"Sweet and Innocent" is a song written by

Rick Hall Roe Erister "Rick" Hall (January 31, 1932 – January 2, 2018) was an American record producer, songwriter, and musician who became known as the owner of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As the "Father of Muscle Shoals Music", he was i ...

and

Billy Sherrill Billy Norris Sherrill (November 5, 1936 – August 4, 2015) was an American record producer, songwriter, and arranger best known for his association with country artists, notably Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Sherrill and business partner Gle ...

, first recorded by

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

in 1958. It was released as the B-side to the single, "Seems to Me".

The Osmonds recording

In 1970, pop singing group

The Osmonds The Osmonds were an American family music group who reached the height of their fame in the early to mid-1970s. The group had its best-known configurations as a quartet (billed as the Osmond Brothers) and a quintet (as the Osmonds). The group ...

recorded a substantially reworked version of the song with

Donny Donnie or Donny is a familiar form (hypocorism) of the masculine given name Donald, Donal, Don, or Donovan. It may refer to: People Arts and entertainment * Donny Baldwin, American drummer best known as a member of Jefferson Starship and Stars ...

handling the lead vocals, and it was billed as his first solo single release. The lyrics were shifted from Orbison's original words being a compliment to a young woman, to Osmond's remake being repulsed by her behavior. Donny took the song to No. 7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart on June 5, 1971, and number 32 for all of 1971. It was certified Gold by the

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

on August 30, 1971.

Charts

Certifications

References

1958 songs 1958 singles 1971 singles Roy Orbison songs The Osmonds songs Songs written by Billy Sherrill Songs written by Rick Hall MGM Records singles RCA Victor singles {{1970s-pop-song-stub