Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House
| "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Garth Brooks | ||||
| from the album No Fences | ||||
| B-side | "Unanswered Prayers" | |||
| Released | January 24, 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1990 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:31 | |||
| Label | Capitol Nashville 44701 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dennis Robbins, Bobby Boyd, Warren Haynes | |||
| Producer(s) | Allen Reynolds | |||
| Garth Brooks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" is a song co-written by Warren Haynes, Dennis Robbins and Bobby Boyd. It was originally recorded by Robbins himself in 1987 for MCA Records and charted at number 71 on the Billboard country charts. The B-side to Robbins' version was "The Church on Cumberland Road," which was later a number one hit in 1989 for Shenandoah.[1]
The song was later recorded by American country music artist Garth Brooks for his album No Fences in 1991. His rendition was released as the album's third single and his fifth consecutive number one hit.
Content
The song is a moderate up-tempo with a fiddle intro. Its lyrics describe the relationship between the narrator and his wife, whom he considers a perfect complement. The title is a double entendre, using poker hands to describe how well the couple complements each other, and that they plan to have children.
In his book Redneck Liberation: Country Music as Theology, author David Fillingim cited "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" as an "upbeat honky-tonk romp" that showed his "more traditional country music styles".[2]
Background and Production
Garth Brooks Version
Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes from The Hits:
This song came to me through Jon Northrup. He was doing a demo deal, and "Two of a Kind" was one of the four songs he was pitching for a demo. When I heard it, I said, "I wish you all the luck on your deal, but if for some reason it falls through, I'd love to have this." He called me three months later and told me I could have it if I wanted it. I immediately cut it. And to this day, even though it's a small, light-hearted song, it's one of the strongest parts of our live show. People just seem to connect with this song. This is a big point to writers and artists out there, especially myself, that sometimes intense gets the point across, but don't forget to show 'em your sense of humor.[3]
Chart positions
Dennis Robbins Version
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 71 |
Garth Brooks Version
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] | 1 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] | 19 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 15 |
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 354. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Fillingim, David (2003). Redneck Liberation. Mercer University Press. p. 80. ISBN 0-86554-896-X.
- ^ Garth Brooks - The Hits: transcription from the CD booklet (bar code 7-2438-29689-2-4)
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1490." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 13, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1991: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
