About the song
“Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” is a landmark album in the illustrious career of American country music legend Loretta Lynn. Released on February 6, 1967, by Decca Records, this album marks Lynn’s ninth solo studio effort and is a testament to her enduring influence and distinctive style in the country music genre.
The album’s title track, “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” is a defining song for Lynn, encapsulating her ability to address real-life issues with a mix of toughness and tenderness. This single, released in October 1966, soared to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, cementing Lynn’s place as a leading voice in country music and marking her first No. 1 hit.
Critical reception of the album was overwhelmingly positive. Billboard, in its February 18, 1967 issue, praised Lynn’s unique style and the album’s mix of both new and classic country tunes. The review highlighted her touching rendition of “There Goes My Everything” and the rhythmic vibrancy of tracks like “The Devil Gets His Dues” and “I Got Caught.” The anticipation was that the album would be a commercial success, a prediction that proved accurate.
Cashbox echoed this sentiment in their review, also published on February 18, 1967. They noted that the album was highly anticipated by Lynn’s fans, especially given the success of the title track. The review emphasized the variety and appeal of the album’s tracks, including well-known country songs such as “The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight” and “I’m Living in Two Worlds.”
The acclaim didn’t stop there. AllMusic awarded the album five stars, praising Lynn’s choice of cover versions, including a standout performance of Ernest Tubb’s “The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight.” The album’s commercial performance matched its critical success, peaking at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Albums chart and reaching No. 80 on the US Billboard Top LP’s chart. Notably, this album was the first by a female country singer to be certified Gold by the RIAA, a significant milestone in country music history.
Recorded primarily at Bradley’s Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, the sessions spanned several months in 1966, with an additional track recorded in 1965. These sessions captured the raw and authentic sound that Lynn was known for, contributing to the album’s timeless appeal.
In summary, “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” is not just an album; it’s a cornerstone of Loretta Lynn’s career and a significant piece of country music history. It showcases her unique voice, her ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, and her enduring legacy as a trailblazing female artist in a predominantly male-dominated industry.
Video
Lyrics
Well, you thought I’d be waitin’ up when you came home last night
You’d been out with all the boys and you ended up half tight
Liquor and love, they just don’t mix
Leave that bottle or me behind
And don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
No, don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
Just stay out there on the town and see what you can find
‘Cause if you want that kind of love, well, you don’t need none of mine
So don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
You never take me anywhere because you’re always gone
Many a night I’ve laid awake and cried here all alone
Then you come in a kissin’ on me it happens every time
So don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
No, don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
Just stay out there on the town and see what you can find
‘Cause if you want that kind of love, well, you don’t need none of mine
So don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
No, don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind