With Pen in Hand

Last updated
"With Pen in Hand"
Single by Johnny Darrell
from the album With Pen in Hand
B-side "Poetry of Love"
Released1968
Recorded1968
Genre Country
Length3:18
Label United Artists
Songwriter(s) Bobby Goldsboro
Producer(s) Bob Montgomery
Johnny Darrell singles chronology
"The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp"
(1967)		"With Pen in Hand"
(1968)		"I Ain't Buying"
(1968)

"With Pen in Hand" is a song written by Bobby Goldsboro and first released on his March 1968 album, Honey . [1] The song's lyrics address the subjects of divorce and losing custody of one's child, and are sung from the perspective of the parent who expects to be losing custody of their child, as they make a final plea to their spouse to reconcile before the divorce is finalized. [2] [3] "With Pen in Hand" has been a hit for multiple artists in the late 1960 and 1970s.

Contents

Johnny Darrell version

The first single release of "With Pen in Hand" was by Johnny Darrell on April 13, 1968. [4] Darrell's version reached No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, [5] No. 2 on Record World 's "Top C&W Singles", [6] No. 4 on the Cash Box Country Top 50, [7] No. 126 on Billboard 's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, [8] and No. 12 on Cash Box's "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the Cash Box Top 100. [9] He also released it on his August 1968 album also called With Pen in Hand.

Billy Vera version

In June 1968, Billy Vera released a version of the song, [10] which was his first solo single. [11] Vera's version spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 43, [12] while reaching No. 25 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, [13] No. 25 on the Cash Box Top 100, [14] No. 29 on Record World's "100 Top Pops", [15] No. 21 on Record World's "Top Non-Rock" chart, [16] No. 12 on Canada's RPM 100, [17] and No. 20 on Record World's "Juke Box Top 25". [18]

Vikki Carr version

"With Pen in Hand"
Single by Vikki Carr
from the album For Once in My Life
B-side "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Released1968 (UK) [19]
1969 (US)
Recorded1968
Genre Pop [20]
Length3:38 (UK)
3:55 (US)
Label Liberty
Songwriter(s) Bobby Goldsboro [21]
Producer(s) Dave Pell & Ron Bledsoe [22]

Vikki Carr, who has said: "I had to fight for 'With Pen in Hand', [23] had a 15 November 1968 UK single release with a cover of the song. Carr, herself in London at the time recording a TV show, promoted the single on British television and radio, [19] facilitating its charting at No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart. [24]

Also in November 1968, Carr played the Manhattan nightclub Persian Room, with her engagement being recorded as the live album For Once in My Life, [25] from which her performance of "With Pen In Hand" was issued as a single in February 1969. It spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 35, [26] becoming Carr's third and final Top 40 hit on that chart. It also reached No. 6 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, [27] and was ranked No. 5 on Billboard's year-end ranking of 1969's "Top Easy Listening Singles". [28]

In Canada, Carr's live version reached No. 38 on the RPM 100, [29] and No. 4 on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart. [30]

The B-side of both the UK and US single versions of "With Pen in Hand" featured Carr's version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", from the album It Must Be Him .

In 1970, Carr was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her live rendition of "With Pen in Hand". [31]

Chart performance

Chart (1969)Peak
position
Canada RPM 100 [29] 38
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary [30] 4
UK Singles Chart [24] 39
US Billboard Hot 100 [26] 35
US Billboard Easy Listening [32] 6
US Cash Box Top 100 [33] 42
US Record World 100 Top Pops [34] 34
US Record World Top Non-Rock [35] 7

Bobby Goldsboro version

Goldsboro first recorded the song February 26, 1968 and released the song on his March 1968 album, Honey , but he didn't release it as a single until August 1, 1972. [36] Goldsboro's version spent 5 weeks on the 1972 Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 94, [37] while reaching No. 28 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, [38] No. 87 on the Cash Box Top 100, [39] and No. 92 on Record World's "The Singles Chart". [40]

Other versions

In 1968, Jerry Vale released a version of the song as a single and on the album This Guy's In Love With You. [41] Vale's version reached No. 30 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart [42] and No. 23 on Record World's "Top Non-Rock" chart. [16]

Conway Twitty released the song on the album Next in Line in 1968. [43]

Aretha Franklin released the song on the album Let Me in Your Life in 1974. [44]

In 1977, Dorothy Moore released a version of the song as a single and on her eponymous album. [45] Moore's version reached No. 12 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, [46] [47] No. 101 on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, [48] No. 92 on Record World's "The Singles Chart", [49] and No. 11 on Record World's "The R&B Singles Chart", [50] No. 103 on Cash Box's "Looking Ahead" chart, [51] and No. 15 on "Cash Box Top 100 R&B". [52]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Child (song)</span> 1968 single by Diana Ross & the Supremes

"Love Child" is a 1968 song released by the Motown label for Diana Ross & the Supremes. The second single and title track from their album Love Child, it became the Supremes' 11th number-one single in the United States, where it sold 500,000 copies in its first week and 2 million copies by year's end.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Goldsboro</span> Singer-songwriter, guitarist, painter, and television producer (born 1941)

