Loretta Lynn is a treasure. She got her start in the early sixties. Not long after that, she cemented her place as one of the most important acts in country music. Loretta wrote and performed songs straight from her heart. Like many strong southern women, she rarely pulled punches. Songs like “The Pill” and “Rated X” ruffled feathers in the industry. Yet, she never shied away from speaking her mind. Over the years, she has been a voice for everyday women across the country. Lynn continues to be outspoken all these years later. Because of her fiery spirit and undying resolve, Loretta Lynn is one of the most influential ladies in the genre today.
However, it was not a song full of biting criticism or world-weary observation that most fans remember. Instead, it is the heartfelt ode to her humble beginnings. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is an autobiographical tune that shows how close to her roots Lynn remained over the years. It paints the picture of the starting point for her rags-to-riches rise to legendary status. Some listeners got to hear it for the first time fifty-one years ago today.
Loretta Lynn’s signature song hit the airwaves in October of 1970. That month, Decca Records released it as a single with “Man of the House,” as its B-side. However, on this day in 1970, they released the first promo copies of the song. This release featured “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on both sides, according to My Kind of Country. One side was a stereo recording. The other was unspecified. However, it’s safe to assume that it was a mono version of the song.
Loretta Lynn Tells Her Story to Rave Reviews
If you’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” you probably shouldn’t trust their taste in music. This goes double for the folks at Decca who had some serious doubts about the track.
Loretta Lynn originally recorded “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” in 1969. However, Decca had some doubts about the song. The higher-ups weren’t sure that it would sell. So, they shelved the song until the next year. However, it didn’t take long for them to see how wrong they were. Within months of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” hitting the airwaves, it climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was Lynn’s fourth number-one hit.
“Coal Miner’s Daughter,” wasn’t just a massive hit for Loretta Lynn. The song helped to drive the sales of the album of the same name. It along with Lynn’s autobiography was the basis for a multi-award-winning film.
Loretta Lynn was “borned a coal miner’s daughter,” in a little place called Butcher’s Holler and she’ll never forget the lean times that instilled in her an iron resolve and unrivaled work ethic. However, to the rest of us, she is the undisputed queen of country music.
