That's the Way Love Goes (Connie Smith album)

Last updated
That's the Way Love Goes
Connie Smith-That's the Way Love Goes.jpg
Studio album by
Connie Smith
ReleasedMarch 1974
RecordedJanuary 22 – October 31, 1973
StudioColumbia Studio B
Genre Country [1]
Label Columbia
Producer Ray Baker
Connie Smith chronology
God Is Abundant
(1973)		That's the Way Love Goes
(1974)		 Connie Smith Now
(1974)
Singles from That's the Way Love Goes
  1. "Ain't Love a Good Thing"
    Released: September 1973
  2. "Dallas"
    Released: February 1974

That's the Way Love Goes is the twenty-second solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1974 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The album included both original material and covers of songs first recorded by other music artists. Two singles were released from the album. "Ain't Love a Good Thing" reached the top ten of the American country songs chart and became her nineteenth top ten single in her career.

Contents

Background

Connie Smith had 18 top ten country chart singles between 1964 and 1973 at the RCA Victor label. She signed with Columbia Records in 1973 where she continued to have commercial success, but with less frequency. [2] [3] At Columbia, Smith made two studio albums with producer George Richey. However, their professional endeavors ended in creative differences and Smith sought out Ray Baker to record her next Columbia project titled That's the Way Love Goes. [4] At the time of the album's making, Smith was pregnant with her first daughter and she was not able to record a full-length project. Instead, the label brought forward three songs from studio sessions Smith had cut several months earlier. [5]

Recording and content

That's the Way Love Goes was recorded at Columbia Studio B, which was located in Nashville, Tennessee. Ray Baker produced a majority of the album's sessions, with Richey serving as a producer on the three-previously cut songs. Smith entered the studio to record the project on September 19, 1973. Only one song, "Be All Right in Arkansas", was used for the album. She also went in on October 30 and October 31, 1973 to finish the album. All songs recorded during the latter two sessions were used on the project. [6] Columbia pulled "Ain't Love a Good Thing" (produced by George Richey) from her first session with the label on January 22, 1973. They also took "The Wonders You Perform" from a session on May 15, 1973. [7] "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" was taken from a June 1973 session and was first released on her 1973 album, God Is Abundant . [8] Baker and Smith chose the album's material together. According to Baker himself, the demonstration version of the song would be played for the musicians at the recording session and three songs would be recorded over three hours. [5]

The project consisted of 11 tracks in total. [1] Among the album's new material was "My Uncle Abel", which biographer Barry Mazor described as "Cajun-influenced" and as a "family saga song". [5] "Ain't Love a Good Thing" was also a new recording, but had not yet been released although it had been recorded on a previous session. "Dallas" was another new track and was written by Leona Williams. According to Mazor, Williams sang the song in concert with then-husband Merle Haggard before Smith cut the song herself. [5] "Be All Right in Arkansas" was another new recording. [9]

Several songs on the album were cover versions of songs first cut by other artists. [5] Among the album's covers was "The Wonders You Perform", which was a top ten single by Tammy Wynette. [3] According to the song's writer (Jerry Chesnut), Elvis Presley had intended to record the song based on Smith's version cut for That's the Way Love Goes. However, Presley never got around to recording the track before his 1977 death. [5] Smith also recorded a solo version of the George Jones and Tammy Wynette duet, "We're Gonna Hold On". The original had been a number one country single. [3] The album's title track was first a number one single for Johnny Rodriguez before Smith cut the song. The song's writer (Sanger D. Shafer) altered the lyrics so it could be song from a female's perspective, according to Barry Mazor. Smith also chose to record a cover of the pop single for the album, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree". [5]

Release, chart performance and singles

That's the Way Love Goes was released by Columbia Records in March 1974. It was the twenty fourth studio album released in Smith's career and her third with the Columbia label. The album was distributed as a vinyl LP. Six songs were featured on "side A" and five songs were featured on "side B". [9] The album entered the American Billboard Country LP's chart on March 30, 1974. It spent eight weeks on the chart, peaking at number 41 on April 27, 1974. It was Smith's first album to chart outside the Billboard top 40 in her career. [10] Two singles were included on the album. Its first was "Ain't Love a Good Thing", which was issued by Columbia in September 1973. [11] The song became Smith's nineteenth top ten single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, peaking at the number ten position in January 1974. [12] It also reached the number 12 position on Canada's RPM Country chart in 1974. [13] "Dallas" was the second single included on the album and was first released in February 1974. [14] The single peaked at number 35 on the Billboard country songs chart in May 1974. [12]

Track listing

Side one [9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's the Way Love Goes"
2:45
2."Dallas" Leona Williams 1:55
3."Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree"
2:45
4."Be All Right in Arkansas"
  • Billy Burns
  • Jerry House
2:27
5."Thanks a Lot for Trying, Anyway" Jim Glaser 2:43
6."The Baptism of Jesse Taylor"
2:30
Side two [9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ain't Love a Good Thing"Frazier2:40
2."Teddy Bear Song"
2:54
3."My Uncle Abel" Billy Edd Wheeler 2:29
4."The Wonders You Perform" Jerry Chesnut 3:50
5."We're Gonna Hold On"
3:03

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of That's the Way Love Goes [9] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled The Latest Shade of Blue. [15]

Chart performance

Chart (1974)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [16] 41

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
North AmericaMarch 1974VinylColumbia Records [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Smith</span> American country music artist (born 1941)

Connie Smith is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity has been noted between her vocal style and the stylings of country vocalist Patsy Cline. Other performers have cited Smith as influence on their own singing styles, which has been reflected in quotes and interviews over the years.