Robert Charles Goldsboro is an American pop and country singer and songwriter. He had a string of pop and country hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including his signature No. 1 hit "Honey", which sold over 1 million copies in the United States, and the UK top-10 single "Summer ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Sandman</span> 1954 song

"Mr. Sandman" is a popular song written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & his orchestra and later that year by The Chordettes and the Four Aces. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr. Sandman" to "bring me a dream" – the traditional association of the folkloric figure. The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song, as the original sheet music publication, which includes male and female versions of the lyrics, intended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since I Don't Have You</span> 1958 song by the Skyliners

"Since I Don't Have You" is a song written and composed by Jackie Taylor, James Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joseph Rock, Joe Verscharen, Lennie Martin, and Wally Lester. It was first a 1958 hit single for the doo-wop group the Skyliners on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music singer Ronnie Milsap had a hit with the song in 1991. American hard rock band Guns N' Roses also had some success in 1994 with their version of the song which reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey (Bobby Goldsboro song)</span> Song by Bobby Goldsboro

"Honey", also known as "Honey (I Miss You)", is a song written by Bobby Russell. He first produced it with former Kingston Trio member Bob Shane, who was the first to release the song. It was then given to American singer Bobby Goldsboro, who recorded it for his 1968 album of the same name, originally titled Pledge of Love. Goldsboro's version was a hit, reaching No. 1 in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Good Care of My Baby</span> 1961 song by Bobby Vee

"Take Good Care of My Baby" is a song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. The song was made famous by Bobby Vee, when it was released in 1961.

"Let's Get Together", also known as "Get Together" and "Everybody Get Together", is a song written in the mid-1960s by the American singer-songwriter Chet Powers, from the psychedelic rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service. A hit version by the Youngbloods, included on their 1967 debut album The Youngbloods, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Love Somebody (song)</span> 1967 single by Bee Gees

"To Love Somebody" is a song written by Barry and Robin Gibb. Produced by Robert Stigwood, it was the second single released by the Bee Gees from their international debut album, Bee Gees 1st, in 1967. The single reached No. 17 in the United States and No. 41 in the United Kingdom. The song's B-side was "Close Another Door". The single was reissued in 1980 on RSO Records with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" as its flipside. The song ranked at number 94 on NME magazine's "100 Best Tracks of the Sixties". It was a minor hit in the UK and France. It reached the top 20 in the US. It reached the top 10 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just One Look (song)</span> 1963 single by Doris Troy

"Just One Look" is a song co-written by American R&B singers Doris Troy and Gregory Carroll. The recording by Doris Troy was a hit in 1963. The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and Iain Matthews each achieved great success with the song. There have also been many other versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Girl (song)</span> 1968 single by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

"Young Girl" is a RIAA million-selling Gold-certified single that was written, composed, and produced by Jerry Fuller and performed by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap with instrumental backing by members of "The Wrecking Crew". It was released in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Composer</span> 1969 single by Diana Ross & the Supremes

"The Composer" is a 1969 song released for Diana Ross & the Supremes by the Motown label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watching Scotty Grow</span> 1970 single by Bobby Goldsboro

"Watching Scotty Grow" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Mac Davis and recorded by Bobby Goldsboro in 1970 on his album, We Gotta Start Lovin. Davis recorded his version on his 1971 album, I Believe in Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Revere & the Raiders discography</span>

Paul Revere & the Raiders are an American rock band from Boise, Idaho. Formed in 1958, the band released their first hit single three years later, "Like, Long Hair", which reached number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following a few minor charting singles, including a version of "Louie Louie", the band worked with producer Terry Melcher in updating their sound, combining fast-paced, guitar-and-vocal-dominated rock and roll with an intimidating R&B flavor. The result was a string of commercially successful singles, beginning with 1965's "Steppin' Out" and continuing with "Just Like Me", which reached number 11 on the Hot 100, as well as "Kicks", "Hungry", and "Good Thing", all of which peaked inside the top 10. In addition, the band's three 1966 studio albums—Just Like Us!, Midnight Ride, and The Spirit of '67—were each certified gold in the United States.

"Autumn of My Life" is a song written and sung by Bobby Goldsboro, which he released in 1968. The song spent 9 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 19, while reaching No. 2 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, No. 12 on Record World's "100 Top Pops", No. 1 on Record World's "Top Non-Rock" chart, No. 11 on Canada's RPM 100, No. 2 on RPM's Country Chart, and No. 18 on Australia's Go-Set National Top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)</span> 1960 single by The Everly Brothers

"So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" is a song written by Don Everly, which was released by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The song was later a country hit for multiple artists in the 1970s and 80s.

"I'm a Drifter" is a song written and sung by Bobby Goldsboro, which he released in 1969. The song spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 46, while reaching No. 14 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, No. 22 of Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, No. 44 on the Cash Box Top 100, No. 36 on Canada's RPM 100, and No. 9 on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart.

