Song Lyric Sunday – “Husbands & Wives” by Roger Miller & Others

Posted on November 22, 2020 by

25 Comments

This week Jim Adams has prompted us with choosing songs pertaining to Fiance’| Husband | Lover | Wife for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday. This week I chose a Roger Miller song called “Husbands and Wives”.

Husbands and Wives is a mid-tempo waltz in the key of C major. It is about a couple who is breaking up. With both parties having too much pride in themselves to reconcile.

“Husbands and Wifes was written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. It was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit, reaching # 10 on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts. Reached the Top 40 on the pop charts as well.

Wayne Newton covered the song in 1968 where it reached #28 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and #97 on Cash Box.

David Frizzell and Shelly West covered the song in 1981 as a duet. It reached the Top 20 on the country singles chart.

Brooks & Dunn covered the song on their 1998 album If You See Her, featuring lead vocals from Ronnie Dunn. It was the third single from this album, 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 #36 on the Billboards Hot 100. In addition, it peaked at #2 on the Canada Country Tracks.

“Husbands & Wifes”

Two broken hearts lonely looking like houses
Where nobody lives
Two people each having so much pride inside
Neither side forgives
The angry words spoken in haste
Such a waste of two lives
It's my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline
Of the number of husbands and wives
A woman and a man
A man and a woman
Some can and some can't and some can't
Two broken hearts lonely looking houses
Where nobody lives
Two people each having so much pride inside
Neither side forgives
The angry words spoken in haste
Such a waste of two lives
It's my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline
Of the number of husbands and wives
It's my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline
Of the number of husbands and wives
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Roger Miller
Husbands and Wives lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Category: music, Songs, Uncategorized, Writing PromptsTags: , , , , , , , , ,

25 Comments on “Song Lyric Sunday – “Husbands & Wives” by Roger Miller & Others”

  3. Thanks, Lisa, for your choice of artists singing a long-time favorite song of a lot of folks on The Third Rock. Notable performances, all. Though West and Frizzell are a personal favorite duet of mine–e.g., “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma”–the undeniable winner in this contest goes to Brooks and Dunn. “It’s my belief” there are next-to-no country singers out there that can even come close to Dunn’s exceptional–heck, dang-near unique–vocal pipes.

    Liked by 2 people

    • I agree with your entire assessment. I love Lefty and Dottie together too, but I think Brooks & Dunn were perfect with this song. They didn’t sing this at the concert I was at in 1993 seeing how it didn’t get released until 1998. Best concert I’ve ever attended. With that said, I never saw Garth Brooks in concert. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Once you get past “Chug A Lug” and “Dang Me,” Roger Miller was a great tunesmith. Known for his funny songs, he had a serious side, sort of. Anyone that knew Roger in his 1950s Fort Worth beer joint days said that he was the biggest cut-up in the business.

    Liked by 2 people

    • I love Roger so much and I’m from a small town just 35 miles northwest of Fort Worth. He was a crack-up! I’ll probably share more on him at a later time there might be an opportunity to do so. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • My father and Roger were good friends back in the FW country music days. There is a story on my blog about Roger and his duffus antics. Memories of Jacksboro Highway.

        Liked by 2 people

      • OMG! That is super cool! I was born in Bridgeport and grew up in Decatur. Family all over Wise County and surrounding counties. I’ll have to check that out on your blog and read the things I don’t know. I saw him a time or two when I was in Fort Worth.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Love Roger Miller’s songs, and so many have recorded this one – I’m surprised I’ve never heard it before! Kinda sad song though. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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