Silver Threads and Golden Needles by The Springfields

Album: Silver Threads and Golden Needles (1962)

Charted: 20

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Songfacts®:

The Springfields were a Peter, Paul & Mary-style folk trio of Dusty Springfield (later a solo star), her brother Tom, and their friend Tim Field. The song was originally recorded by Wanda Jackson in 1956 - it was the first single for the rockabilly singer. The Springfields heard Jackson's version and recorded their own. Their version is an early example of folk-pop, complete with a jangly guitar solo.
This song was written by Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes. Rhodes wrote some popular rockabilly and country song, including "A Satisfied Mind."
Some of the many artists to cover this song include The Cowsills, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Rivers. Here are the versions that charted on the US Hot 100:

Jody Miller (#54, 1965)
The Cowsills (#74, 1969)
Linda Ronstadt (#67, 1974)
The Springfields released the successful singles "Breakaway" and "Bambino" in the UK before issuing "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" there in April 1962. It was a flop there, but when it was released in America as their first single in July 1962, it became a Stateside hit. When the album was released in the US, it was named after this track, but in the UK it was called Kinda Folksy.

The Springfields failed to make the US Top 40 with any more songs, but did have further UK success with the hits "Island Of Dreams" (#5), "Say I Won't Be There" (#5) and "Come On Home" (#31).

Comments: 15

Jim from Scottsbluff, NebraskaI heard this song when it hit the charts in 1962 and this version by The Springfieldss is one of all time favorites.
Teek from Cincinnati OhThe warm glow of your "wine"
Ron from British ColumbiaI would bet my net worth (not considerable) that I was hearing this song sung by the Springfields when I was a little kid in Ottawa, Canada in 1957. Could be smokin' but that's how I remember it. Still my favourite version.
Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkWonderful memories with this hit from 1962 by The Springfields. I bought their single in '62 because of the vocals & instrumental backing. Dusty Springfield woud set the world afire a few years later!! Much later I heard many other versions, but my favorite is still by Linda Ronstadt. On the Springfields' hit the label shows songwriting credits go to Reynolds & Rhodes, just as Songfacts says. Also, my Dad was a big Wanda Jackson fan (she was from Oklahoma) because she was the primary female rock & roller in the 1950s & he still owns her single of this song. I believe Dad said it was from 1956. That was the first known recording of the song too & the label on Jackson's single still credited songwriting to Reynolds & Rhodes. The Springfields' single has a great guitar-break.
Peter from AustraliaThis is a great golden oldie.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 20th 1965, Jody Miller's covered version of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #94; eventually it peaked at #54 and spent 6 weeks on the Top 100...
In 1969 the Cowsills covered the song, they peaked at #74 on the Top 100; and in 1974 Linda Ronstadt released her version of the song, she reached #20 on the Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and #67 on the Top 100...
Then in 1993 Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn covered it and they reached #68 on the Country chart.
Keith from Rochester, NyI personally like the Linda Ronstadt version best.
Kay from Columbia , AlMy father BC Money Jr. wrote this song for a contest as a child and was never contacted.
Ray from Edinburgh, United KingdomThere is also a lovely slow version of this song by the late female vocalist Sandy Denny and her band Fotheringay. It was recorded in 1970 but not produced until 2008 on the album Fotheringay 2.
Lezlee Liljenberg from Arlington, TxMy great uncle, Dick Reynolds, wrote this song and I am working on a book to tell his story. It is so full of history you would love it-He was an alcoholic and amazingly talented but never was able to pull it together. Look for the book out next year entitled "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" This song was written about his finance that broke up with him. His only love and he never recovered, so sad!
Bill from Ft. Myers, , FlI favor the Skeeter Davis version.
Steve from Gaithersburg, MdThe song was written by Jack Rhodes and Dick Reynolds and recorded by rockabilly great Wanda Jackson back in 1956. Jackson is considered to be the first great female rock & roll artist.
Don from San Jose, CaThis great song was also recorded by Skeeter Davis and Lynn Anderson, both very good renditions.

Don, San Jose, CA
Jeri from Schenectady , NyIf you can handle country, Loretta Lynn also did a terrific version of the song. That's the first one I heard to tell the truth!
Dana from Albany, NyLinda Ronstadt recorded a tear-up version of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" on her 1973 album, "Don't Cry Now".

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