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After switching to Columbia, Anderson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further elevate her country music career. She had previously recorded for an independent label and had several country hits there, including " If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)" (1967). In 1970, Lynn Anderson's exposure on the Lawrence Welk Show led to the major label Columbia Records signing her to their country roster. "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden" on YouTube " It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard) In Canada, the single peaked at number 89 on the RPM Top Singles list. In the United States, "Rose Garden" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart. Gray's version reached low charting positions on the American and Canadian pop music charts following its release. The recording was a collaborative production effort among several producers including Brent Maher. "Rose Garden" was released on White Whale Records in 1969. Gray's version was the first to be released as a single to mainstream radio. In 1969, American rhythm and blues artist Dobie Gray recorded "Rose Garden". Bruce Eder of Allmusic praised "Rose Garden" in his review of Introspect, commenting that South's version was "worth hearing". The album was released on Capitol Records and appeared as the second track on the project.
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The session for the song was produced by South himself. It was cut at the Positive Record Production Studio in 1968. South's version was first released as an album track on his 1968 debut studio release, Introspect. The album was later released in November 1967, but the song was not issued as a single. The song and its corresponding album were recorded in July 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia. The song first appeared on Royal's 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal featuring Hush. Īlthough South recorded his own version, Billy Joe Royal had cut "Rose Garden" first. His 1965 composition " Down in the Boondocks" became a hit for Billy Joe Royal, as did " Hush" for Deep Purple in 1968. After working with Dylan, South's writing style shifted and his songs became more successful. He opened everything up," he recalled in 1994. "Before him, there was this idea that you could only use certain words or images in pop songs, but he started putting in words that you’d expect to just find in books and in poetry. In the years before the song's composition, South had collaborated with Bob Dylan and was inspired by his songwriting technique.
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In recent years, the song has appeared in various music publications.Īccording to South, he drew inspiration for "Rose Garden" from the confidence he obtained as a songwriter. Yet it is Anderson's version that has been considered a country music standard and signature country pop recording. Lang in 1985 and Martina McBride in 2005. "Rose Garden" has since been recorded by artists of various styles and musical genres. "Rose Garden" also became a major hit worldwide, reaching the number one spot in multiple countries. The song became a crossover hit after it reached both the American Billboard country and pop charts. After much convincing, the song was eventually recorded and released as a single by Columbia Records. However, Anderson's producer rejected the song's recording because he did not consider it to be a female tune. In 1970, Lynn Anderson recorded "Rose Garden" after hearing Joe South's version. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969. Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". "Rose Garden" (sometimes titled "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden") is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" on YouTube
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