With Pen in Hand
| "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" |
| Released | 1968[1] |
| Format | Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM |
| Recorded | 1968 |
| Genre | Traditional pop music |
| Length | 3:55 |
| Label | Liberty Records |
| Writer(s) | Bobby Goldsboro[2] |
"With Pen in Hand" is a song written by Bobby Goldsboro, which was a hit for several artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 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.[3][4]
Early versions
In 1968, Johnny Darrell released a version of “With Pen in Hand”, which reached No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Country chart and No. 126 on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100.[5][6] A version by Billy Vera was released in 1968 and spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 43,[7] while reaching No. 25 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart,[8] and No. 12 on Canada's RPM 100.[9] Jerry Vale also released a version in 1968, which reached No. 30 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.[10]
Vikki Carr version
In late 1968, Vikki Carr released a version of “With Pen in Hand”.[1] In early 1969, Carr's version was released in the United States and spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 35,[11] while reaching No. 6 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.[12] In Canada, Vikki Carr's version of "With Pen in Hand" reached No. 38 on the RPM 100,[13] and No. 4 on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart.[14] Carr's version also reached No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
In 1970, Vikki Carr was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her rendition of "With Pen in Hand".[15]
Bobby Goldsboro version
On February 26, 1968, Bobby Goldsboro recorded a version of "With Pen in Hand", and on August 1, 1972, he released it as a single.[16] Goldsboro's version spent 5 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 94,[17] while reaching No. 28 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.[18]
References
- 1 2 "From The Music Capitals of the World", Billboard, November 9, 1968. p. 62. Accessed December 3, 2015.
- 1 2 With Pen in Hand - By: Vikki Carr, MusicVF.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ Randy Cordova, "12/13: 10 great Vikki Carr songs", The Arizona Republic, December 6, 2014. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ C. Mackenzie, "The Gramophone", Volume 47, (1969)
- ↑ With Pen in Hand - By: Johnny Darrell, MusicVF.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ "Hot Country Singles", Billboard, July 6, 1968. p. 36. Accessed December 3, 2015.
- ↑ Billy Vera - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ Billy Vera - Chart History - Adult Contemporary, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ "The RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 9, No. 22-23 August 3, 1968. p. 5. Accessed December 3, 2015.
- ↑ Jerry Vale - Chart History - Adult Contemporary, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ Vikki Carr - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ Vikki Carr - Chart History - Adult Contemporary, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ "The RPM 100", RPM Weekly, Volume 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969. p. 5
- ↑ "Adult", RPM Weekly, Volume 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969
- ↑ Diane Telgen, "Notable Hispanic American Women", VNR AG, (1999) p. 76
- ↑ "You've come a long way Bobby.", Billboard, October 5, 1974. p. BG-20. Accessed December 2, 2015.
- ↑ Bobby Goldsboro - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
- ↑ Bobby Goldsboro - Chart History - Adult Contemporary, Billboard.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
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