What I've Got in Mind

Last updated
"What I've Got in Mind"
Billie Jo Spears--What I've Got in Mind.jpg
Single by Billie Jo Spears
from the album What I've Got in Mind
B-side "Every Time Two Fools Collide"
ReleasedFebruary 1976 (1976-02)
RecordedJanuary 1976 (1976-01)
Studio Jack Clement Recording (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre
Length2:39
Label United Artists
Songwriter(s) Kenny O'Dell
Producer(s) Larry Butler
Billie Jo Spears singles chronology
"Silver Wings and Golden Rings"
(1975)
"What I've Got in Mind"
(1976)
"Misty Blue"
(1976)

"What I've Got in Mind" is a song written by Kenny O'Dell that was originally recorded by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. It was released as a single in 1976 and became a top single in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was one of top ten singles Spears had during the decade. It was issued on Spears's studio album of the same name in 1976.

Contents

Background, recording and reception

Billie Jo Spears achieved commercial success after a several-year hiatus with 1975's chart-topping, "Blanket on the Ground". The song set forth a string of top ten and top 20 singles for Spears during the decade (all of which were released by United Artists Records). "What I've Got in Mind" was among these follow-up recordings. [2] The song was one of several singles that had a similar themes of sexual desire, which were first heard in "Blanket on the Ground". [3] "What I've Got in Mind" was highlighted by author Kurt Wolff of Country Music: The Rough Guide, who described it as a "sexy come on song". [4]

Written by Kenny O'Dell, [5] the track was originally composed as a rhumba. [6] The song was recorded in January 1976 at the Jack Clement Recording Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The session was produced by Larry Butler. [5]

Release and chart performance

"What I've Got in Mind" was released as a single by United Artists Records in February 1976. It was backed on the B-side by the song, "Every Time Two Fools Collide". It was distributed as a seven-inch vinyl single. [5] It debuted on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 1976. It spent a total of 16 weeks charting, reaching the number five position in May 1976. "What I've Got in Mind" became Spears's third top ten single on the Billboard country chart. [7] It reached a similar top ten position on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, peaking at number three in 1976. [8] It also spent 13 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at the number four position in 1976. [9] It was later included on Spears's third United Artists studio album, also titled What I've Got in Mind . [10]

Track listing

7" vinyl single [5]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "What I've Got in Mind"
Chart (1976)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [11] 5
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [8] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [12] 6
UK Singles (OCC) [13] 4
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Jo Spears</span> American country music singer (1938–2011)

Billie Jo Spears was an American country music singer. She was known for a series of singles whose characters often represented women in assertive positions. Among these recordings was a song about sexual harassment, and a song about rekindling sexual desire ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misty Blue</span> 1967 single by Eddy Arnold

"Misty Blue" is a song written by Bob Montgomery that has been recorded and made commercially successful by several music artists. Although Montgomery wrote the song for a different artist in mind, it was brought first to the attention of Wilma Burgess in 1966. It was recorded by Eddy Arnold the following year, both versions were top 5 Country Hits. A decade later, blues artist Dorothy Moore released the highest-charting version of the song and it reached the top ten in several different radio formats. Following Moore's revival of the track, numerous artists re-covered the tune, including country artist Billie Jo Spears. Spears's version would also go on to become a successful single release. Numerous other artists and musicians of different genres have recorded their own versions of "Misty Blue". The song is now considered both a country music and blues standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Jo Spears discography</span>

The discography of American country artist, Billie Jo Spears, contains 24 studio albums, 14 compilation albums, one video album, 53 singles, one charting song and has appeared on one album. Spears's first singles were issued at United Artists Records before switching to Capitol Records. The 1969 single, "Mr. Walker, It's All Over", reached the top ten on the American and Canadian country songs charts. An album of the same name followed that reached the top 30 on the American country albums chart. Her remaining years with Capitol Records failed to prove any further commercial success. The label issued four more studio albums by Spears through 1971, along with four more top 40 singles.

<i>Billie Jo</i> 1975 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

Billie Jo is a studio album by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. It was released in October 1975 via United Artists Records and contained ten tracks. A mixture of new recordings and cover tunes were featured on the disc. Among them were the singles, "Stay Away from the Apple Tree" and "Silver Wings and Golden Rings". Both singles reached the top 20 of the North American country charts in 1975. The album itself reached the top 50 of the American country albums chart. It was the eighth studio album of Spears's career and her second with the United Artists label.

<i>I Will Survive</i> (Billie Jo Spears album) 1979 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

I Will Survive is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in May 1979 via United Artists Records and contained ten tracks. It was the fifteenth studio album of her career. The album project was contained new recordings, along with several cover tunes. Among these covers was Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". Spears's version was released as the album's lead single, reaching the top 50 of the UK pop chart, the top 30 of the American country chart and the top ten of the Canadian country chart. It was followed by two more singles that year. The album was given positive reviews by critics.

"Sing Me an Old Fashioned Song" is a song originally recorded by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. It was composed by Larry Henley and Johnny Slate. It was first issued as an album track on Spears's 1976 studio album What I've Got Mind. It was then spawned as the third single from the album that year. It was distributed outside of North America, where it reached charting positions in several countries.

