The Tale Behind Loretta Lynn’s Smash Hit “Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight)”
In the world of country music, Loretta Lynn was already a legendary icon, having received the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award from the Country Music Association in 1972. But in 1976, her star shone even brighter when she earned the same honor from the Academy of Country Music on the West Coast. What’s the story behind this career-defining moment? It all began with a chance encounter with songwriter Lola Jean Dillon.
Lola Jean Dillon’s journey to Nashville was unconventional. She secured her first songwriting contract without ever setting foot in Music City, thanks to a friend who sent a tape of three of her songs to the esteemed Harlan Howard. When Howard acquired the publishing rights to those songs, Dillon took a leap of faith and relocated to Nashville. However, her income from songwriting wasn’t substantial, as her songs had yet to gain popularity. In the meantime, she found herself answering phones at Harlan’s publishing company while he searched for a new secretary.
One day, Lola Jean Dillon had a revelation at her desk. She was determined to get her songs into the hands of Loretta Lynn, but her previous attempts had fallen short. Seeking advice, she called a friend who worked as Owen Bradley’s secretary at MCA Records (Owen was Loretta’s producer). To her surprise, Loretta Lynn herself answered the call. After a friendly chat, Lynn invited Dillon to bring over a tape of her songs right away. Among those songs was “When The Tingle Becomes A Chill,” which Loretta swiftly decided to record, and it became a #2 hit in 1975.
Impressed by Dillon’s talent, Loretta Lynn wasted no time in signing her to her own Coal Miners Music publishing company. Six months after receiving the ACM honors, Loretta recorded another one of Dillon’s compositions, “Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight),” a song Lola Jean had penned about a year after signing with Lynn.
Loretta, ever the astute judge of talent, called Dillon into her office to play the song for her. Overwhelmed by Loretta’s sparkling performance of her song, Dillon was moved. Lynn, sensing the song’s potential, recommended a speedy release, believing that if it had such an impact on the writer, it would likely resonate with other listeners. It turned out to be a wise decision because “Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight)” soared to the #1 spot on November 13, 1976. This marked Loretta’s ninth solo #1 hit on the Billboard charts out of her total of 11, not to mention her five additional chart-toppers in duets with Conway Twitty.
Reflecting on the song’s success, Loretta quipped, “If that wasn’t a great jukebox song, somebody somewhere wasn’t listenin’ too good!” And indeed, the song remains a timeless classic in the world of country music, a testament to the magic that can happen when talent, determination, and fate collide.
Artist: Loretta Lynn
Movie: Coal Miner’s Daughter
Released: 1976
Nominations: Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year,
Lyrics
Somebody, somewhere don’t know what he’s missin’ tonight
It must have all started with that darned old Late Show
It made me so lonely and sad
And to make it all better, I kept getting bluer
With each little drink that I had
Then I tuned in a DJ
Who played every sad song he owned
Lord, I need someone so, but everyone I know
Is away, bein’ needed at home
Somebody, somewhere don’t know what he’s missin’ tonight
Lord, here sits a woman, just lonesome enough to be right
For love ’em and leave ’em, how I need someone to hold tight
Somebody, somewhere don’t know what he’s missin’ tonight
Somebody, somewhere don’t know what he’s missin’ tonight
Lord, here sits a woman, just lonesome enough to be right
For love ’em and leave ’em, how I need someone to hold tight
Somebody, somewhere don’t know what he’s missin’ tonight
