Dear Uncle Sam Explained

Dear Uncle Sam
Type:single
Artist:Loretta Lynn
Album:I Like 'Em Country
B-Side:Hurtin' for Certain
Released:January 1966
Recorded:15 November 1965
Studio:Columbia, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre:Honky tonk country
Label:Decca
Producer:Owen Bradley
Prev Title:When I Hear My Children Pray
Prev Year:1965
Next Title:You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)
Next Year:1966

"Dear Uncle Sam" is a song written and originally recorded by the American country artist Loretta Lynn. It was released as a single in January 1966 by Decca Records.

Background and reception

"Dear Uncle Sam" was recorded at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee on 15 November 1965. The session was produced by the studio's co-founder, renowned country music producer Owen Bradley. Three additional tracks were recorded during this session, including the single's B-side, "Hurtin' for Certain".[1]

"Dear Uncle Sam" is told from the perspective of a wife whose spouse is entering the Vietnam War and was one of the first country music songs to discuss war. It was Lynn's second self-composed song to enter the country music charts, the first being "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" in 1960.[2]

"Dear Uncle Sam" reached number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles survey in 1966. It was her seventh top ten single on the country chart. It was included on her 1966 studio album, I Like 'Em Country.[3]

Track listings

7" vinyl single[4]

Charts

Weekly charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Praguefrank's Country Discographies. Loretta Lynn, part 1. 28 February 2016. 3 April 2016.
  2. Web site: Top 10 War Songs in Country Music: Loretta Lynn: Dear Uncle Sam (#7). The Boot. 3 April 2016.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel . The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research.
  4. Web site: Loretta Lynn - Dear Uncle Same/Hurtin' for Cheatin' (Vinyl). Discogs. 1966 . 3 April 2016.