Woman of the World/To Make a Man explained

Woman of the World/To Make a Man
Type:Studio album
Artist:Loretta Lynn
Cover:Loretta Lynn-Woman of the World.jpg
Released:July 7, 1969
Recorded:November 18, 1968–May 28, 1969
Studio:Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Genre:Country
Length:29:12
Label:Decca
Producer:Owen Bradley
Prev Title:If We Put Our Heads Together
Prev Year:1969
Next Title:Here's Loretta Singing "Wings Upon Your Horns"
Next Year:1970

Woman of the World/To Make a Man is the fourteenth solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on July 7, 1969, by Decca Records.[1]

The album includes a cover of "Stand by Your Man", originally by Tammy Wynette, who was Lynn's biggest rival at the time. Lynn also recorded other covers for the album, including Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" and Brenda Lee's "Johnny One Time".

Critical reception

Billboard published a review of the album in the issue dated July 19, 1969, which said, "Loretta Lynn has no peers when it comes to convincing with a song; the unique substance of her voice tingles in your mind long after the last note. And when she sings her hit "Woman of the World", watch out—it's pure power. Her big single, "To Make a Man" is here too. And her versions of "Johnny One Note" and "No One Will Ever Know" are emotion-packed nerve jarrers."[2]

In the July 19 issue, Cashbox published a review that said, "Loretta Lynn's recent country chart topperlends its title to a set packed with feelingful vocals and some mighty pretty ballads. Strong sales inevitable on session that includes "Johnny One Time", "No One Will Ever Know", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Stand by Your Man" and "I'm Lonesome for Trouble Tonight". To be watched closely."[3]

AllMusic gave the album an average rating, saying, "a couple of misfire tracks keep this from being the best of this country singing queen's many fine albums for this label." The website gave the album three out of five stars.

Commercial performance

The album peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country LP's chart and at No. 148 on the US Billboard Top LP's chart.

The lead single, "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)", was released in February 1969[4] and peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles. The second single, "To Make a Man (Feel Like a Man)", was released in June 1969 and peaked at No. 3.

Recording

Recording sessions for the album took place over four sessions at Bradley's Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, beginning on April 2, 1969. Three additional sessions followed on April 9 (yielding six of the album's eleven songs), May 14 and May 28. "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)" was recorded during the November 18, 1968 session for 1969's Your Squaw Is on the Warpath.[5]

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes and Decca recording session records.[5]

Charts

Album

Chart (1969)Peak
position
US Hot Country LP's (Billboard)[6] 2
US Top LP's (Billboard)[7] 148

Singles

TitleYearPeak position
US
Country

[8]
CAN
Country

[9]
"Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)"19691
"To Make a Man (Feel Like a Man)"34

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Loretta Lynn – Woman Of The World / To Make A Man. Discogs.
  2. Web site: Billboard - July 19, 1969 . American Radio History . Billboard . 7 July 2018.
  3. Web site: Cashbox - July 19, 1969 . American Radio History . Cashbox . 18 April 2019.
  4. Web site: Billboard - February 15, 1969 . American Radio History . Billboard . 18 April 2019.
  5. Web site: Loretta's Recording Sess. LORETTA LYNN FAN WEBSITE.
  6. Web site: Loretta Lynn Chart History - Hot Country Albums . Billboard . 8 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Loretta Lynn Chart History - Billboard 200 . Billboard . 17 April 2019.
  8. Web site: Loretta Lynn Chart History - Hot Country Songs . Billboard . 8 July 2018.
  9. Web site: Canada . Library and Archives . Results: RPM Weekly . www.bac-lac.gc.ca . 20 April 2019 . 17 July 2013.