"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" | ||||
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Single by Patsy Cline | ||||
from the album Patsy Cline | ||||
B-side | "A Stranger in My Arms" | |||
Released | August 12, 1957 | |||
Recorded | April 25, 1957 | |||
Studio | Decca Records Studio, New York City | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:12 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Paul Cohen | |||
Patsy Cline singles chronology | ||||
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"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.
Patsy Cline signed with Four Star Records in 1954 and released a variety of singles for the label until the early 1960s. She recorded different selections of material, such as traditional country, traditional pop and Rockabilly music. Yet only one single, "Walkin' After Midnight" (1957), became a major hit. [2] Its crossover success prompted Cline's record company to select more pop material for her to record. Among the songs chosen was "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray," which was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson (the latter was a pen name for Four Star executive Bill McCall). Unlike previous sessions, Cline was produced by Paul Cohen and was recorded at the Decca Records Studio in New York City. The session was held on April 25, 1957, where Cline was backed by the Anita Kerr Singers. At the session, she recorded six tracks including "Don't Ever Leave Me Again," "Fingerprints" and "Try Again." [3]
"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" was released as a single on August 12, 1957 via Decca Records. It was backed by the B-side, "A Stranger in My Arms." [4] It was Cline's fourth single release with the Decca label, which Four Star leased. [5] The song was also included on Cline's self-titled debut album, which was also issued in 1957 through Decca. [6] Shortly after the single's release, Cline promoted the track by performing on the nationally syndicated television program, Ozark Jubilee. A full-page advertisement was also included in Billboard magazine the same month which read, "The 'Walkin' After Midnight' Gal has 2 New Smash Songs!" Despite promotion, the single was not received well by disc jockeys and the record-buying public. [7]
Despite not having commercial success, "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" received a positive critical response. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine spoke of the song in his review of Cline's compilation, Country Great: "There may not be any huge hits that jump out at the casual listener, but discerning fans will realize that any album containing 'That Wonderful Someone,' 'Too Many Secrets,' 'Then You'll Know,' and 'Three Cigarettes (In an Ashtray)' is essential listening." [8] In 2000, Erlewine named the song again as an "album pick" when reviewing another compilation of Cline's early Four Star material. [9]
In 1987, "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" was notably covered by Canadian singer k.d. lang for her studio album, Angel with a Lariat. Mark Deming of AllMusic described lang's version as a "weepy closer" to her album. [10]
7" vinyl single [4]
Patsy Cline was an American singer. 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.
Angel with a Lariat is the second album by k.d. lang and the Reclines, released in 1987. This was the first release outside of Canada.
"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.
The Patsy Cline Story is a double compilation album consisting of American country music singer Patsy Cline's best-known songs between 1961 and 1963. The album was released on June 10, 1963, three months following Cline's death.
Patsy Cline is a studio album by American country music singer, Patsy Cline, released on August 5, 1957. This was the debut album by Cline and would be one of three studio albums Cline would record during her lifetime.
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.
Patsy Cline's Golden Hits is a 1962 compilation album that consisted of material recorded by country music singer Patsy Cline.
Patsy Cline is an EP released by American country music singer, Patsy Cline on August 5, 1957. It was Cline's first EP released through Decca Records, as her previous was released under Coral Records, a Decca subsidiary.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.