(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Rose Garden" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Lynn Anderson | ||
| from the album 'Rose Garden' | ||
| B-side(s) | "Nothing Between Us" | |
| Released | 1970 | |
| Format | 45 rpm | |
| Recorded | 1970 | |
| Genre | Country music | |
| Length | 02:53 | |
| Label | Columbia Records | |
| Writer(s) | Joe South | |
| Producer(s) | Glenn Sutton | |
| Certification | RIAA Platinum | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
#1 U.S. Country |
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| Lynn Anderson singles chronology | ||
| "No Love at All", 1970 | Rose Garden (1970) |
"You're My Man", 1971 |
| "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Martina McBride | ||
| from the album 'Timeless' | ||
| Released | 2005 | |
| Recorded | 2005 | |
| Genre | Country music | |
| Length | 03:15 | |
| Label | RCA records | |
| Writer(s) | Joe South | |
| Producer(s) | Martina McBride | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
#18 U.S. Country |
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| Martina McBride singles chronology | ||
| "God's Will" 2004 |
"(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" 2005 |
"I Still Miss Someone" 2006 |
"(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" (AKA "Rose Garden") was the title of a song written by Joe South, that is best known by Country singer Lynn Anderson, whose recording topped the U.S. country charts and reached #3 on the U.S. Billboard pop charts and #1 on the Record World pop charts in 1970.
[edit] The Best Known Version: Lynn Anderson version
In 1971 Anderson hit #3 in the United Kingdom with the song making it one of the most successful country crossover hits ever in Europe, hitting number one in several countries. Around the same time as Anderson's release, the song was also released by British singer Sandie Shaw, most famous for her hits in the 1960s. Her version failed to make the UK chart.
In the song, initially recorded by South himself, the narrator explains to his/her lover that though their relationship is not perfect, they should be grateful for the good and accept the bad along with it (as the chorus of the song repeats, "I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden"). South originally released it on his 1969 Introrespect album. Dobie Gray was the first artist to have a single version of the song that experienced some success with his 1969 release on White Whale Records.
Reportedly, Anderson's record label, Columbia, was not keen on her recording "Rose Garden", as they felt it would seem odd for a woman to be singing lines like "I could promise you things like big diamond rings". Anderson however, very much liked the song and was determined to record it. The record company had just enough time left to record the song. Anderson later quoted that if there wasn't enough time in the studio to record the song, "Rose Garden" would have never been recorded. The song was later turned over to the head of Columbia Records, Clive Davis.
The song was well-liked by Davis and and ultimatley decided that "Rose Garden" would be Lynn Anderson's next single. However, Columbia's reservations aside, the single release of the song was an immediate hit, setting the stage for a series of top ten country singles for Anderson, which would continue throughout most of the 1970s. The song had always remeained Anderson's signature tune and one of the biggest hits of the 70s. The song earned Anderson a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1971, as well as a Grammy for Joe South for writing the song.
In recent years, Lynn Anderson has recorded numerous versions of her hit song, including a Bluegrass version of "Rose Garden" that was featured in Anderson's 2004 comeback album The Bluegrass Sessions.
The song's chorus from Anderson's original version was sampled by the pop/dance group Kon Kan in their similarly titled song "I Beg Your Pardon," released in 1988.
[edit] The Remake Version: Martina McBride version
In 2005, Martina McBride included the song on her album of covers, Timeless. This album featured classic Country songs from over the years, including "Rose Garden". McBride decided to release her version as a single. Her version brought McBride all the way to the Country Top 20, and brought her a hit. The song also brought more attention to Lynn Anderson when it became a hit for McBride.
The album she released Timeless was a #1 Billboard Country album in 2005, and also went to #3 on the Billboard 200 albums list. Wnother track from her album was a minor hit for McBride called "I Still Miss Someone", which was a duet with Dolly Parton. When McBride performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 2005, she performed "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden". While performing the song, Lynn Anderson also sang with McBride. Even though McBride made the song a hit, its best known version is still by Lynn Anderson. In 2006, McBride embarked on a Timeless tour. The Suicide Machines cover appeared in the background of a party scene in the film SLC Punk. It appeared on both the soundtrack as well as their self-titled 2000 album.
