“She’s Got You:” Who Sang It Better, Patsy or Loretta?

The great Patsy Cline has released some of the best classic country tunes that we’ve ever heard. Her hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Walk After Midnight” are just some that fans love to listen to. However, one Cline song that fans forget is her 1962 hit, “She’s Got You.” Although it is a pop song, “She’s Got You” still clings on to Cline’s country roots. It is an upbeat jazz-pop with country overtones to support it.

Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You”

Recorded in 1961 and released the following year, “She’s Got You” was conceived by country music singer-songwriter Hank Cochran. Popularly recorded and made famous by Patsy Cline, the song became a part of her third studio album, Sentimentally Yours.

The inspiration of Cochran in writing the song was revealed in Ellis Nassour’s biography Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline. According to the biography, Cochran remembers calling Cline and telling her that he’d just written her next No. 1 hit. In response, Cline told him to come over to her house with a bottle of liquor and play it on guitar for her and her friend Dottie West who was visiting that afternoon.

Furthermore, Cline was emotionally moved by its lyrics and loved the song so much. Hence, she eagerly learned it that night and called up her manager and producer to sing it to them over the phone.

“She’s Got You” centers on the material possessions of a lost love:

I’ve got the records that we used to share

And they still sound the same, as when you were here

The only thing different, the only thing new

I’ve got the records … she’s got you.

Moreover, “She’s Got You” came into existence as a follow-up single to her previous big hits, “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.”

After its release, it immediately entered the Billboard Hot C&W Sides in the first quarter of 1962. Eventually, it charted at No. 1 on the same chart. Meanwhile, it penetrated the pop charts, placing at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Watch Patsy Cline render “She’s Got You” here:

Loretta Lynn Covers “She’s Got You”

In 1977, fellow country artist and Cline’s friend Loretta Lynn remade the song and it charted at No. 1 on the country charts. It was made in honor of Cline as a part of her tribute album, I Remember Patsy.

Loretta did an incredible version making the song her own. Her intentions were true and remembering her friend through the song truly exuded in her performance.

Check out Loretta’s incredible rendition of Patsy’s hit: