the beginning and end of the song, as well as when Jones makes his guest performance and when Mandrell refers to Jones in the lyrics in the early part of the song. [2]

Commercial performance

"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" was released as Mandrell's second single of the year in mid 1981. The song became a major hit shortly after its release, reaching number one on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs chart on July 4 of that year. George Jones was never credited as a featured vocalist on the recording charts at the time of its release. It has since been considered to be one of Mandrell's signature recordings during her career. The single helped her 1981 live album, Barbara Mandrell Live certify gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and also helped her win the Country Music Association's "Entertainer of the Year" award in 1981. [3]

Charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Canadian RPM Country Tracks14
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [4] 1
US Cash Box Top 100 [5] 95

Parodies

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Mandrell</span> American country music singer

Barbara Ann Mandrell is a retired American country music singer and musician. She is also credited as an actress and author. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was considered among country's most successful music artists. She had six number one singles and 25 top ten singles reach the Billboard country songs chart. She also hosted her own prime–time television show in the early 1980s that featured music, dance numbers and comedy sketches. Mandrell also played a variety of musical instruments during her career that helped earn her a series of major–industry awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right</span> Song

"(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" is a song written by Stax Records songwriters Homer Banks, Carl Hampton, and Raymond Jackson. Originally written for The Emotions, it has been performed by many singers, most notably by Luther Ingram, whose original recording topped the R&B chart for four weeks and rose to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 16 song for 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Mandrell singles discography</span>

The singles discography of American country music artist Barbara Mandrell contains 54 singles as a lead artists, seven singles as a collaborative artist, six promotional singles and one music video. In 1966, Mandrell's debut single was released titled "Queen for a Day". She then signed a recording contract and in 1969 had her first charting release with a cover of "I've Been Loving You Too Long ". In the early 1970s, Mandrell had a series of top 20 charting singles on America's Billboard country songs chart. This included "Playin' Around with Love" (1970), "Treat Him Right" (1971) and "Show Me" (1972). She collaborated with David Houston on several singles as well. Their most successful was 1970's "After Closing Time", which became Mandrell's first top ten hit on the Billboard country chart. During this period she also reached the top ten with "Tonight My Baby's Coming Home" (1971) and "The Midnight Oil" (1973). In 1975, Mandrell signed to ABC Records and had a top five country hit with "Standing Room Only".

<i>Live</i> (Barbara Mandrell album) 1981 live album by Barbara Mandrell

Live is a live album by the American country music singer Barbara Mandrell, released in August 1981.

<i>Meant for Each Other</i> 1984 studio album by Lee Greenwood and Barbara Mandrell

Meant for Each Other is a collaborative studio album by American country music artists Lee Greenwood and Barbara Mandrell. The album was released on August 6, 1984, by MCA Records and was produced by Tom Collins. It was the first and only collaboration effort between Greenwood and Mandrell.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Barbara Mandrell album) 1985 greatest hits album by Barbara Mandrell

Greatest Hits is the fourth compilation album by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was produced by Tom Collins and released on MCA Records in March 1985. The album was her first compilation for MCA Records.

<i>Get to the Heart</i> Album by Barbara Mandrell

Get to the Heart is the sixteenth solo studio album by American country artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was released in August 1985 on MCA Records and was produced by Tom Collins. It was Mandrell's first solo studio release since 1984's Clean Cut, and spawned three singles between 1985 and 1986.

"Darlin'" is a song written in 1970 by English sax player Oscar Stewart Blandamer. It was first released under the title "Darling" by the British country band Poacher in 1978. It was later a chart hit for Frankie Miller and David Rogers. The track was subsequently recorded by numerous artists including Tom Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Smokie and Johnny Reid.

"Wish You Were Here" is a song written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in August 1981 as the second and final single from her live album Barbara Mandrell Live. It peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

"I Wish I Could I Fall in Love Today" is a song written by Harlan Howard, and recorded by American country music artist Ray Price. It was released in 1960 as a single only. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Married, But Not to Each Other</span>

"Married But Not to Each Other" is a song originally recorded by American R&B artist Denise LaSalle. It was composed by LaSalle, along with Francis Miller. LaSalle's original version became a major hit on the American R&B music chart in 1976, reaching the top 20 that year. It was one of several singles composed by LaSalle that became a charting single. It was later covered in 1977 by American country artist Barbara Mandrell, whose version reached the top five of the American country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crossword Puzzle (Barbara Mandrell song)</span> 1984 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Crossword Puzzle" is a song written by Steve Dean and Frank J. Myers, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in September 1984 as the third single from the album Clean Cut. It reached the top twenty of the American country songs chart.

<i>Acoustic Attitude</i> 1994 studio album (re-recording) by Barbara Mandrell

Acoustic Attitude is the twenty-fourth solo studio album by American country artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released on April 21, 1994, on Direct Records and contained 12 tracks. It was Mandrell's twenty-sixth studio recording released in her career and the first to be issued on the Direct label. Acoustic Attitude was a collection of re-recordings of Mandrell's most popular singles from her career. The album was originally sold on television and later released to digital retailers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Playin' Around with Love</span> 1970 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Treat Him Right" is a song written by Billy Sherrill, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in April 1970 as the second single from the album Treat Him Right. It was of one Mandrell's first single releases in her career and was her first to reach the top 20 on the American country songs chart.

"Holdin' On (To the Love I Got)" is a song written by Billy Sherrill, Carmol Taylor and Tammy Wynette. It was originally recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette before being recorded again by Barbara Mandrell. Mandrell's version was released in September 1972 as the third from her album The Midnight Oil. It was one of Mandrell's early single releases in her career and among her first to reach the top 40 on the American country songs chart.

"Give a Little, Take a Little" is a song written by Michael Kossler and Steve Pippin, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in March 1973 as the fourth single from the album The Midnight Oil. It was one of Mandrell's early single releases in her career and among her first to reach the top 40 on the American country songs chart.

"Wonder When My Baby's Coming Home" is a song written by Kermit Goell and Arthur Kent. It was first recorded on May 21, 1942 by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra. Charles Brown and his Band recorded a version as "I Wonder When My Baby's Coming Home" in March 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing Room Only (Barbara Mandrell song)</span> 1975 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Standing Room Only" is a song written by Susan Manchester and Charles Silver, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in December 1975 as the first single from the album This Is Barbara Mandrell. It was one of her first top ten singles in her career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midnight Angel (song)</span> 1976 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Midnight Angel" is a song written by Bill Anthony and Bob Morrison, recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in November 1976 as the first single and title track from the album Midnight Angel. It reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight (Barbara Mandrell song)</span> 1978 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Tonight" is a song written by Don Cook and Rafe Van Hoy, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in May 1978 as the second single from the album Love's Ups and Downs. It reached the top ten of the American country songs chart.

References

  1. "Country Music Discographies - Barbara Mandrell". Country Discography. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  2. "Barbara Mandrell > Live". Allmusic . Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  3. Coyne, Kevin John (16 June 2008). "100 Greatest Women - #14: Barbara Mandrell". Country Universe. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  4. "Barbara Mandrell Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  5. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 1, 1981". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2021.