Sweet Thang Explained

Sweet Thang
Type:single
Artist:Nat Stuckey
Album:Nat Stuckey Really Sings
B-Side:Paralyze My Mind
Recorded:July 4, 1966
Studio:Brians Studio
Label:Paula
Prev Title:Don't You Believe Her
Prev Year:1966
Next Title:Oh! Woman
Next Year:1967

"Sweet Thang" is a song written and originally recorded by American country artist Nat Stuckey. It was Stuckey's first major hit as a music artist, peaking in the top ten of the national country music charts. In later years, it would notably be recorded by Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn.

Nat Stuckey version

The song was first record by Nat Stuckey shortly after signing a recording contract with the independent label Paula Records. The label was based out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Stuckey had also composed the song.[1] "Sweet Thang" was recorded at Brians Studio, located in Tyler, Texas. It took place on July 4, 1966 and co-produced by Stuckey and Frank Page. Additional tracks that later appeared on his debut album were also recorded in the same session.[2]

"Sweet Thang" was released as a single in August 1966 via Paula Records. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1966. The song became Stuckey's biggest hit as a music artist.[3] "Sweet Thang" appeared on his debut studio album, also released on Paula Records entitled Nat Stuckey Really Sings.[2] He would continue having major hits into the 1970s with songs such as "Plastic Saddle."[1]

Track listing

7" vinyl single[4]

Chart performance

Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn version

Sweet Thang
Type:single
Artist:Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn
Album:Singin' Again
B-Side:Beautiful, Unhappy Home
Recorded:December 21, 1966
Studio:Columbia Recording Studio
Label:Decca
Producer:Owen Bradley
Chronology:Ernest Tubb
Prev Title:Another Story, Another Time, Another Place
Prev Year:1966
Next Title:In the Jailhouse Now
Next Year:1967

"Sweet Thang" was notably recorded as a duet in 1967 by American country artists Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn. The song was recorded at the Columbia Recording Studio on December 21, 1966. The studio was located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions was produced by Owen Bradley. Bradley was both artists' producer on the Decca record label in the 1960s also produced their previous duet album release.[5]

"Sweet Thang" was released as a single in January 1967 via Decca Records.[6] It spent a total of nine weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart before reaching number 45 in April 1967.[7] "Sweet Thang" was then released on the duo's second studio release entitled Singin' Again.[5] The single was Lynn's first charting song that missed the top 40 on the country songs chart. This would not occur again until 1983.[3]

Track listings

7" vinyl single[8]

Chart performance

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kurutz . Steve . Nat Stuckey: Biography & History . . 18 September 2020.
  2. Stuckey . Nat . Nat Stuckey Really Sings (Liner Notes and Album Information) . Paul Records . 1966.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc.. 2008. 978-0-89820-177-2.
  4. Web site: Nat Stuckey -- "Sweet Thang" (1966, Vinyl) . . 1966 . 18 September 2020.
  5. Lynn . Loretta . Tubb . Ernest . Singin' Again (Album Info and Liner Notes) . . May 29, 1967.
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc.. 2008. 978-0-89820-177-2.
  7. "Sweet Thang" chart history . . 18 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn -- "Sweet Thang" (1967, Vinyl) . . 1967 . 18 September 2020.