Jean Shephard And Ferlin Husky – A Dear John Letter

Jean Shephard And Ferlin Husky – A Dear John Letter, or «Dear John» is the name of a popular country music song, written by Billy Barton, Fuzzy Owen and Lewis Talley. It was popularized by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard, and was a crossover country-pop hit in 1953.

Was performed as a duet by the two performers, with Husky speaking his part while Shepard sang hers. «Dear John» was released in 1953 and was a big success. The song topped the Billboard magazine country charts and reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop charts; in addition, it turned the unknown singers into star performers in the United States.

When «A Dear John Letter» topped the Billboard country charts, Shepard — at 19 years, nine months — became the youngest female artist to that point to have a no. 1 country single. She kept that record for nearly 20 years, when 14-year-old Tanya Tucker topped the Hot Country Singles chart with «What’s Your Mama’s Name.»

Jean Shephard And Ferlin Husky – A Dear John Letter
B-side «I’d Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)»
Released July 1953 (U.S.)
Recorded May 19, 1953
Genre Country
Length 2:32
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Billy Barton, Fuzzy Owen and Lewis Talley

COUNTRYPEDIA

Jean Shephard And Ferlin Husky – A Dear John Letter Lyrics

Dear John, Oh, how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, Dear John

Recitation:

I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
And he handed me a letter, I was happy as I could be
For the fighting was all over and the battle had been won
Then I opened up the letter and it started, «Dear John.»

Dear John, Oh, how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, Dear John

Recitation:

Will you please send back my picture, my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I’m wedding, you won’t care, dear, anyhow
Now the ceremony has started and I’ll wed your brother Don
Will you wish us happiness forever, Dear John

GENIUS