Reviving the Spirit of Country: Unraveling the Captivating Tale Behind Barbara Mandrell‘s Smash Hit, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”
In the midst of the “Urban Cowboy” phenomenon in the early ’80s, songwriter Kye Fleming sparked a brilliant idea for a song title that would later become a catchphrase among country music artists. Jotting down “I was country when country wasn’t cool” in her notebook, Fleming couldn’t shake off the thought. Partnering with Dennis Morgan, they mustered the courage to develop the idea into lyrics, although unsure of how it would be received by record producer Tom Collins. It was a daring venture, with the potential for greatness or dismissal as a mere joke.
During Christmas of 1980, Fleming and Morgan found themselves in California, visiting the talented Barbara Mandrell, who was engrossed in her NBC television show. Serenading her with several songs by the poolside, Mandrell’s enthusiasm soared when she heard “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.” The song took center stage in her album “Barbara Mandrell Live,” recorded on June 7, 1981, at the renowned Roy Acuff Theater in Nashville. Ironically, the track was crafted in a Los Angeles studio. By the time the album was being recorded, the single had already secured a spot in Billboard’s Top Five.
Producer Collins orchestrated a unique collaboration, flying piano player David Briggs from Nashville to Los Angeles for the session. Bassist Neil Stubenhaus, unfortunately delayed by a prior commitment, joined the recording towards the end. Mandrell recorded her lead vocal without the bass, allowing Stubenhaus to overdub his part during the final 20 minutes. With George Jones mentioned in the lyrics, the decision was made to bring in another iconic vocalist. Initially considering Ernest Tubb, a brilliant suggestion arose: why not invite George himself? Jones gladly accepted the invitation, drawn by the undeniable allure of collaborating with Barbara Mandrell. In Nashville’s Woodland Sound Studio, George delivered a definitive take in just ten minutes, while engineer Les Ladd skillfully mixed the track.
Adding an extra touch of authenticity, Collins and Ladd incorporated crowd noise tapes discovered at Woodland, transforming the recording into a vibrant “live” experience. The result was astonishing. “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” skyrocketed to the #1 spot on Billboard’s country singles chart on July 4, 1981, marking Mandrell’s fourth of six chart-topping hits. Not only did the song solidify Mandrell’s success, but its title became an integral part of country music’s lexicon, embodying the timeless spirit of country pride.
- Single by Barbara Mandrell
- Album- Barbara Mandrell Live
- B-side- “A Woman’s Got a Right (To Change His Mind)”
- Released- April 16, 1981
- Recorded- c. March 1981 Nashville, Tennessee
- Genre- Country pop
- Length- 3:40
- Label- MCA
- Songwriters- Kye Fleming, Dennis Morgan
- Producer- Tom Collins
Lyrics
I remember wearin’ straight-leg Levis
Flannel shirts even when they weren’t in style
I remember singin’ with Roy Rogers
At the movies when the West was really wild
And I was listenin’ to the Opry
When all of my friends
Were diggin’ Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm and Blues
I was country when country wasn’t cool
I remember circlin’ the drive-in
Pullin’ up and turnin’ down George Jones
I remember when no one was lookin’
I was puttin’ peanuts in my Coke
I took a lot of kiddin’
‘Cause I never did fit in
Now look at everybody
Tryin’ to be what I was then
I was country when country wasn’t cool, ooh
I was country when country wasn’t cool
I was country from my hat down to my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ new
I was country when country wasn’t cool
They call us country bumpkins
For stickin’ to our roots
I’m just glad we’re in a country
Where we’re all free to choose
I was country (I was country) when country wasn’t cool
Hey, I was country when country wasn’t cool
Yeah, and I was country from my hat down to, whoa, my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ new
‘Cause I was country when country wasn’t cool
Yeah, I was country when country wasn’t cool
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