Here You Come Again
This will come as a surprise to anyone who has known me for a long time. I am well known for not being a fan of Country music. That’s not strictly true, as I did have a flirtation with the lovely Crystal Gayle at one time. Her records were undoubtedly Country, though perhaps more acceptable to the mainstream. I also quite like a couple of Glen Campbell records; ‘Wichita Lineman’, and ‘Galveston’. Other than a few retro moments, and being obsessed with Patsy Cline singing ‘Crazy’ (another post to come), I don’t usually like Country music. It is too American, often too redneck, and far too misogynistic for my taste.
Dolly Parton is one of the most enduring and successful Country artists. Her career has seemingly spanned my entire life. She has had a consistent fan base, enjoyed huge record sales, and become one of the most well-known and famous recording artists in history. As recently as last summer, she was able to headline the Glastonbury music festival here in the UK, and amaze the young audience there. She has also branched out into acting, and been well-received in many films, not least the hugely popular ‘Nine to Five.’ Her songwriting and performing talents are legendary, and her collaborations with other singers have seen her go from strength to strength, until it seems that she can do nothing wrong.
This diminutive lady, best known for her assortment of stylish wigs, and her pneumatic large breasts, is far from the usual singer that you might expect to find celebrated on this blog. Recent plastic surgery has altered her appearance, and not in a good way. She is actually six yeas older than me, and thanks to her surgeons, is beginning to look it too. However, in 1977 she attempted to record an album that would enable her to cross over from Country, to the general charts, and released ‘Here You Come Again’. It worked. The single release was a hit, and more followed. She got recognition in the Country charts as usual, but more importantly, also gained high places in the pop charts too.
I couldn’t get this track out of my head. I still can’t.
beetleypete 
I’m not a fan of country music, either, but I do like this Dolly Parton song and loved her in 9 to 5. I like Dolly’s personality and enjoy her when she’s speaking or being interviewed.
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That’s very true Gretchen. Despite her fame (and presumably, wealth) she always comes over as very genuine and likeable. Pity about the cosmetic surgery though, which changed her natural good looks.
I hope you are not too affected by the weather over there. We have seen it here on the TV news-really bad.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Like you, I’m not a fan of country music. However, I also have liked a handful of songs that fit squarely into the genre or else have crossover appeal. I know this Dolly Parton song very well, and like it. The same can be said of the Glen Campbell songs you mentioned. I’ve always been a fan of “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle.
I like any number of songs popularized by Johnny Cash (e.g., “Ring of Fire” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky”), and anything sung by country dabbler Olivia Newton-John, on whom I had a crush back in the day. It’s impossible not to like some of Roy Orbison’s songs (e.g., “Oh, Pretty Woman”). I also like the occasional offbeat song like “Flowers on the Wall” by the Statler Brothers, My favorite western song of all time, hands down, is “El Paso” by Marty Robbins.
This is way off topic, but I thought I’d mention some of the more notable solo singing performances I’ve had the privilege to witness in person:
Kansas City, Missouri (Kemper Arena): Elvis Presley and Olivia Newton-John
Kansas City, Missouri (Midland Theatre): Richard Harris (“Camelot”)
Kansas City, Missouri (Crown Center): Astrud Gilberto
Branson, Missouri (Moon River Theatre): Andy Williams
Las Vegas, Nevada (Paris-Las Vegas Hotel): Barry Manilow and Patricia Kaas
Las Vegas, Nevada (Caesars Palace): Bette Midler
Las Vegas, Nevada (MGM Grand): David Cassidy (“EFX”)
If I had some money to burn, I could see any number of singers perform here in Las Vegas (e.g., Sir Elton John, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga). Brother, can you spare me a dime?
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Thanks for that interesting and informative comment David. I am not sure that I would give you the money to watch Elton John, as the only recording of his I liked was his first ever release on DJM records. Since he became England’s answer to Liberace, I cannot bear him.
The only Celine Dion record I really liked was ‘Falling Into You’, and I still like it now. I liked Presley’s ballads, and for some reason, ‘The Wonder Of You’ has always been a favourite. God knows why, but it is. I liked ONJ’s singing well enough, but found her Aussie accent irritating, and thought that she was too skinny to be attractive. From your list, I am jealous of one performance, Astrud Gilberto. That must have been good, I reckon.
Glad you liked this one by Dolly.
Best wishes, Pete.
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