Seven Year Ache (song)

Last updated
"Seven Year Ache"
Rosanne Cash--Seven Year Ache single.jpg
Single by Rosanne Cash
from the album Seven Year Ache
B-side "Blue Moon with Heartache"
"Rainin'" (international)
ReleasedFebruary 1981
Recorded1980
Genre Country pop [1]
Length3:15
Label Columbia
Ariola (international)
Songwriter(s) Rosanne Cash
Producer(s) Rodney Crowell
Rosanne Cash singles chronology
"Take Me, Take Me"
(1980)
"Seven Year Ache"
(1981)
"My Baby Thinks He's a Train"
(1981)

"Seven Year Ache" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Rosanne Cash. It was released in February 1981 as the first single and title track from Cash's album of the same name. The song was Cash's first of ten No. 1 hits on the US Country charts and also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100 and adult contemporary charts.

Contents

Critical reception

In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #73 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking. [2]

Music video

A music video, Cash's first, was made for the song. Directed by Arnold Levine, and produced by Yvonne May. It was filmed at EXIT/IN Nashville Music Forum in Nashville, Tennessee, and features Cash singing to a crowd, accompanied by her full band. The song deals with a young man who spends too much time looking for quick romance in bars and not concentrating on true love. Cash sings that "there's plenty of dives to be someone you're not."

Commercial performance

"Seven Year Ache" was Cash's fourth single and her first single released in 1981. Considered her breakthrough recording, the song was Cash's first No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart, while also crossing over to the Billboard Pop Chart, reaching No. 22. It was also a Top 10 Adult contemporary hit, cresting at No. 6.

The single was issued on Cash's second studio album, Seven Year Ache that year, which also produced the No. 1 hits "My Baby Thinks He's a Train" and "Blue Moon with Heartache." [3]

Charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [4] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [5] 22
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [6] 6
Canadian RPM Country Singles6
Year-end chart (1981)Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) [7] 97

Notable cover versions

"Seven Year Ache" has been recorded several times. American country artist Trisha Yearwood recorded a version for her 2001 album Inside Out that featured Cash herself singing background vocals. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolette Larson</span> American singer (1952–1997)

Nicolette Larson was an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young and her 1978 hit single of Young's "Lotta Love", which hit No. 1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and No. 8 on the pop singles chart. It was followed by four more adult contemporary hits, two of which were also minor pop hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanne Cash</span> American singer-songwriter and author

Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of country musician Johnny Cash and his first wife Vivian Cash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Crowell</span> American musician

Rodney Crowell is an American musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music. Crowell has had five number one singles on Hot Country Songs, all from his 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt. He has also written songs and produced for other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring of Fire (song)</span> Song popularized by Johnny Cash

The song "Ring of Fire" was made popular by Johnny Cash after it appeared on his 1963 compilation album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. Written by Cash's eventual second wife, June Carter Cash, and songwriter Merle Kilgore, "(Love's) Ring of Fire" was originally recorded by June's sister, Anita Carter, on her 1962 album, Folk Songs Old and New.

<i>Seven Year Ache</i> 1981 studio album by Rosanne Cash

Seven Year Ache is the third studio album by American country music singer Rosanne Cash, and her second for Columbia Records. It was released on February 28, 1981, and reached number one on the Billboard country album chart. Three singles were released from her album; in the order of the singles' release they were: the title track, My Baby Thinks He's a Train, and Blue Moon with Heartache.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Fall to Pieces</span> 1961 single by Patsy Cline

"I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records, it topped the country charts, crossed over onto the pop charts and became among Cline's biggest hits. Cline was initially reluctant to record "I Fall to Pieces" and believed its production lacked enough country instrumentation for her liking. Eventually, Cline recorded the song upon the encouragement of her producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue</span> 1977 single by Crystal Gayle

"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" is a song written by Richard Leigh, and recorded by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. It was released in June 1977 as the first single from Gayle's album We Must Believe in Magic.

