That's What Friends Are For (Barbara Mandrell song)

Last updated
"That's What Friends Are For"
Barbara Mandrell--That's What Friends Are For.jpg
Single by Barbara Mandrell
from the album This Is Barbara Mandrell
B-side "The Beginning of the End"
ReleasedApril 12, 1976 (1976-04-12)
RecordedFebruary 1976 (1976-02)
Genre
Length2:39
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Robert Shaw Parsons
  • Ed Penney
Producer(s) Tom Collins
Barbara Mandrell singles chronology
"Standing Room Only"
(1975)
"That's What Friends Are For"
(1976)
"Love Is Thin Ice"
(1976)

"That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Robert Shaw Parsons and Ed Penney, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in April 1976 as the second single from the album This Is Barbara Mandrell . It reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart.

Contents

Background and recording

Barbara Mandrell had her first charting singles with Columbia Records, but after switching to ABC/Dot she developed a musical identity that brought greater success. [3] She started working with producer Tom Collins, who crafted a Countrypolitan sound that helped her music reach larger audiences. [2] One of the singles she cut during this period was 1976's "That's What Friends Are For", which was written by Robert Shaw Parsons and Ed Penney. Collins produced Mandrell's third ABC/Dot session in February 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee. On the same session, Mandrell cut two additional tracks, including the future single "Love Is Thin Ice". [4]

Release and chart performance

"That's What Friends Are For" was released as a single on ABC/Dot Records on April 12, 1976. It was backed on the B-side by the song "The Beginning of the End". The track was issued by the label as a seven inch vinyl single. [4] The single spent 13 weeks on America's Billboard country songs chart, peaking at number 16 by August 1976. It was Mandrell's second single issued by the label. [5] In Canada, the single climbed to the number 27 position on the RPM country chart. [6] The song was released on Mandrell's first album for the label, which was titled This Is Barbara Mandrell . The album was released in 1976. [7]

Track listing

7" vinyl single [4]

Charts

Chart performance for "That's What Friends Are For"
Chart (1976)Peak
position
Canada Country Songs ( RPM ) [6] 27
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [8] 16

Related Research Articles

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

Barbara Ann Mandrell is an 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">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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool</span> 1981 single by Barbara Mandrell

"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 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.

<i>This Is Barbara Mandrell</i> 1976 album by Barbara Mandrell

This Is Barbara Mandrell is the fourth solo studio album by American country music singer Barbara Mandrell, released in May 1976.

<i>The Best of Barbara Mandrell</i> 1979 greatest hits album by Barbara Mandrell

The Best of Barbara Mandrell is a compilation album by American country music singer, Barbara Mandrell, released in January 1979.

<i>Moments</i> (Barbara Mandrell album) 1986 studio album by Barbara Mandrell

Moments is the 17th solo studio album released by American country artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was released in August 1986 on MCA Records and was produced by Tom Collins. It would be her final studio release for the MCA label before signing with EMI America Records in 1987.

<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 ten of the American country songs chart.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight My Baby's Coming Home</span> 1971 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Tonight My Baby's Coming Home" is a song written by Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in November 1971 as the first 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 ten 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Midnight Oil (song)</span> 1973 single by Barbara Mandrell

"The Midnight Oil" is a song written by Joe Allen, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in July 1973 as the fifth single and title track from the album The Midnight Oil. The song received positive critical reception and became one of Mandrell's first top ten hits on the North American country music charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time I Almost Made It (song)</span> 1974 single by Barbara Mandrell

"This Time I Almost Made It" is a song written by Billy Sherrill, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in May 1974 as the first single and title track from the album This Time I Almost Made It. It was one of Mandrell's early single releases in her career and among her first to reached the top 20 on the American country songs chart.

<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.

"Love Is Thin Ice" is a song written by Geoffrey Morgan, recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was released in July 1976 as the third single from the album This Is Barbara Mandrell. It reached the top 40 of the American country songs chart.

<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">Hold Me (Barbara Mandrell song)</span> 1977 single by Barbara Mandrell

"Hold Me" is a song written by Glenn Ray, and recorded by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. It was recorded and released in August 1977 as the second single from the album Lovers, Friends and Strangers. It reached the top 20 of the North American country songs charts.

<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.

<i>Im Not Easy</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

I'm Not Easy is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in November 1976 via United Artists Records and contained 11 tracks. The disc featured many ballads, along with some uptempo tracks. Of its tracks, two singles were spawned: "Never Did Like Whiskey" and the title track. Both reached top 20 positions on the American country charts between 1976 and 1977. The disc itself charted on the American country albums chart and received mainly positive reviews from music publications.

References

  1. ""That's What Friends Are For": Barbara Mandrell: Song information". AllMusic . Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  2. 1 2 Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. London: Penguin Books. p. 438. ISBN   1-85828-534-8.
  3. Ankeny, Jason. "Barbara Mandrell Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Mandrell, Barbara (April 12, 1976). ""That's What Friends Are For"/"The Beginning of the End" (7" vinyl single sleeve insert)". ABC Records//Dot Records. DOA-17623.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  6. 1 2 "Search results for "Barbara Mandrell" under Country Songs". RPM . 17 July 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  7. Mandrell, Barbara (1976). "This Is Barbara Mandrell (LP Album Information)". ABC Records/Dot Records. 2045.
  8. "Barbara Mandrell Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2022.