<i>What Ive Got in Mind</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

What I've Got in Mind is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in June 1976 via United Artists Records and was the ninth studio album of her career. The disc contained a total of ten tracks, mixing both original recordings with cover tunes. Among its tracks were three singles: the title track, "Misty Blue" and "Sing Me an Old Fashioned Song". Both the title song and "Misty Blue" reached the top five of the North American country charts. "Sing Me an Old Fashioned Song" was released overseas where it made chart positions internationally. The album itself reached the top ten on the American country albums chart and the top 50 of the UK Albums chart. Country Music People gave the disc a positive review.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Did Like Whiskey</span> 1976 single by Billie Jo Spears

"Never Did Like Whiskey" is a song written by Kenny O'Dell that was originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released as a single in 1976 and reached the top 20 of the American country chart and the top 30 of the Canadian country chart. The song was included on Spears's 1976 studio album titled I'm Not Easy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Not Easy</span> 1977 single by Billie Jo Spears

"I'm Not Easy" is a song first recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. Written by David Chamberlain and Jim Vest, it was released as a single in 1977 and became top 20 charting country single in the United States. The song also served as the title track to Spears's 1976 studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Want Me (song)</span> 1977 single by Billie Jo Spears

"If You Want Me" is a song written by Ben Peters that was originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released as a single in 1977 and reached the top ten of the American country chart, among other positions. It was the lead single of Spears's 1977 album of the same name. It was the final top ten single of Spears's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Much Is Not Enough (Billie Jo Spears song)</span> 1977 single by Billie Jo Spears

"If You Want Me" is a song written by Kenny O'Dell that was originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. Released as a single by United Artists Records, the song reached the top 20 of the North American country charts in 1977. It was released on Spears's 1977 studio album titled If You Want Me.

<i>If You Want Me</i> (Billie Jo Spears album) 1977 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

If You Want Me is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. In the United Kingdom, the album was titled as Every Time I Sing a Love Song It was released on United Artists Records in June 1977 and contained ten tracks. Most of the album's material were new recordings, along with some cover tunes. It was the twelfth studio album of her career. Two singles were included on the disc: the title track and "Too Much Is Not Enough". Both reached the top ten and top 20 of the North American country charts in 1977. The album itself also charted on the American country albums survey. It received mixed reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Hearts Club (Billie Jo Spears song)</span> 1977 single by Billie Jo Spears

"Lonely Hearts Club" is a song originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was composed by Gene Simmons, Roger Bowling and Larry Butler. It was released as a single via United Artists Records in 1977, reaching the top 20 of the American country chart and the top ten of the Canadian country chart. It served as the title track of Spears's 1978 studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I've Got to Go</span> 1978 single by Billie Jo Spears

"I've Got to Go" is a song originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was written by Roger Bowling and Larry Butler. Released as a single in 1978 by United Artists Records, the song reached the top 20 of the American country chart and the top 30 of the Canadian country chart. It was spawned from Spears's 1978 studio album titled Lonely Hearts Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">'57 Chevrolet (song)</span> 1978 single by Billie Jo Spears

"'57 Chevrolet" is a song written by Roger Bowling that was originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released as a single by United Artists Records in 1978 and reached the top 20 of the American and Canadian country songs charts. It was also included on Spears's 1978 studio album titled Lonely Hearts Club. It was reviewed positively by critics following its release.

<i>Lonely Hearts Club</i> (Billie Jo Spears album) 1978 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

Lonely Hearts Club is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in February 1978 via United Artists Records and contained 11 tracks. The album featured mostly new recordings, which included three singles: the title track, "I've Got to Go" "'57 Chevrolet". All three recordings reached the top 20 of the American country chart, while also reaching top positions in Canada. The album itself reached the American country albums chart. Lonely Hearts Club was met with positive reviews from critics.

"Livin' Our Love Together" is a song written by Ben Peters that was originally recorded by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. It was released as a single by United Artists Records in 1979 and reached the top 40 of the North American country charts. It was included on Spears's 1979 studio album I Will Survive. The track was given favorable reviews following its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainy Days and Stormy Nights</span> 1979 single by Billie Jo Spears

"Rainy Days and Stormy Nights" is a song written by Charlie Craig that was originally recorded by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. The track was one of three singles spawned from her 1979 studio album titled I Will Survive. The song reached the top 30 of the American country chart and the top 20 of the Canadian country chart.

<i>Standing Tall</i> (Billie Jo Spears album) 1980 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

Standing Tall is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in February 1980 via United Artists Records and contained ten tracks. The collection contained cover songs along with new material. Of its new recordings were two singles: the title track and "Natural Attraction". The title tune was a top 20 single on the American country chart and a top ten single on the Canadian country chart. The album reached the top 70 of the American country albums chart and received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Country Girl</i> (1981 Billie Jo Spears album) 1981 studio album by Billie Jo Spears

Country Girl is a studio album by American country artist Billie Jo Spears. It was released in 1981 via Warwick Records and contained 20 songs. The majority of the album's material were new recordings, along with three previously released songs. Most of the tracks were covers of previously cut material. It was later certified gold in the United Kingdom, where it was primarily sold. It would reach the top 20 of the UK Albums Chart.

References

  1. 1 2 ""What I've Got in Mind": Billie Jo Spears: Track Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. Huey, Steve. "Billie Jo Spears Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  3. "Billie Jo Spears: Country singer who scored her biggest hit with 'Blanket on the Ground'". The Independent . December 16, 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. London: Penguin Books. p. 454. ISBN   1-85828-534-8.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Spears, Billie Jo (February 1976). ""What I've Got in Mind"/"Every Time Two Fools Collide" (Single Information)". United Artists Records . UA-XW764-Y.
  6. Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. p. 1905. ISBN   978-0857125958.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. various.
  8. 1 2 "Search results for "Billie Jo Spears"". RPM . Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  9. ""What I've Got in Mind": Full official chart history". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  10. Spears, Billie Jo (June 1976). "What I've Got in Mind (Disc Information)". United Artists Records . UA-608.
  11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What I've Got in Mind". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. "Billie Jo Spears -- What I've Got in Mind". Dutch Single Top 100 . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  13. "Billie Jo Spears: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  14. "Billie Jo Spears Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2023.