(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson

(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden

1970

Lynn Anderson

'71's first big One Hit Wonder was a biggie. One of the biggest cross-over Country-Pop hits ever. On top of that, it was a huge international Pop hit (Hey, either go big or go home!). The song? (I Never Promised You A ) Rose Garden, often known as simply 'Rose Garden' by Lynn Anderson.

It was originally written by Joe Smith, in 1969, and recorded by several male artists as well as a girl group (The Three Degrees)...none of whom went anywhere with it. Then it was given to the incomparable Lynn Anderson, who was already a very well known and popular Country artist, as well as an award winning equestrian, by the way. Lynn took it, added her own spin to it, and released it as her third single with Columbia Records in early 1970.

It proceeded to simultaneously shoot up the Country and Pop charts like a pair of rockets, hitting #1 on the Billboard Country charts (Where it stayed for five weeks) and making it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

And for good reason...who can forget that strong instrumental lead-in, followed up by Lynn belting out 'I Beg Your Pardon...I never promised you a ro-ose garden!' in that lovely Country twang of hers. It became an instant classic.

Lynn Anderson was another artist who was a One Hit Wonder on the Pop charts, but who racked up a slew of hits on the Country charts. And (I Never Promised You A ) Rose Garden ?. It's remembered well and fondly by millions, but you almost never hear it on the Oldies stations today (And if you do get lucky enough to hear it, it'll more likely to be on a Country station rather than an Oldies station). You'll still catch it once in a blue moon during a request hour, or a 'One Hit Wonder or Crossover Hit show. But it's not on the regular play lists, sadly. It's still an awesome song after nearly forty-three years. And it'll still be an awesome song forty three years down the road. Be nice if it became a hit again sometime. But for now it's '71's first Top 20 One Hit Wonder.

So enjoy! (I Never Promised You A ) Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson.

And as an extra! I dug down through YouTube, and found The Three Degrees version of the song, which is absolutely nothing like the Lynn Anderson version. I'll let you guys compare, and see which one you like best!