"With His Hand in Mine" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single in 1971, it reached the top 40 of the US country songs chart. It was later included on her 1971 album Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You and received reviews from two music publications following its release.
| "With His Hand in Mine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Jean Shepard | ||||
| from the album Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You | ||||
| B-side | "Just Plain Lonely" | |||
| Released | January 1971 | |||
| Recorded | August 1970 | |||
| Studio | Jack Clement Studio | |||
| Genre | Country[1] | |||
| Length | 2:45 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Larry Butler | |||
| Jean Shepard singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and recording
editJean Shepard was among the first female country artists to rise to fame. During the 1950s, she had solo top ten singles, which continued sporadically over the next 20 years. She remained mostly with Capitol Records during her commercial peak.[2] Between 1969 and 1971, Shepard had six top 40 entries on the US country chart. Her sixth entry was "With His Hand in Mine".[3] Written by L. Allen, R. Butler and L Butler,[4] the track was performed in a ballad style.[1][5] The track was produced by Larry Butler in August 1970 at the Jack Clement Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.[4]
Release, critical reception and chart performance
edit"With His Hand in Mine" was released in January 1971 by Capitol Records as a single. It was issued as a seven-inch vinyl single. On the B-side was the song "Just Plain Lonely".[4] Cash Box magazine positively wrote, "Jean returns with a magnificently performed ballad guaranteed to please her many many country fans."[5] Billboard predicted that the song would make the top 20 of their country chart, calling Shepard's singing an "emotional performance".[1] Despite its prediction, "With His Hand in Mine" peaked outside the top 20, reaching the number 24 position on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1970. It would be Shepard's final top 40 entry there until 1973.[3] "With His Hand in Mine" also became her third single to make Canada's RPM Country Tracks chart, peaking at number 43.[6] It was then included in Shepard's 1971 studio album titled Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You.[7]
Track listings
edit- 7" vinyl single[4]
- "With His Hand in Mine" – 2:45
- "Just Plain Lonely" – 2:20
Charts
edit| Chart (1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] | 43 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 24 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Spotlight Singles: Top 20 Country" (PDF). Billboard. January 23, 1971. p. 66. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Dan. "Jean Shepard". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research.
- ^ a b c d Shepard, Jean (January 1971). ""With His Hand in Mine"/"Just Plain Lonely" (7" vinyl single)". Capitol Records. 3033.
- ^ a b "C&W Singles Reviews: Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. January 23, 1971. p. 41. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Search results for "Jean Shepard" under RPM Country Singles". RPM. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ Shepard, Jean (August 1971). "Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You (Liner Notes)". Capitol Records. ST-815.
- ^ "Jean Shepard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.