If Teardrops Were Silver
"If Teardrops Were Silver" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Jean Shepard | ||||
from the album Heart, We Did All That We Could | ||||
B-side | "Outstanding in Your Field" | |||
Released | June 1966 | |||
Recorded | December 1965 | |||
Studio | Columbia Studio | |||
Genre | Country[1] | |||
Length | 2:07 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | Don Wayne | |||
Producer(s) | Marvin Hughes | |||
Jean Shepard singles chronology | ||||
|
"If Teardrops Were Silver" is a song written by Don Wayne that was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released as a single by Capitol Records in 1966, reaching the US country top ten that year. It received positive responses from Cashbox and Record World magazines. It was included on her 1967 studio album of a Heart, We Did All That We Could.
Background, recording and content
Jean Shepard had nearly 20 years of commercial success in the country field, beginning in the 1950s honky tonk era. She topped the charts with Ferlin Husky on "A Dear John Letter" and reached the top ten as a solo artist with "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies". After several years of declining popularity she had a comeback in 1964 with the top ten single "Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)". A series of top 40 singles followed in the 1960s, including the top ten recording "If Teardrops Were Silver"[2] The ballad's theme centered on heartbreak[3] and was composed by Don Wayne. The song was produced by Marvin Hughes in December 1965 at the Columbia Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.[4]
Release, critical reception and chart performance
"If Teardrops Were Silver" was released as a single by Capitol Records in June 1966. It was distributed by the label as a seven-inch vinyl single. On its B-side was the song "Outstanding in Your Field".[4] It received positive reception from Cash Box magazine who called the song "very pretty" and "bittersweet".[3] Record World also praised the tune, writing, "Clever torch song should turn in to one of Jean's biggest to date. Pretty song,pretty singing."[5] "If Teardrops Were Silver" reached number ten on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It became her eighth single to place in the Billboard country top ten.[6] In 1967, it was included on her studio album Heart, We Did All That We Could.[7]
Track listings
- 7" vinyl single[4]
- "If Teardrops Were Silver" – 2:07
- "Outstanding in Your Field" – 2:17
Charts
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 10 |
References
- ^ "SPOTLIGHT SINGLES: Country Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. February 1966. p. 16. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Dan. "Jean Shepard Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "THE CASH BOX BULLSEYE" (PDF). Cash Box: 168. July 2, 1966. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Shepard, Jean (June 1966). ""If Teardrops Were Silver"/"Outstanding in Your Field" (7" vinyl single)". Capitol Records. 5681.
- ^ "COUNTRY SINGLE REVIEWS" (PDF). Record World. July 2, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research.
- ^ Shepard, Jean (March 1967). "Heart, We Did All That We Could (Liner Notes)". Capitol Records. T-2690 (Mono); ST-2690 (Stereo).
- ^ "Jean Shepard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- v
- t
- e
- Songs of a Love Affair
- Lonesome Love
- Got You on My Mind
- Heartaches and Tears
- Lighthearted and Blue
- It's a Man Every Time
- Many Happy Hangovers
- I'll Take the Dog (with Ray Pillow)
- Heart, We Did All That We Could
- Your Forevers Don't Last Very Long
- Heart to Heart
- A Real Good Woman
- Seven Lonely Days
- Best by Request
- A Woman's Hand
- Here & Now
- Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You
- Just Like Walkin' in the Sunshine
- Slippin' Away
- I'll Do Anything It Takes
- Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs
- I'm a Believer
- Mercy, Ain't Love Good
- Stars of the Grand Ole Opry
- "A Dear John Letter"
- "Forgive Me, John"
- "A Satisfied Mind"
- "Take Possession"
- "I Thought of You"
- "Beautiful Lies"
- "I Want to Go Where No One Knows Me"
- "Have Heart, Will Love"
- "Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)"
- "Two Little Boys"
- "A Tear Dropped By"
- "Someone's Gotta Cry"
- "Many Happy Hangovers to You"
- "I'll Take the Dog"
- "If Teardrops Were Silver"
- "Heart, We Did All That We Could"
- "Your Forevers (Don't Last Very Long)"
- "I Don't See How I Can Make It"
- "A Real Good Woman"
- "Seven Lonely Days"
- "Then He Touched Me"
- "A Woman's Hand"
- "I Want You Free"
- "Another Lonely Night"
- "With His Hand in Mine"
- "Slippin' Away"
- "Come on Phone"
- "At the Time"
- "I'll Do Anything It Takes (To Stay with You)"
- "Poor Sweet Baby"
- "The Tip of My Fingers"
- "Another Neon Night"