Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
| "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "I'm Gonna Try to Be That Way" |
"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and first recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969. It was Stevens' first country chart hit, reaching number 55 on the country charts and number 81 on the pop top 100 in 1969. Kristofferson released his own version the following year, on his debut album, Kristofferson.[1] Johnny Cash also released a version of the song that year, on his live album The Johnny Cash Show. Cash's recording won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year in 1970 and hit number one on the country charts.[2] In 1974, Cash performed the song during an episode of Columbo (titled "Swan Song"). Shawn Mullins also recorded a version on his 1998 album Soul's Core.[3] In 2001 South African band Wonderboom (band) included a version on their EP "Rewind".[4] In 2006 punk rock group (and cover band) Me First And The Gimme Gimmes included a version on their album Love Their Country. Jerry Lee Lewis also did a version on his 2010 album Mean Old Man. Most recently it was featured on Willie Nelson's 2011 album Remember Me, Vol. 1.
Cash's single was edited from two performances on his variety series The Johnny Cash Show. As noted by Kristofferson, who was present in the studio audience, Cash was pressured by the network to change the line "I'm wishing Lord that I was stoned", but ultimately chose to sing the verse on air.[5]
In a 2013 interview, Kristofferson noted:
I'm just real grateful for that song because it opened up a whole a lot doors for me. So many people that I admired, admired it. Actually, it was the song that allowed me to quit working for a living.[6]
Chart performance
Ray Stevens
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 55 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 81 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 46 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 59 |
Johnny Cash
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 46 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 30 |
Cover versions
- Lynn Anderson – on her album Rose Garden (1970)
- Waylon Jennings – on his album The Taker/Tulsa (1971)
- Willie Nelson – on his album Sings Kristofferson (1979)
- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – on their album Love Their Country (2006)
References
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Kristofferson-Exp-Kris/dp/B000058T62
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 75.
- ^ "Soul's Core". Allmusic. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
- ^ https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/rewind/id588691527 Retrieved 7 January 2014
- ^ Commentary on DVD release The Johnny Cash TV Show 1969-1971, Sony Columbia Legacy, 2007
- ^ Kris Kristofferson On Writing For — And Outliving — His Idols
External links
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