"Please Love Me Forever" is a song written by John Malone and Ollie Blanchard. The song was originally released by Tommy Edwards in 1958. Hit versions were later released by Cathy Jean and the Roommates in 1960 and Bobby Vinton in 1967.

"Just as Much as Ever" is a song written by Charles Singleton and Larry Coleman. The song was a hit single for Bob Beckham, Nat King Cole, and Bobby Vinton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Straight Life</span> 1968 single by Bobby Goldsboro

"The Straight Life" is a 1968 song written and originally recorded by Sonny Curtis. It was a top 40 hit for Bobby Goldsboro later that year.

"The Way It Used to Be" is a song recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, which was released on the album Engelbert and as a single in 1969. It is an English language adaptation of the Italian language song "Melodia", which was originally released by Isabella Iannetti in 1968.

References

  1. ↑ "Vinyl Album: Bobby Goldsboro - Honey (1968)".
  2. ↑ Randy Cordova, "12/13: 10 great Vikki Carr songs", The Arizona Republic , December 6, 2014. Accessed July 26, 2015
  3. ↑ C. Mackenzie, "The Gramophone", Volume 47, (1969)
  4. ↑ "Johnny Darrell - with Pen in Hand".
  5. ↑ "Hot Country Singles", Billboard , July 6, 1968. p. 36. Accessed December 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Top C&W Singles", Record World , June 29, 1968. p. 52. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  7. ↑ Cash Box Country Top 50, Cash Box , July 6, 1968. p. 36. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Bubbling Under the Hot 100", Billboard , May 25, 1968. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Looking Ahead", Cash Box , May 18, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  10. ↑ Billy Vera - With Pen in Hand, norwegiancharts.com. Accessed July 14, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Rhythm & Blues", Billboard , June 15, 1968. p. 28. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  12. ↑ Hot 100 - Billy Vera With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  13. ↑ Adult Contemporary - Billy Vera With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  14. ↑ Cash Box Top 100, Cash Box , July 27, 1968. p. 4. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  15. ↑ "100 Top Pops", Record World , July 27, 1968. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Record World's Top Non-Rock", Record World , July 20, 1968. p. 14. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  17. ↑ "The RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 9, No. 22–23 August 3, 1968. p. 5. Accessed December 3, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Juke Box Top 25", Record World , July 13, 1968. p. 16. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "From The Music Capitals of the World", Billboard , November 9, 1968. p. 62. Accessed December 3, 2015.
  20. ↑ Burke, Ken (January 1, 1998). "Vikki Carr". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 79–82.
  21. ↑ With Pen in Hand - By: Vikki Carr, MusicVF.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
  22. ↑ Vikki Carr - With Pen in Hand, norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  23. ↑ Grigware, Don. "BWW Interviews: Legendary Pop Singer Vikki Carr Talks About Her New Album Viva la Vida", Broadway World, October 15, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  24. 1 2 Vikki Carr - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  25. ↑ "For Once in My Life - Vikki Carr". AllMusic . Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  26. 1 2 Hot 100 - Vikki Carr With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  27. ↑ Adult Contemporary - Vikki Carr With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Top Records of 1969", Billboard , December 27, 1969. p. 17. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  29. 1 2 "The RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Vol 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969. p. 5. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  30. 1 2 "Adult", RPM Weekly, Vol 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  31. ↑ Diane Telgen, "Notable Hispanic American Women", VNR AG, (1999) p. 76
  32. ↑ "Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening", Billboard , July 5, 1969. p. 60. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  33. ↑ Cash Box Top 100, Cash Box , July 12, 1969. p. 4. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  34. ↑ "100 Top Pops", Record World , July 19, 1969. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Record World Top Non-Rock", Record World , July 12, 1969. p. 19. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  36. ↑ "You've come a long way Bobby.", Billboard , October 5, 1974. p. BG-20. Accessed December 2, 2015.
  37. ↑ Hot 100 - Bobby Goldsboro With Pen In Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  38. ↑ Adult Contemporary - Bobby Goldsboro With Pen In Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  39. ↑ Cash Box Top 100, Cash Box , October 14, 1972. p. 4. Accessed July 13, 2016.
  40. ↑ "The Singles Chart", Record World , October 14, 1972. p. 27. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  41. ↑ "This Guy's In Love With You - Jerry Vale". AllMusic . Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  42. ↑ Adult Contemporary - Jerry Vale With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Next In Line - Conway Twitty". AllMusic . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  44. ↑ Atlantic LP 7292, Aretha Franklin - Let Me in Your Life, 1974
  45. ↑ "Dorothy Moore - Dorothy Moore". AllMusic . Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  46. ↑ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Dorothy Moore With Pen in Hand Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Billboard Hot Soul Singles", Billboard , January 28, 1978. p. 96. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Bubbling Under the Hot 100", Billboard , February 4, 1978. p. 30. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  49. ↑ "The Singles Chart", Record World , February 11, 1978. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  50. ↑ "The R&B Singles Chart", Record World , February 11, 1978. p. 50. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Looking Ahead", Cash Box , January 28, 1978. p. 54. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 R&B", Cash Box , January 28, 1978. p. 51. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
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.