Then and Only Then
Encyclopedia
"Then and Only Then" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded by American country
artist, Connie Smith
. It was produced by Bob Ferguson
and released on her self-titled debut album
that year. The song was released in January 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart in early 1965, becoming her second major hit. It was her follow-up single to her multi-week number one hit, "Once a Day
," which was released the previous year.
on November 18, 1964. Produced by Bob Ferguson
, the session featured Nashville's "A-Team" of musicians, including members of Anderson's backing band, The Po' Boys. "Then and Only Then"'s storyline describes how a woman's lover has temporarily left her, but said that he would return. The female narrator forgets when he will be returning and later says that when he returns, "then and only then" she will stop crying. The song's chorus further explains the storyline:
"Then and Only Then" has since been recorded by American country singer, Loretta Lynn
for her 1965 studio album, Blue Kentucky Girl
. In the song's original recording, Smith is featured not only singing the lead vocals, but also playing the guitar accompaniment, as she did for her previous single.
." The song was issued to radio in January 1965, becoming a major hit shortly afterwards, reaching #4 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs
chart, while peaking outside the Billboard Top Pop 100
, reaching #116. The B-side of the single, "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio," also charted the country music list as well, peaking at #25 during the same time. "Then and Only Then" would be a series of singles written by Bill Anderson over the next few years. The other singles written by Anderson would also include "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)" and "Cincinnati, Ohio
."
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist, Connie Smith
Connie Smith
Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
. It was produced by Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson (music)
Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...
and released on her self-titled debut album
Connie Smith (album)
- Personnel :* Steve Arnold – bass* Marl Casstevens – guitar* Stuart Duncan – fiddle* Gary Hogue – steel guitar* Larry Marrs – background vocals, bass* Michael Rhodes – bass* Connie Smith – lead vocals* Gary W...
that year. The song was released in January 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart in early 1965, becoming her second major hit. It was her follow-up single to her multi-week number one hit, "Once a Day
Once a Day
"Once a Day" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded as the debut single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson for her self-titled debut album. The song was released in August 1964, topping the Billboard country music chart for eight weeks between late...
," which was released the previous year.
Background and content
"Then and Only Then" was a series of hit songs written by Bill Anderson for Connie Smith. It was recorded at RCA Victor Records' Studio B in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
on November 18, 1964. Produced by Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson (music)
Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...
, the session featured Nashville's "A-Team" of musicians, including members of Anderson's backing band, The Po' Boys. "Then and Only Then"'s storyline describes how a woman's lover has temporarily left her, but said that he would return. The female narrator forgets when he will be returning and later says that when he returns, "then and only then" she will stop crying. The song's chorus further explains the storyline:
- For then and only then will I stop cryin'
- And this achin', breakin' heart of mine will mend
- Not until I feel your arms around me
- Will I be happy and I live for then and only then
"Then and Only Then" has since been recorded by American country singer, Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
for her 1965 studio album, Blue Kentucky Girl
Blue Kentucky Girl (Loretta Lynn album)
Blue Kentucky Girl is a 1965 studio album by American country singer-songwriter, Loretta Lynn.The album was released off of Decca Records in 1965 and was Lynn's third studio album of the year and her fourth solo album up to that point. The album's title track was the song's only single and peaked...
. In the song's original recording, Smith is featured not only singing the lead vocals, but also playing the guitar accompaniment, as she did for her previous single.
Chart performance
"Then and Only Then" was Smith's second single released on RCA Victor Records and her follow-up to her last hit, "Once a DayOnce a Day
"Once a Day" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded as the debut single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson for her self-titled debut album. The song was released in August 1964, topping the Billboard country music chart for eight weeks between late...
." The song was issued to radio in January 1965, becoming a major hit shortly afterwards, reaching #4 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart, while peaking outside the Billboard Top Pop 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, reaching #116. The B-side of the single, "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio," also charted the country music list as well, peaking at #25 during the same time. "Then and Only Then" would be a series of singles written by Bill Anderson over the next few years. The other singles written by Anderson would also include "Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You)" and "Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio (song)
"Cincinnati, Ohio" is the name of a country music song released by Connie Smith in 1967.During this time, in Connie Smith's career, she was at her very peak and was releasing various hit singles on the country charts every year. Since her release of her #1 hit "Once a Day" in 1964 she was one of...
."
Charts
| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
4 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 16 |