"You Pick Me Up (And Put Me Down)" is a song written by

Randy Goodrum Charles Randolph Goodrum (born July 7, 1947) is an American songwriter, pianist, and producer. Goodrum has written number one songs in each of the four decades since his first number one hit, 1978's "You Needed Me". Goodrum's songs have appeare ...

and Brent Maher, and recorded by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

singer

Dottie West Dorothy Marie Marsh West (October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and fellow recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most in ...

. It was released in October 1979 as the first single from the album '' Special Delivery''. The song was among a series of records showcasing West's newly adopted pop-oriented style, which became popular with fans during the early 1980s. Prior to the success of songs like "You Pick Me Up ... ," West had been known for recording in the

Nashville Sound The Nashville Sound originated during the mid-1950s as a subgenre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of the rough honky tonk music, which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with "smooth strings and choruses", "sophist ...

and honky-tonk styles of country music.

Chart performance

"You Pick Me Up ..." reached the top 15 on the country charts, peaking at No. 12 on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Hot Country Singles chart and No. 10 on the Cashbox chart. As West's success had declined during the mid-1970s, the song completed her comeback as a solo artist. She had a series of successful duets with

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted mo ...

in 1978 and 1979, but "You Pick Me Up ..." was her most successful solo entry since 1974's " Last Time I Saw Him". "You Pick Me Up ..." marked the future

countrypolitan The Nashville Sound originated during the mid-1950s as a subgenre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of the rough Honky tonk, honky tonk music, which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with "smooth strings and choruse ...

-styled hits to come for West, including the follow-up, the No. 1 hit "

A Lesson in Leavin' "A Lesson in Leavin'", also titled as "Lesson in Leavin"', is a song written by Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher. It was originally recorded in 1979 by American country music singer, Dottie West, for her Special Delivery album. Following several h ...

". Both songs were included on her 1980 album '' Special Delivery'', which included two other singles. "You Pick Me Up (And Put Me Down)" has been featured on West's most popular compilation albums, including her '' Greatest Hits'' album, released in 1992, after her death in a car accident a year before.

Chart positions

References

1979 singles Dottie West songs Songs written by Randy Goodrum United Artists Records singles Songs written by Brent Maher 1979 songs {{1970s-country-song-stub