There’s nothing more painful than a girlfriend breaking up with you miles away while you are fighting in a war. Imagine the bittersweet feeling and agony that it will lead you to — wretched and alone.
Speaking of breaking hearts, Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare released a cover of “A Dear John Letter” in March 1965 for their debut album, Tunes for Two. Davis’ dreamy vocals were placed alongside Bare’s recitation instead of harmony. Their smooth vocal textures were combined together pleasingly, making the song enjoyable despite its heartbreaking message.
The song was originally recorded by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard in 1953 and was a country-pop hit at the time. Davis and Bare’s version, on the other hand, also earned its success by making their first hit together to reach No. 11 on the US Billboard Country Charts. “Your Husband, My Wife” (1970) was their second single to climb the charts at No. 5.
As a response to “Dear John,” the duo also recorded Husky and Shepard’s original called “Forgive Me, John.”
For You
Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s “A Dear John Letter,” A Classic Achy-Breaky Anthem
“A Dear John Letter,” or “Dear John,” was penned by Billy Barton, Fuzzy Owen, and Lewis Talley. Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s version of the song is notable for its simplistic chord progression that soothingly tells a heartbreaking story of infidelity. Their remake of the song was a timely tune during the Vietnam War for it narrates the tale of a woman named Jean who wrote her distant lover John, a soldier who is at war, a confession letter that she no longer loves him.
In the song, Jean expresses her sorrow that her love for John has withered “like grass upon the lawn.” She then informs him that she will marry someone else that very night, who ends up to be John’s brother. Bare sings the recital in the song, narrating that John was overseas in battle when a postman came. He seemed excited to receive the letter at first but as Jean demands that he send back her picture, he is left heartbroken and in despair after discovering the truth.
Davis and Bare’s remake of the song captures its simple, poignant melody, which deals with love and betrayal. It makes it an enduring favorite for classic country fans today.
Let Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s Cover of “A Dear John Letter” take you back in time to a heartbreaking love story.