<i>I Love Charley Brown</i> 1968 studio album by Connie Smith

I Love Charley Brown is the tenth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in April 1968 by RCA Victor. The album reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart. It was described as a collection of pop-inspired country songs. Included were four cuts written by Smith's longtime songwriting collaborator, Dallas Frazier. Among his cuts was one of the album's three singles, "Run Away Little Tears". Along with Frazier's cut, the two additional singles included reached the top ten of the American country songs chart. The album was met with favorable reviews from critics.

<i>Sunshine and Rain</i> 1968 studio album by Connie Smith

Sunshine and Rain is the eleventh studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in October 1968 by RCA Victor. Sunshine and Rain featured an assortment of both new material and covers of songs by other country artists. The album reached the top 40 of the American country albums chart and received a favorable review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<i>Aint We Havin Us a Good Time</i> 1972 studio album by Connie Smith

Ain't We Havin' Us a Good Time is the eighteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in April 1972 by RCA Victor. The album contained ten tracks which were considered to have a "thicker seventies" sound, according to one biographer. Included on the album was Smith's single, "Just for What I Am". It became a top five single on the North American country songs chart while the album itself reached the American country LP's top 25. Ain't We Havin' Us a Good Time received a favorable review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<i>If It Aint Love and Other Great Dallas Frazier Songs</i> 1972 studio album by Connie Smith

"If It Ain't Love" and Other Great Dallas Frazier Songs is nineteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in July 1972 by RCA Victor. The album is a collection of songs composed by songwriter Dallas Frazier. Three of these songs were duets between Smith and Frazier himself. The album's title track was spawned as a single in 1972 and reached the top ten of the American country chart. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country LP's chart and it received a positive review from Billboard magazine.

<i>Love Is the Look Youre Looking For</i> 1973 compilation album by Connie Smith

Love Is the Look You're Looking for is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in February 1973 by RCA Victor. It was Smith's third compilation released by RCA Victor and mostly included previously-recorded material. The album was named for the title track, which became a top ten single on the North American country singles charts. The album itself would chart on the American country LP's chart in 1973.

<i>Dream Painter</i> 1973 compilation album by Connie Smith

Dream Painter is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, issued in July 1973 by RCA Victor. The album was released following Smith's departure from RCA Victor and contained previously-released material. Two new recordings were also featured, including the title track. Released as a single, the title track would reach the top 30 of American country songs chart. The album itself would chart the American country LP's chart in 1973.

<i>Connie Smith Now</i> 1974 compilation album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith Now is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in July 1974. The album was one of several compilations released after Smith departed RCA Victor. The album's material was previously released, including the singles, "Louisiana Man" and "I'm Sorry If My Love Got in Your Way". The album charted on the American country LP's chart and received a review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<i>A Lady Named Smith</i> 1973 studio album by Connie Smith

A Lady Named Smith is the twentieth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in May 1973 by Columbia Records, her first album for the label. The production and style featured a string instrumentation to help market Smith in the pop field. Included were a mix of new material and covers of previously-recorded songs by other artists. The album's only single was the original tune, "You've Got Me ", which reached the American country songs chart in 1973. A Lady Named Smith would also chart on the American country albums chart in 1973.

<i>God Is Abundant</i> 1973 studio album by Connie Smith

God Is Abundant is the twenty-first solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in November 1973 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The project was a collection of gospel recordings, chosen by Smith herself. Several of the songs included on the project were written by other country artists including Larry Gatlin, Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton. The album reached the top 20 of the American country LP's chart following its release.

<i>I Never Knew</i> (What That Song Meant Before) 1974 studio album by Connie Smith

I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before) is the twenty-third solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in August 1974 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The album was a mix of original material and covers of songs by other artists. The project was described as a set of traditional songs. Its title track was a single that reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart. The album itself charted the American country LP's chart following its release. The project was met with a favorable review from Billboard magazine.

<i>I Got a Lot of Hurtin Done Today / Ive Got My Baby on My Mind</i> 1975 studio album by Connie Smith

I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today / I've Got My Baby on My Mind is the twenty-fourth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in January 1975 and contained 11 tracks. It was also considered to be one of her "most commercially-successful" discs of the decade, according to biographer Barry Mazor. Three singles were included on the project. Both "I've Got My Baby on My Mind" and her cover of "Why Don't You Love Me" reached the top 15 of the American country songs chart. "I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today" would chart in the top 30. The album itself reached the American country LP's chart in early 1975. Billboard gave the album a positive review following its release.

<i>The Song We Fell in Love To</i> 1976 studio album by Connie Smith

The Song We Fell in Love To is the twenty-seventh solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1976 on Columbia Records. The album contained ten tracks of material crafted in a country pop style that featured overdubbed vocal harmonies by Smith herself. Two singles were included on the project: the title track and a cover of The Everly Brothers's "(Till) I Kissed You". The latter single became Smith's first top ten American single in several years. The album itself peaked in the top 40 of the American Country LP's chart in 1976.

<i>I Dont Wanna Talk It Over Anymore</i> 1976 studio album by Connie Smith

I Don't Wanna Talk It Over Anymore is the twenty-eight solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in October 1976 and contained ten tracks. The project's name was derived from the title track, which was one of three singles included. Its other single releases included a cover The Everly Brothers's "So Sad " and an original tune called "The Latest Shade of Blue". The title track was the album's most successful single, placing in the top 20 of the American country songs chart. The album received a positive response from Billboard magazine following its release. It was also Smith's final studio project released with the Columbia label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Smith singles discography</span>

The singles discography of Connie Smith, an American country artist, consists of 48 singles, one music video and one additional charting song. After signing with RCA Victor Records in 1964, Smith released her debut single in August entitled "Once a Day". The song topped the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Singles chart by November and held the position for eight weeks, to date being the longest running song at number one by a female country artist. The single's success launched Smith into stardom, making Smith one of the decade's most successful female artists. The follow-up single "Then and Only Then" reached #4 on the country singles chart, while its flip side went to #25 on the same chart. All of Smith's singles released between 1965 and 1968 reached the top 10 on the Billboard country songs chart, including "If I Talk to Him", "Ain't Had No Lovin'", and "Cincinnati, Ohio". By 1969 Smith felt highly pressured from her career and cut back on promoting singles. Smith's chart success slightly declined because of this, with songs like "Ribbon of Darkness" (1969) and "Louisiana Man" (1970) only reaching the top 20. Other singles continued to peak within the top 10 including "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" (1970) and "Just One Time" (1971).

"Ain't Love a Good Thing" is a single by American country music artist Connie Smith. Released in September 1973, the song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song was issued onto Smith's 1974 studio album entitled That's the Way Love Goes. The single became Smith's first major hit and first top ten single under Columbia Records. Additionally, "Ain't Love a Good Thing" reached #12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

"You've Got Me (Right Where You Want Me)" is a song originally recorded by American country music singer Connie Smith. It was composed by Smith herself, along with George Richey. The song was Smith's debut single for Columbia Records, upon its release in 1973. The same year it was issued on her first album with Columbia titled A Lady Named Smith.

"Dream Painter" is a song composed by Dallas Frazier and Sanger D. Shafer. It was originally recorded by American country music singer Connie Smith. The song was Smith's final single for RCA Victor Records, upon its release in 1973. The same year it was issued on among her final album releases for RCA.

"Dallas" is a song written by Leona Williams that was originally recorded by American country music singer Connie Smith. The song was released as a single on Columbia Records in 1974 and became a top 40 single on the American country music chart. The same year it was issued on her second studio album with Columbia titled That's the Way Love Goes.

"Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)" is a song written by H.B. Hall that has been recorded multiple times. It was originally recorded and released as a single by American country and Latin singer Johnny Rodriguez. His version of the song became a top ten in North America. In 1980, it was released as a single by American country artist Janie Fricke, whose version reached the top 40 in North America.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "That's the Way Love Goes: Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  2. ↑ Bush, John. "Connie Smith: Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  4. ↑ Mazor 2021, p. 13.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mazor 2021, p. 41.
  6. ↑ Mazor 2021, pp. 55–56.
  7. ↑ Mazor 2021, p. 54.
  8. ↑ Mazor 2021, p. 40.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Connie (March 1974). "That's the Way Love Goes (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". Columbia Records . KC-32581.
  10. ↑ "Connie Smith chart history (Country Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Smith, Connie (September 1973). ""Ain't Love a Good Thing"/"I Still Feel the Same About You" (7" vinyl single)". Columbia Records . 4-45954.
  12. 1 2 "Connie Smith chart history (Country Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Search results for "Connie Smith"". RPM . Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  14. ↑ Smith, Connie (February 1974). ""Dallas"/"That's the Way Love Goes" (7" vinyl single)". Columbia Records . 4-46008.
  15. ↑ Mazor 2021, pp. 54–56.
  16. ↑ "Connie Smith Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.

Books

  • Mazor, Barry (November 5, 2021). The Latest Shade of Blue: The Columbia Recordings 1973 – 1976 (Box Set Biography). Bear Family Records. BCD-17609.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.