Kentucky Woman

"Kentucky Woman"
Song
B-side	"Wring That Neck"

"Kentucky Woman" is a 1967 song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond. It is also well-known for a 1968 recording by Deep Purple.

Diamond recorded "Kentucky Woman" as his last hit single for Bang Records. Released in October 1967, it reached number 22 on the U.S. pop singles chart.

Recorded with vastly different instrumental feel if not vocal line, by Deep Purple it was their second single release in 1968. Although not as high charting as "Hush" in the U.K. or the States (making number 38 in the latter), it did reach top 20 chart status in Australia; this was Deep Purple's first major hit in that country.

At the time of its original airplay, "Kentucky Woman" was considered one of the first heavy metal songs to emerge on the radio scene.

The single version is an edit of the album version, and is four minutes and four seconds in length.

"Kentucky Woman" was played live on tour in 1968 and 1969, even after Ian Gillan joined Deep Purple in the summer of 1969. It has has never been on Deep Purple's set list since.

The song, however, remains a frequent appearancer in Neil Diamond's shows.

Waylon Jennings also released a version on his 1968 album Only the Greatest.