45 single, Side A. RCA Victor (47-9657) (1968)
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"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on October 14, 1968, by RCA Victor as the single from Dolly's album of the same name. The track was written by Dolly and produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
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Track listing
Side A
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) (Dolly Parton) 2:46
- Try Being Lonely (Buck Trent, George McCormick) 2:40
Background
"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" was written by Dolly about her experiences growing up in Appalachia. She recalls living in cold houses where the snow would come in through cracks in the walls and her parents working hard to provide for their children. She credits her poor upbringing with the inspiration to write many of her songs, but while she is thankful for the experience, she wouldn't want to go back and re-live those days.
Recording
"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" was recorded on September 9, 1968, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. "Try Being Lonely" was recorded on December 20, 1967, and had previously been released on Dolly's first RCA album, Just Because I'm a Woman.
Dolly re-recorded "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" for her 1973 studio album, My Tennessee Mountain Home.
Dolly re-recorded "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" for her 1973 studio album, My Tennessee Mountain Home.
Audio
Critical reception
Billboard reviewed the single in the October 26, 1968 issue. The review said that Dolly "has a sure-fire sales winner in this well-thought out message rhythm ballad."
The review in the October 26, 1968 issue of Cashbox said, "Dolly Parton...should have a real winner on her hands with "In the Good Old Days", which she wrote herself." The review described the track as "an ironic, effective ditty about a poverty-stricken youth."
The review in the October 26, 1968 issue of Cashbox said, "Dolly Parton...should have a real winner on her hands with "In the Good Old Days", which she wrote herself." The review described the track as "an ironic, effective ditty about a poverty-stricken youth."
Billboard review, October 26, 1968.
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Cashbox review, October 26, 1968.
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Commercial performance
"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)" debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 16, 1968. It peaked at number 25 on the chart dated December 21, its sixth week on the chart. It charted for 11 weeks. It also peaked at number 30 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the 2009 box set, Dolly, and the 2003 CD reissue of Just Because I'm a Woman.
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"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)"
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"Try Being Lonely"
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