There was a time when Top 40 radio played everything including pop, R&B, and country. In 1970, Lynn Anderson scored a huge country hit that “crossed over” with “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” I was sorry to hear that she has passed away from a heart attack at age 67. She was a young star.
Later she had another cross over with the Carpenters song “Top of the World.” Listen to that original hit. It sounds as fresh today as it did then. Before radio fractured into the mess it is today, Lynn, Charlie Rich, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gale, BJ Thomas, and so many others were a welcome presence on the “dial.”
“Rose Garden” was written by the late great Joe South, who gave Anderson many other country hits. He also had hit one smash hit singing “Games People Play.”
