Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell was indeed “country before it was cool.” She was the first singer to win the CMA’s “Entertainer of the Year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year” awards twice in a row, and is now considered an original pioneer of Country Music. Affectionately known as the “Sweetheart of Steel,” she spent her active years (1959-2000) recording, performing, and even acting in several TV shows— including Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters and Burning Rage.
Her Song “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” was released in 1981 and reached U.S. Billboard‘s No.1 top country song on July 4th of that year. The song later featured country legend George Jones singing alongside Mandrell.
Listen to Barbara Mandrell perform “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” below!
“I Was County When Country Wasn’t Cool” Lyrics
I remember wearin’ straight leg Levis
Flannel shirts Even when they weren’t in style
I remember singin’ with Roy Rogers
at the movies when the West was really wild And I was listenin’ to the Opry
When all of my friends
were diggin’ Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm & Blues
I was Country, when Country wasn’t cool I remember circlin’ the drive-in,
pullin’ up and turnin’ down George Jones
I remember when no one was lookin’
I was puttin’ peanuts in my Coke I took a lot of kiddin’
‘Cause I never did fit in
now look at everybody
tryin’ to be what I was then I was Country, when Country wasn’t cool
Oooh(Chorus:)
I was Country, when Country wasn’t cool
I was Country, from my hat down to my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ newI was Country, when Country wasn’t cool(Instrumental Break)
They call us country bumpkins
For stickin’ to our roots
I’m just glad we’re in a country
Where we’re all free to choose
I was Country, when Country wasn’t cool
(George Jones)
Hey I was Country, when Country wasn’t cool
Yeah I was country, from my hat down to, Whoa my boots
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain’t nothin’ new
Yeah, I was Country when Country wasn’t cool
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