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45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-13361) (1982)
Image credit: JRyder1964 at 45cat.com
"Hard Candy Christmas" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on October 11, 1982, by RCA Records to promote their Dolly compilation album, Greatest Hits. The song originates from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack. It was written by Carol Hall for the musical and was produced by Dolly with Gregg Perry. The single peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Track listing

Side A
  • Hard Candy Christmas (Single Edit) (Carol Hall) 3:35
Side B
  • Me and Little Andy (Dolly Parton) 2:36

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the October 23, 1982 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "Parton is at her wistful best in this deceptively gentle sounding cut from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack. The subdued instrumentation fits in well with the theme of a woman considering her limited options."

Cashbox also reviewed the single in their October 23, 1982 issue. It said, "The second single from the soundtrack to Best Little Whorehouse, this isn't really a Christmas song at all. Instead, it's a subtly mournful, but provocative, ballad that is sung as the whorehouse in the movie is finally shut down just before Burt and Dolly go off to live happily ever after. Gregg Perry's production provides just the right amount of energy and feeling."
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Billboard review, October 23, 1982.
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Cashbox review, October 23, 1982.

Commercial performance

"Hard Candy Christmas" debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 6, 1982. It peaked at number eight on the chart dated January 22, 1983, its twelfth week on the chart. The single charted for 19 weeks. It also peaked at number 27 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Personnel

Credits are not given for individual tracks in the liner notes of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Credits for the album as a whole can be found on its respective page.