I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know

"I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" (sometimes "I've Forgotten More Than You'll Ever Know About Him") is a song, written by Cecil Null.[1]

"I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know"
Single by The Davis Sisters
from the album Memories
B-side"Rockabye Boogie"
Released1953
Recorded1953
GenreCountry
Length2:16
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Cecil Null
Producer(s)Stephen Sholes

Song background

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The song was one of five tracks recorded (including two versions of the "B" side, "Rockabye Boogie") on May 23, 1953. The musicians for the sessions were Chet Atkins, lead guitar; Velma E. Williams Smith, guitar; Jerry Byrd, steel guitar; Ernie Newton, bass; and Hal Smith, fiddle. The session, The Davis Sisters' first in Nashville, Tennessee was recorded at Thomas Productions.

The song tells the story of the ex-girlfriend of a young man warning his smug, ruthless current flame who stole him away that she'll lose him too one day "when his love goes cold." The song is sung completely in duet harmony by Skeeter and Betty Jack with the exception of the lines "You stole his love from me one day, you didn't care how you hurt me, but you can never steal away memories of what used to be" which is sung by Betty Jack.

Chart performance

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The song was a number one country music single for The Davis Sisters in 1953. It was the first hit for the duo of Skeeter Davis and Betty Jack Davis, and also their only one, as Betty Jack was killed in an automobile accident the week the record was released.

"I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" was a blockbuster hit, the only number one country song by a female duet until the rise of The Judds some thirty years later. The song stayed at number one on the country charts for eight weeks.[2] It ranks among the top 100 country hits of all time according to chart historian Joel Whitburn.

Cover versions

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Many artists have recorded versions of the song including:

"I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know"
Song by Bob Dylan
from the album Self Portrait
ReleasedJune 8, 1970
GenreRock, folk rock
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)C.A. Null
Producer(s)Bob Johnston

References

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  1. ^ "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know Lyrics". Lyrics.com. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 101.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 423.