Tammy Wynette And George Jones – Near You

“Near You”, a song written by Francis Craig and first recorded by Francis Craig & His Orchestra for the Bullet Records label, recorded in early 1947 and released on March 15, 1947, “Near You” first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on August 30, 1947, and lasted 21 weeks on the chart, peaking at # 1. It eventually sold over 2.5 million copies. “Craig’s version of the song was the first pop hit record ever to come out of Nashville, Tennessee.”

George Jones & Tammy Wynette, recorded it for the Epic label, on December 12, 1974, at Columbia Recording Studio, 34 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN. With the production of Bill Sherrill, the song was released on August 6, 1976. On February 5, 1977, it reached # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts, remaining on the charts for a total of 16 weeks, and on March 5, 1977, it also reached # 1 on the charts. Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It was the third number one, as duet for George & Tammy.

The song was included in George & Tammy’s seventh studio album, Golden Ring (Epic 1976), the album was released on August 9, 1976, on October 30, 1976, reaching # 1 on the US charts. Top Country Albums, remaining in the charts a total of 28 weeks.

About the song:

In 1977, “Near You” became a number one country hit as a duet for the duo of George Jones and Tammy Wynette, one of the most unlikely compositions that the two country legends sang together. Recorded in the winter of 1974, its atypical disposition showed that country fans still had an appetite for any music played by the separated couple, which had been the “First Couple” of country music in the early 1970s. In fact, it was his second straight single # 1 since his divorce in 1975; They had only managed to top the charts once during their six-year marriage with “We Are Gonna Hold On” in 1973.

Some versions:

The Auditones 1947 (Rainbow Records)
Four Bars & a Melody 1947 (Savoy Records)
The Cardinals 1957 (Atlantic)
Sonny James 1957 (Capitol Records)
Marlene Dietrich 1958 (London Records)
Nat King Cole 1962 (Capitol Records)
Pete Drake 1965 (Smash Records)
Millican & Nesbitt 1975 (PYE Records)

More than 50 versions…………

Miquel Batlle Garriga
mbatllegarriga@gmail.com

Tammy Wynette And George Jones – Near You Lyrics
There’s just one place for me
Near you

It’s like heaven to be
Near you

Times when we’re apart
And I can’t face my heart

Say you’ll never stay
More than just two lips away

If my hours could be spent
Near you

I’d be more than content
Near you

Make my life worthwhile
By telling me that I’ll
Spend the rest of my days
Near you

Near you
Near you
Make my life worth while
By telling me that I’ll
Spend the rest of my days
Near you

Spend the rest of my days
Near you