"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.
Content
"Husbands and Wives" is a mid-tempo waltz in the key of C major. In it, the narrator makes observations on a couple who is breaking up ("Two broken hearts, lonely, looking like houses / Where nobody lives"). He then suggests that the relationship is strained because those involved have too much pride in themselves ("It's my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline / In the number of husbands and wives").
Roger Miller version
Roger Miller recorded the song in 1966 for his album Words and Music,[1] releasing it as the album's first single. It was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top 5 on the country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its b-side, "I've Been a Long Time Leavin' (But I'll Be a Long Time Gone)," peaked at #13 on the country charts.[2]
Wayne Newton cover
Wayne Newton recorded "Husbands and Wives" in 1968. It was a minor hit for him, reaching #28 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart, as well as #97 on Cash Box.
Chart history
- Peter Lotis
| Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Africa (Springbok)[3][4] | 1 |
- Roger Miller
| Chart (1966) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 26 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[7] | 2 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 14 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 10 |
- Wayne Newton
| Chart (1968–1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] | 28 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 97 |
David Frizzell and Shelly West version
David Frizzell and Shelly West covered the song on their 1981 duets album Carryin' On the Family Names, and released it as the album's third and final single. Their version reached the Top 20 on the country singles chart.
Chart history
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 16 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 38 |
Brooks & Dunn version
Country music duo Brooks & Dunn covered the song on their 1998 album If You See Her. Featuring lead vocals from Ronnie Dunn,[9] their version was the album's third single, reaching the top of the country singles chart in December 1998. It was also their first Top 40 hit on the pop charts, peaking at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chart history
"Husbands and Wives" debuted at number 64 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of September 26, 1998.
| Chart (1998–1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 36 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 75 |
References
- ^ Chadbourne, Eugene. "Words and Music review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1964". Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Roger Miller Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Roger Miller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Roger Miller Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Wayne Newton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ Pendragon, Jana. "If You See Her review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6992." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 11, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ "Brooks & Dunn Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Brooks & Dunn Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 1999: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
