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
25 responses to “Song Lyric Sunday – “Husbands & Wives” by Roger Miller & Others”
Great song, you put a lot of work into this, some many versions 💜
My thoughts too Willow – I think that Brooks and Dunn’s my favourite version. 😊
I think I have to go with you there too 💜
You ladies are have great taste! 🙂
😊💜
Thanks so much Laura! I appreciate it. I saw Brooks & Dunn in concert in 1993 and it was the best concert I’ve ever been to. 🙂
Thanks Willow. It was actually one of the easiest ones I’ve done. The research was pretty quick. I felt like I didn’t give it my all so thank you for saying that. I’m so busy with the shop right now, it’s a good thing breathing is on auto-pilot. I don’t have time to do that right now. LOL! 🙂
I am so glad that your business is going well in these covid times it’s good to hear.💜
Thanks Willow! It has picked up and I hope it just keeps going. I’m tired and Christmas isn’t even here yet! 🙂
No , but this time next month it will all be over! 😊💜
Yes it will be. I got one of my Christmas trees up yesterday. I will decorate it today and start building the foundation for my village. I have 3 new pieces this year so I’m super excited. Thinking of you! 🙂
I liked all the different versions, this is a beautiful song.
Thanks Jim! I love the song and thought it was perfect for the prompt! Can’t wait for this next week! Already have my song picked out. 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
Great pick, loved all the covers
Thanks Jill! I loved Brooks & Dunn in concert even though this song was even thought about. That was 1993, front row and backstage passes. Hell yeah! LOL 🙂
Woo-Hoo!! Sounds like awesome experience
It was incredible! Met Aaron Tippin the same night too. I got a kiss on the lips! Whoa!!! LOL! 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
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.
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.
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. 🙂
Thanks Barbara. I was going to do D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette but that was even more sad. LOL! 🙂