«The Teddy Bear Song» is a 1973 single written by Don Earl and Nick Nixon, and made famous by country music vocalist Barbara Fairchild. Released in December 1972, the song was Fairchild’s only No. 1 song on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in March 1973. The song also became a modest pop hit, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1973.

Several female country vocalists recorded cover versions of «The Teddy Bear Song,» including Jean Shepard, Connie Smith, Diana Trask, Barbi Benton and Tanya Tucker.

From the album A Sweeter Love
B-side «(You Make Me Feel Like) Singing a Song»
Released December 1972
Recorded June 1972
Genre Country
Length 3:03
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Don Earl Nick Nixon
Producer(s) Jerry Crutchfield

Barbara Fairchild – The Teddy Bear Song lyrics

I wish I had button eyes and red fat nose
Shaggy cotton skin and just one set of clothes
Sittin’ on the shelf in the local department store
With no dreams to dream and nothing to be sorry for

I wish I was a Teddy Bear
Not livin’ nor lovin’ or goin’ nowhere
I wish I was a Teddy Bear
And I’m wishin’ that I hadn’t fallen in love with you

I wish I had a wooden heart and a sawdust mind
Then your mem’ry wouldn’t come around hurtin’ all the time
I’d have a sewed on smile and a painted twinkle in my eye
And I never would’ve ever had to learn how to cry

I wish I was a Teddy Bear
Not livin’ nor lovin’ or goin’ nowhere
I wish I was a Teddy Bear
And I’m wishin’ that I hadn’t fallen in love with you

I wish I had a string you’d pull to make me say
Hi, I’m Teddy ain’t it a lovely day
Then I’d know every time I spoke the words were right
And no one would know the mess I made in my life

I wish I was a Teddy Bear
Not livin’ nor lovin’ or goin’ nowhere
I wish I was a Teddy Bear
And I’m wishin’ that I hadn’t fallen in love with you
And I’m wishin’ I hadn’t fallen in love with you