I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before)

I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before) contained eleven tracks (as did her past three albums for the Columbia label), including cover versions of Harlan Howard's "The Key's in the Mailbox" and Tom T. Hall's "Never Having You."[1] The album was recorded at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee in 1974 and was her second and final album that was released that year. The album was issued on a 12-inch LP album, with six songs on the first side of the record and five songs on the other side of the record. The album has not been reissued since its original release on vinyl under Columbia in 1974.[2]

I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before) spawned one single, the title track. Release in June 1974, the song (written by Sanger D. Shafer) became a major hit on the Country chart in the United States, reaching #13 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs chart. The album itself also charted. Released in August 1974, I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before) peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Smith's highest-charting album since 1973's God Is Abundant.[3]

• Dorothy Delenoibus – background vocals
• Ray Edenton – rhythm guitar
• Johnny Gimble – fiddle, mandolin
• Lloyd Green – dobro, steel guitar
• Holladay Sisters – background vocals
• The Jordanaires – background vocals
• Shane Keister – keyboards
• Kenny Malone – drums
• Grady Martin – guitar
• Charlie McCoy – harmonica, vibes
• Bob Moore – bass
• Laverna Moore – background vocals
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins – organ, piano
• Connie Smith – lead vocals
• Bobby Thompson – banjo
• Chip Young – rhythm guitar

Album

Singles