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Sweet Music Man
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Wikipedia article
'"Sweet Music Man"' is a song written and recorded by American musician Kenny Rogers. It appears on his 1977 album 'Daytime Friends', from which it was released as the final single.
History
In 1977, the song reached number 9 on the country music charts published by 'Billboard', and number 44 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. The song was a number one hit on the Canadian country and adult contemporary charts published by 'RPM', reaching its peak on both charts for the week of December 31, 1977. Rogers used the song as a b-side to two of his later singles: "Lady" in 1980 and "You Were a Good Friend" in 1983.
Later in 1977, Dolly Parton included the song on her 'Here You Come Again' album (Parton and Alison Krauss performed the song together at the 2010 concert at Foxwoods Casino honoring Rogers' fifty years in entertainment); Reba McEntire covered the song in 2001 on her album 'Greatest Hits Volume III: I'm a Survivor'. Her version was also released as a single, reaching number 36 on the country music charts. At the time, it was her lowest-peaking single since "(I Still Long to Hold You) Now and Then" in 1980.Whitburn, p. 271
Through the years the song has been covered by numerous other artists, including Tammy Wynette, Dottie West, Billie Jo Spears, Waylon Jennings, Anne Murray, Johnny Hallyday and Millie Jackson.
Critical reception
Kenny Rogers version
Kip Kirby, of 'Billboard' magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "first rate singing job from Rogers and pop-oriented production should ensure the chances of this song to register in both country and pop formats." She goes on to say that the song contains "excellent guitar work, cascading strings and Rogers' vocal ability to help the song build to a pleasing climax."'Billboard', October 15, 1977Chart performance
Kenny Rogers
Millie Jackson
Reba McEntire
References
Category:1977 singles
Category:1978 singles
Category:2002 singles
Category:Kenny Rogers songs
Category:Millie Jackson songs
Category:Reba McEntire songs
Category:Songs written by Kenny Rogers
Category:Song recordings produced by Larry Butler (producer)
Category:United Artists Records singles
Category:MCA Nashville Records singles
Category:1977 songs
Category:Songs about music
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