''I Like 'Em Country'' is the sixth solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as "Hey Loretta", "The Pill (song), The P ...

. It was released on March 28, 1966, by

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis after his acquisition of a gramophone manufacturer, The Decca Gramophone Company. It set up an American subsidiary under the Decca name, which bec ...

. The album features only one song written by Lynn, " Dear Uncle Sam". It also includes covers of other artists' hits, including

Hank Williams Hiram "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. An early pioneer of country music, he is regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of the 20th century. W ...

' "

Your Cheatin' Heart "Your Cheatin' Heart" is a song written and recorded by country music singer-songwriter Hank Williams in 1952. It is regarded as one of country's most important standards. Williams was inspired to write the song while driving with his fiancée ...

" and

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

's " Cry, Cry, Cry".

Critical reception

A review published in the April 9, 1966 issue of ''

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 advertis ...

'' said, ""Dear Uncle Sam" was a big hit for Loretta Lynn, and this album, which contains the tune, should leap onto the Hot Country Albums Chart. The stereo is great and Loretta comes through in fine style on country standards like "Jealous Heart", "It's Been So Long, Darling", and "Your Cheatin' Heart".

Commercial performance

The album debuted at No. 27 on the US ''

'' Hot Country Albums chart dated April 23, 1966. It peaked at No. 2 on the chart dated June 4. The album spent 29 weeks on the chart, 14 of which were in the top 10. The first single, " The Home You're Tearin' Down" was released in July 1965 and peaked at No. 10 on the US ''Billboard''

Hot Country Singles Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. This 50-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly by collecting airplay data along with digital sales and streaming. ...

chart. The second single, " Dear Uncle Sam", was released in December 1965 and peaked at No. 4.

Recording

Recording for the album began on November 15, 1965 at the Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Two additional recording sessions followed on January 6 and 13, 1966. Three songs on the album were from sessions for previous albums. "Go On and Go" was recorded during the February 26, 1964 session for 1964's '' Before I'm Over You''; "The Home You're Tearin' Down" was recorded during the March 4, 1965 session for 1965's '' Blue Kentucky Girl''; and "Today Has Been a Day" was recorded during the October 15, 1964 session for 1965's '' Songs from My Heart....''.

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the Decca recording session records. *Willie Ackerman – drums *Harold Bradley – electric bass guitar *Owen Bradley – producer *David Briggs – piano *Floyd Cramer – piano *Ray Edenton – acoustic guitar *Buddy Harman – drums *Don Helms – steel guitar *Kelso Herston – guitar *Junior Huskey – bass *The Jordanaires – background vocals *Jerry Kennedy – guitar *Loretta Lynn – lead vocals *Grady Martin – electric guitar, guitar *Bob Moore – bass *Wayne Moss – guitar *Hal Rugg – steel guitar *

Pete Wade Herman Bland "Pete" Wade (December 16, 1934 – August 27, 2024) was an American guitarist. Wade worked as a session musician in Nashville, playing on numerous hits including "Crazy Arms" by Ray Price, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jo ...

– guitar *Joe Zinkan – bass

Charts

Album Singles

References

{{Authority control 1966 albums Loretta Lynn albums Albums produced by Owen Bradley Decca Records albums