<i>View from the House</i> 1988 studio album by Kim Carnes

View from the House is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Kim Carnes. It was released on July 25, 1988 by MCA Records. The album marked a return to her early country music roots. Carnes recorded the album in Nashville, Tennessee, and co-produced the album with Jimmy Bowen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Touch Me</span> 1966 single by Jeannie Seely

"Don't Touch Me" is a song written by Hank Cochran. It was originally written for and recorded by American country artist Jeannie Seely. The song was released as a single on Monument Records in March 1966 and became a major Billboard country hit. "Don't Touch Me" became Seely's signature song and her biggest hit as a solo artist. It would later appear on her debut studio album and be re-recorded by Seely in later years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(There's) No Gettin' Over Me</span> 1981 single by Ronnie Milsap

"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me" is a song written by Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield, and recorded by American country music singer Ronnie Milsap. It was released in June 1981 as the first single from the album There's No Gettin' Over Me. Known by many fans by its less grammatically correct title "There Ain't No Gettin' Over Me" — the song's official title appears nowhere in the lyrics — the song became one of Milsap's biggest country hits and his only top 10 pop hit during his recording career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanne Cash discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Rosanne Cash

The discography of Rosanne Cash, an American singer-songwriter, consists of 14 studio albums, six compilation albums, and 39 singles. The daughter of Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash recorded her self-titled debut album in 1978 under the German label Ariola. After signing with Columbia Records in 1979, Cash's second studio album Right or Wrong was released. Its lead single "No Memories Hangin' Around" reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Cash's third studio release, Seven Year Ache (1981), gained major success when the title track peaked at number one on the Billboard Country chart. It was then followed by "My Baby Thinks He's a Train" and "Blue Moon with a Heartache," which also reached the top spot. The album's follow-up effort, Somewhere in the Stars (1982) produced three Top 20 hits on the Billboard chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye</span> Song written by John D. Loudermilk

"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" is a song written by John D. Loudermilk. It was first released in 1962 by Don Cherry, as a country song and again as a doo-wop in 1967 by the group The Casinos on its album of the same name, and was a number 6 pop hit that year. The song has since been covered by Eddy Arnold, whose version was a number 1 country hit in 1968, and by Neal McCoy, whose version became a Top 5 country hit in 1996.

<i>The List</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Rosanne Cash

The List is Rosanne Cash's twelfth studio album, released on Manhattan Records on October 6, 2009, her only album for the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me</span> 1985 single by Rosanne Cash

"I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Rosanne Cash. It was released in February 1985 as the first single from the album Rhythm & Romance. The song was Cash's fourth number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of 15 weeks in the top 40. Cash wrote the song with then-husband Rodney Crowell. In 1986, the song - which was written by Cash in response to losing a Grammy to Juice Newton in 1983 - garnered Rosanne Cash her first Grammy Award.

"Blue Moon with Heartache" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Rosanne Cash. It was released in December 1981 as the third single from the album Seven Year Ache. The song was Cash's third number one country hit. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart.

"My Baby Thinks He's a Train" is a song written by Leroy Preston, and recorded by American country music artist Rosanne Cash. It was released in August 1981 as the second single from the album Seven Year Ache. The song was Cash's second number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of 11 weeks on the country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Flat Top Box</span> 1961 single by Johnny Cash

"Tennessee Flat Top Box" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Johnny Cash. It was released as a single in late 1961, reaching 11 on the Billboard country singles charts and 84 on the pop charts. The song's name refers to a steel-stringed acoustic guitar.

"Rose Garden" is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969.

"Trying to Love You" is a song written by singer-songwriters Beth Nielsen Chapman and Bill Lloyd. It was originally recorded by Chapman herself for her 2005 studio album, Look. The same year, American country artist Trisha Yearwood included a version on her 2005 studio album, Jasper County. It was eventually spawned as the second single from the album and became a charting Billboard hit on two charts. It received positive reception from music critics and writers.

References

  1. Molanphy, Chris (November 5, 2020). "Friends in Low Places Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . May 24, 2014.
  3. Ankeny, Jason. "Rosanne Cash > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  4. "Rosanne Cash Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  5. "Rosanne Cash Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. "Rosanne Cash Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  7. "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  8. Konicki Dinoia, Maria. "Inside Out > Overview". allmusic . Retrieved 2009-06-08.