Unveiling the Melodic Tapestry: The Enchanting Journey of Charley Pride‘s “She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory”
Immerse yourself in the captivating tale behind one of Charley Pride’s timeless classics. As the curtain rose on 1977, Charley Pride found himself entwined in the melodies crafted by his favorite writers, transporting him beyond the echoes of the Bicentennial year.
In a serendipitous turn of events, Ben Peters, fueled by an overflow of inspiration, penned “A Whole Lot of Things to Sing About,” catapulting Pride’s soulful rendition to the heights of #2 on the charts. Yet, the summit remained elusive as Marty Robbins’ “Among My Souvenirs” held steadfast to the pinnacle.
The dawn of 1977 heralded a new chapter as Pride embraced a piece from his own publishing venture, courtesy of the gifted John Schweers. “She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory” emerged from Schweers’ creative cocoon after months of meticulous nurturing, its essence encapsulated in a waltz rhythm that danced through the corridors of time.
Initially met with reservation, Pride’s initial rejection of the song mirrored his reluctance toward another Schweers gem, “Daydreams About Night Things.” While Ronnie Milsap embraced the latter, “She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory” found refuge under the wing of Nick Nixon at Mercury Records, albeit with modest chart success.
Yet, fate wove its intricate threads as Tammy Wynette stumbled upon Nixon’s rendition, catalyzing a gender-transformative reinterpretation that almost saw the light of day as a single. However, destiny had other plans, leaving Schweers disheartened until Charley Pride, enraptured by Nixon’s rendition, breathed new life into the song.
However, the journey to immortalize “She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory” in Pride’s distinctive timbre was not without its trials. Studio sessions bore witness to the arduous battle over a single line, as pronunciation woes threatened to derail the endeavor. Amidst the discord, a chance encounter brought clarity, paving the way for the iconic alteration to “I called her today.”
The culmination of this melodic odyssey arrived triumphantly on March 12, 1977, as “She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory” ascended to the zenith of Billboard’s country singles chart, marking Pride’s 17th conquest and etching his name in the annals of musical history. With a career total of 29 chart-toppers, Charley Pride’s legacy endures, a testament to the enduring power of storytelling through song.
- Artist: Charley Pride
- Released: 1977
- Album: She’s Just an Old Love Turned Memory
Lyrics
I called her today, an accidental mistake
And her name slipped out to some friends
Forgotten old feelings are brand new today
‘Cause I’m right back where I’ve always been
Now, she’s just an old love turned memory
And now I seldom see her around
She’s just an old love turned memory
But she still turns my world upside down
I went to some places where I knew she’d be
Just to prove our love was over and done
But the moment her eyes meet mine I knew
My sorrow had only begun
So, she’s just an old love turned memory
Now I seldom see her around
She’s just an old love turned memory
But she still turns my world upside down
But she still turns my world upside down