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On This Day: Patsy Cline Releases ‘She’s Got You’ in 1962

Fifty-nine years ago today, Patsy Cline broke our hearts again with her song, “She’s Got You.”

With her smoky, powerhouse voice, Cline is known for some of the saddest, most heartbreaking love songs in history. With songs including, “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” and “She’s Got You,” Cline knows how to sing a tragic love song.

“She’s Got You” is about a woman who reflects on all the things she still has with the man she loved. She has their old records, jewelry, and memories. However, another woman has him. Cline sings, “I’ve got your memory. Or, has it got me?…I’ve got the records that we used to share. And they still sound the same as when you were here. The only thing different, the only thing new. I’ve got the records, she’s got you.”

And now, we’re crying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCUh6tf7PA
Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You”

Patsy Cline Loved The Song As Soon As She Heard It

“She’s Got You” was written by songwriting great Hank Cochran in 1962. As soon as he finished writing the song, he called Cline and told her that he just wrote her next hit song.

At the time, Cline’s friend, fellow singer Dottie West, was visiting. So, Cline told Cochran to bring the song and a bottle of liquor to her house for an impromptu listening session. Cline was so moved by the song she learned it right then and there. Additionally, Cline recorded the song at her very next studio session. As soon as the song debuted, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the number 14 spot.

Patsy Cline belting out a song in the recording studio. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns)

Countless artists have covered Cline’s song. Including country music great, Loretta Lynn, who released her version in 1977. Lynn’s version soared to the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart.

Some male artists, including Don McLean and Dean Martin, covered the song as well changing the title to “He’s Got You.” The experience of reminiscing about a relationship and realizing that someone else is now sharing a life with that person is heartbreaking yet Universal. Thanks to Hank Cochran for putting words to our experience and Patsy Cline for bringing it to life with her voice.