I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special) explained

I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)
Type:single
Artist:Tammy Wynette
Album:Womanhood
B-Side:"Love Doesn't Always Come (On The Night It's Needed)"
Studio:Columbia Studio
Genre:Country[1]
Length:2:51
Label:Epic
Producer:Billy Sherrill
Prev Title:One of a Kind
Prev Year:1977
Next Title:Womanhood
Next Year:1978

"I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)" is a song written by Robert Seay and Dorval Lynn Smith that was originally recorded by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released as a single in 1978, reaching top 40 chart positions in both the United States and Canada. It was the first single off Wynette's 1978 album, Womanhood.

Background, release and chart performance

Tammy Wynette was considered among country music's most popular female artists during the 1960s and 1970s. She had 20 number one Billboard country singles. Until the end of 1970s, she had continuous commercial success.[2] [3] One of the singles Wynette recorded in the late 1970s was "I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)". Written by Robert Seay and Dorval Lynn Smith,[4] the song's story line was based on the late musical series, The Midnight Special.[1]

The song was recorded at Columbia Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee in a session produced by Billy Sherrill. It was released as a single by Epic Records in March 1978 backed by Wynette's self-penned track, "Love Doesn't Always Come (On The Night It's Needed)".[4] "I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)" peaked at number 26 on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1978. It was Wynette's first solo charting single to miss the Billboard country top 20.[3] In Canada, it reached number 27 on their RPM Country Songs chart.[5] It was released on Wynette's 1978 studio album, Womanhood.[1]

Track listing

7" vinyl single[4]

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)26
Canada Country Singles (RPM)27

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chadbourne . Eugene . Womanhood: Tammy Wynette: Songs, reviews, credits . . June 29, 2022.
  2. Web site: Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . Tammy Wynette Biography . . June 29, 2022.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

    . The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944–2006, Second edition. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research.

  4. Wynette . Tammy . "I'd Like to See Jesus (On the Midnight Special)"/"Love Doesn't Always Come (On the Night It's Needed)" (7" vinyl single) . . March 1978 . 8-50538.
  5. Web site: Search results for "Tammy Wynette" under Country Singles . . July 17, 2013 . December 8, 2019.