The 70's Game: Rose Garden vs. Happiest Girl

[Rick Henry]

"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson - This song reached #3 in February 1971 and was certified Gold for selling over a million copies.

In 1970, things dramatically changed for Lynn Anderson. She signed with Columbia Records that year and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She recorded a number of songs in the studio during this time that would soon become hits, starting with "Stay There 'Til I Get There", her first top 10 single with Columbia. That same year, she recorded and released the single "Rose Garden". The song was written by Joe South. South had recorded his own version of the song originally on his 1969 Introrespect album, but it failed to gain success. However, Anderson loved the song and was determined to record it. Though, Columbia records didn't think the song was appropriate for a female to sing, being it contained the lines "I could promise you things, like big diamond rings..", but Anderson ended up recording it anyway. Nobody expected that the song would become such monster hit. "Rose Garden" became the biggest hit of Anderson's career and her signature song. The song was also a hit in fifteen countries around the world. The song made Anderson a household name.

In 1971, she was presented with a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Rose Garden". Joe South also won a Grammy for writing the song.

"The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A." by Donna Fargo - Fargo reached #11 with this song in July 1972 and was certified Gold for selling more than a million copies.

In 1971, Donna Fargo wrote and recorded the song "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA". In 1972, the single was picked up by Dot Records and released. It quickly became a #1 Country hit and went to #11 on the Pop charts and #7 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The song made Fargo a household name and sold over a million copies. In 1972, she won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (for "Happiest Girl...") and the Country Music Association "Single of the Year" award for the record.

The Academy of Country Music awarded her as well, as she won four trophies, including Top Female Vocalist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year.

"Happiest Girl..." was Donna fargo's debut record - she started things off with a bang!

Which song are voting into the semi-finals?

[smoothie2]

Always liked both songs, but R.Garden gets my vote. It's an upbeat song even tho the message is a bit sad as far as it sounds like a lover's quarrel. Lynn An. was/is really made it big for R. Garden and seems she always had a great smile.
Lawrence Welk, I think had her as a guest on his show which was a bit unusual.
I recently saw the Welk show recently and 3 of his "regular" girls
sang R. Garden and i really enjoyed it.
Donna Fargo developed some type of nerve disease quite some yrs. back but not sure what it is.

[GoodOldDreams]

For me the obvious choice is Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden." I have always enjoyed Lynn's crystal-clear voice backed up by the rich vocal harmonies and the sound of strings gliding sinuously and then skipping along playfully. The lyrics reflect a more realistic look at romantic love — dare I mix the two metaphors — not idealized through "rose"-tinted glasses, but appreciated for what it is in day-to-day life.

[Rick Henry]

My choice is also Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden". But I also really like Donna Fargo's "The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.".

Has anybody heard k.d. lang's recording of "Rose Garden"? She did a fantastic job with the song.

[wisejester7]

"Rose Garden" gets my vote.





I never much cared for "Happiest Girl".

[abbafanusa]

I'm with everyone else, "Rose Garden" is a fabulous song!! I still play if frequently.
And do any of you remember the song "I Beg Your Pardon" by Kon Kan that sampled it?

[Rick Henry]

abbafanusa said:

I'm with everyone else, "Rose Garden" is a fabulous song!! I still play if frequently.
And do any of you remember the song "I Beg Your Pardon" by Kon Kan that sampled it?

I remember Kon Kan's "I Beg Your Pardon". It was a popular club hit in the late 80's and early 90's. I always loved hearing it for it's sample of "Rose Garden". The vocal in Kon Kan's sample sounded similar to k.d. lang's vocal in her recording of the song. k.d. turned the song into what was termed as "cowpunk".

[YesterdayOnceMore]

"...I beg your pardon....I NEVER promised you a Rose Garden..."



Never really liked the song, but it's so much better than the alternative in this game. NEVER cared for Happiest Girl.



ROSE GARDEN GETS MY VOTE
Tim

[Rick Henry]

By unanimous vote "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson will go to the next semi-finals.

This round is now officially closed.