Husbands and Wives (song)

"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.

"Husbands and Wives"
Single by Roger Miller
from the album Words and Music
B-side"I've Been a Long Time Leavin' (But I'll Be a Long Time Gone)"
ReleasedFebruary 1966
GenreCountry
Length2:23
LabelSmash
Songwriter(s)Roger Miller
Producer(s)Jerry Kennedy
Roger Miller singles chronology
"England Swings"
(1966)		 "Husbands and Wives"
(1966)		 "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd"
(1966)

Content

"Husbands and Wives" is a mid-tempo waltz in the key of C major. In it, the narrator makes observations on a couple who is breaking up ("Two broken hearts, lonely, looking like houses / Where nobody lives"). He then suggests that the relationship is strained because those involved have too much pride in themselves ("It's my belief pride is the chief cause in the decline / In the number of husbands and wives").

Roger Miller version

Roger Miller recorded the song in 1966 for his album Words and Music,[1] releasing it as the album's first single. It was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top 5 on the country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its b-side, "I've Been a Long Time Leavin' (But I'll Be a Long Time Gone)," peaked at #13 on the country charts.[2]

Wayne Newton cover

Wayne Newton recorded "Husbands and Wives" in 1968. It was a minor hit for him, reaching #28 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart, as well as #97 on Cash Box.

Chart history
Peter Lotis
Chart (1964) Peak
position
South Africa (Springbok)[3][4] 1
Roger Miller
Chart (1966) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 26
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[7] 2
Canadian RPM Top Singles 14
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary 10
Wayne Newton
Chart (1968–69) Peak
position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] 28
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 97

David Frizzell and Shelly West version
"Husbands and Wives"
Single by David Frizzell and Shelly West
from the album Carryin' On the Family Names
B-sideYours for the Asking"
ReleasedOctober 1981
GenreCountry
Length2:39
LabelWarner Bros. Nashville
Songwriter(s)Roger Miller
Producer(s)Snuff Garrett, Steve Dorff
David Frizzell and Shelly West singles chronology
"A Texas State of Mind"
(1981)		 "Husbands and Wives"
(1981)		 "Another Honky-Tonk Night on Broadway"
(1982)

David Frizzell and Shelly West covered the song on their 1981 duets album Carryin' On the Family Names, and released it as the album's third and final single. Their version reached the Top 20 on the country singles chart.

Chart history
Chart (1981) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 38

Brooks & Dunn version
"Husbands and Wives"
Single by Brooks & Dunn
from the album If You See Her
B-side"How Long Gone"
ReleasedSeptember 28, 1998
GenreCountry
Length3:10
LabelArista Nashville 13143
Songwriter(s)Roger Miller
Producer(s)Don Cook, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn
Brooks & Dunn singles chronology
"How Long Gone"
(1998)		 "Husbands and Wives"
(1998)		 "I Can't Get Over You"
(1999)

Country music duo Brooks & Dunn covered the song on their 1998 album If You See Her. Featuring lead vocals from Ronnie Dunn,[9] their version was the album's third single, 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 No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chart history

"Husbands and Wives" debuted at number 64 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of September 26, 1998.

Chart (1998–99) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 36
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1999) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 75

References
  1. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Words and Music review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  3. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1964". Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  4. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  5. "Roger Miller Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "Roger Miller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "Roger Miller Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  8. "Wayne Newton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  9. Pendragon, Jana. "If You See Her review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  10. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6992." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 11, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  11. "Brooks & Dunn Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. "Brooks & Dunn Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  13. "Best of 1999: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
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