Van Lear Rose

Album: Van Lear Rose (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Loretta Lynn and her daughter Patsy Lynn Russell wrote this as a tribute to Lynn's mother, Clara Webb. "Mommy was part Cherokee Indian," Lynn wrote in Honky Tonk Girl: My Life In Lyrics. "She was so pretty, with beautiful black hair that just curled and the loveliest skin. When I was little I wanted to look just like her, but I never could be as pretty as my mommy."

    The lyrics recall Lynn listening to her father tell stories about how he met and fell in love with her mother, whom he called the "Van Lear Rose."
  • Van Lear is the Kentucky coal-mining community where Lynn's childhood home in Butcher Hollow (or Butcher Holler) was located.
  • The album, produced by Jack White of the White Stripes, debuted at #2 on the country chart and peaked at #25 on the pop chart. It won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
  • Jack White performed his version on BBC Radio 1's John Peel Show on January 30, 2004.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.