Today is Loretta Lynn’s birthday! To celebrate the Coal Miner’s Daughter, our staff picked our favorite songs of her. Did your favorites make the list?
Coal Miner’s Daughter
When talking about Loretta Lynn, her autobiographical song released in 1970 is the perfect place to start. “Coal Miner’s Daughter went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard County Charts that same year. The iconic song became her nickname and the namesake of a movie about her life released in 1980. It was put in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2010.
You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)
This 1966 hit is what many believe to be Lynn’s breakout track. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts, making her the first woman to write a song to reach the top of the genre.
Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)
Released in 1967, this song was Lynn’s first No. 1 and was a fixture of her live performances for her entire career. The song is based on her husband’s notorious heavy drinker, the first of many times Lynn’s music would be incredibly personal.
Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (duet with Conway Twitty)
This was the first song released on the album with the some name. In 1973, two of country’s most iconic musicians teamed up for a record and single that would each reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts.
One’s On the Way
The title track of her 1971 album went on to be one of her most popular songs. It was written cartoonist and children’s book writer Shel Silverstein, who wrote several country hits over the course of his life.
Dear Uncle Sam
In this ballad, Lynn puts herself in the shoes of a soldier’s wife during the Vietnam War.
After the Fire Is Gone (duet with Conway Twitty)
Another duet with Twitty makes our list. This song also reached No. 1 on Billboard and was covered by Willie Nelson and Tracy Nelson three years after its release.
Portland, Oregon (featuring Jack White)
Sung with Jack White, who produced her comeback album in 2004, this is far and away Lynn’s most popular track on her most recent album.
