Rose Garden (song)
"Rose Garden" (sometimes titled "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden") is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969.
In 1970, Lynn Anderson recorded "Rose Garden" after hearing Joe South's version. However, Anderson's producer rejected the song's recording because he did not consider it to be a female tune. After much convincing, the song was eventually recorded and released as a single by Columbia Records. The song became a crossover hit after it reached both the American Billboard country and pop charts. "Rose Garden" also became a major hit worldwide, reaching the number one spot in multiple countries.
In 1971 at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards, the Lynn Anderson version of "Rose Garden" won her the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.[2]
"Rose Garden" has since been recorded by artists of various styles and musical genres. Notable covers include those by k.d. Lang in 1985 and Martina McBride in 2005. Yet it is Anderson's version that has been considered a country music standard and signature country pop recording. In recent years, the song has appeared in various music publications.
"Rose Garden"
"Mirror of Your Mind"
December 1968
1968
Positive Record Production
2:50
Joe South
Joe South
"Where's the Girl Gone"
May 1969
2:57
- Tommy Amato
- Quitman Dennis
- Brent Maher
"Rose Garden"
"Nothing Between Us"
October 1970
August 1970
Columbia Recording Studio
2:52
Joe South
"Rose Garden"
"Ain't Nobody Ever Gonna Wonder Why"
1971
"High Time for a Detour"
1987
CTS Studios
- Pop rock
- country[60]
3:19
Joe South
August 15, 2005
2005
Blackbird Studio
3:16
Joe South
Martina McBride