February 26

Cline, Lynn, Jones Ask “Why Can’t He Be You?”

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Cline, Lynn, Jones Ask "Why Can't He Be You?" 1
Patsy Cline/famoussingers.org
He takes me to the places you and I used to go,
tells me over and over that he loves me so,
gives me love that I never got from you,
loves me too, his love is true
Why can’t he be you
He never fails to call and tell me I’m on his mind
And I’m lucky to have such a guy; I hear it all the time
And he does all the things that you would never do
He loves me too, his love is true
Why can’t he be you
He’s not the one who dominates my mind and soul
And I should love him so, ’cause he loves me, I know
But his kisses leave me cold
He sends me flowers, calls on the hour, just to prove his love
And my friends say when he’s around, I’m all he speaks of
And he does all the things that you would never do
He loves me too, his love is true
Why can’t he be you
A song that hits men on comparing them to someone better… Simply, the narrator of this song (obviously a woman) wishes her man to be just like the man whom she is describing in the song.
Penned by Hank Cochran, “Why Can’t He Be You?” is a song originally recorded by American country artist Patsy Cline. It was released as the B-side to Cline’s 1962 single “Heartaches”. While the A-side reached a minor position on the Billboard Hot 100, “Why Can’t He Be You?” reached a peak position on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart, stalling at number seven. Although the song was not part of an official album, it appeared until the release of Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits record in 1967.

 To note, “Why Can’t He Be You?” has since been notably covered by Loretta Lynn and Norah Jones in 1977 and 2003, respectively.

Patsy Cline’s: The Original Version (1962)

Produced by Owen Bradley, Patsy Cline first recorded the song on September 5, 1962, at the Bradley Film and Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. In addition, among the other tracks recorded by Cline that day were the single “Leavin’ on Your Mind,” and the song “Your Kinda Love“.

Watch and sing this original Patsy Cline classic.

Loretta Lynn’s Version (1977)

Among the many covers of the song, American country music artist Loretta Lynn recorded the song and released it as a single in 1977. This was one of the tracks on her studio album of Patsy Cline covers, I Remember Patsy (1977).

Lynn recorded the song as a tribute to Patsy Cline because the pair had a close friendship.

“Why Can’t Be You?” was recorded at The Bradley’s Barn on September 28, 1976. Located in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, the session was produced by renowned country music producer Owen Bradley. Moreover, two additional tracks were recorded during this session. These were also covers of Cline’s music: “Back in Baby’s Arms” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind”.

The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Singles survey in 1977. Additionally, the song peaked at number six on the Canadian RPM Country Songs chart during this same period.

Watch Lynn’s version of this Patsy Cline song.

Norah Jones’ Version (2003)

Forty-one years after the original, and 26 years after Lynn’s, Norah Jones recorded “Why Can’t He Be You?” in 2003. She included it on her album, Remembering Patsy Cline. Although she twisted and rearranged the song lyrics, Jones still made it her own and gave justice to the song. For sure, she would have made the country legend and icon, Patsy Cline.

After Cline’s and Lynn’s, watch this Jones’ version of this classic.

Any thoughts folks? Tell us what you think. Don’t forget to like and share this post. Share the country spirit folks! For more country reads, visit our website, https://www.countrythangdaily.com/.

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Loretta Lynn, Norah Jones, Patsy Cline, Why Can't He Be You

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