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"He Called Me Baby"

Candi Staton
 

        Howard originally recorded this song himself as "She Called Me Baby"  on his September 1961 album released Harlan Howard Sings Harlan Howard.  The single became a breakout hit in Texas, but after two weeks of promotion, Howard refused to do any more promotion for his singing career because he wanted to focus on his main passion: songwriting.

Howard's then wife, Jan, recorded the first female version of the song in April 1962 at Columbia Recording Studio, and it was released on her album Sweet and Sentimental that October.

        In February 1963, Patsy Cline recorded music for the very last time, and one of her final songs, slated for release on her impending Faded Love album.  When Cline passed away the next month, Decca Records to decided to not release her final album, so Cline's rendition of Howard's tune never reached the airwaves.

        In 1971, Candi Station released her rendition of the song, complete with horns and soulful backing vocals.  This bluesy country tune had become a top ten R&B hit.

        In the mid 60s, Charlie Rich recorded a version of the song with producer Chet Atkins at RCA Victor Studio that was not released until 1974.  Rich got his break in 1973, so when "She Called Me baby" was released the next year, it reached #1 C&W.

        Over the years, the song has been recorded by acts like Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb, Glen Campbell, Skeeter Davis, Lee Ann Womack and Dinah Shore.

 

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