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45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-109395) (1977)
Image credit: allan0318 at 45cat.com
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on March 21, 1977, by RCA as the first single from her eighteenth solo studio album, New Harvest...First Gathering. The song was written by Dolly who produced the track with Gregg Perry. The single peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. ​"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" received the Country Award from BMI in 1978.

Track listing

45 single (retail)
Side A
  • Light of a Clear Blue Morning (Dolly Parton) 4:53
Side B
  • There (Dolly Parton) 5:32

​45 single (radio promo)
​Side A
  • Light of a Clear Blue Morning (Long Version) (Dolly Parton) 4:53
Side B
  • Light of a Clear Blue Morning (Short Version) (Dolly Parton) 3:16

Recording

"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" was recorded on August 19, 1976, at Soundshop Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. "There" was recorded on December 17 at Creative Workshop in Nashville. Coincidentally, these two songs were the first and last songs to be recorded for the New Harvest...First Gathering album.

Dolly re-recorded "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" for the 1992 soundtrack album, Straight Talk, and her 2004 album, For God and Country.

Audio

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the April 2, 1977 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, Parton continues her surge as a multi-talented crossover threat – producer/singer/writer. Her convincing singing job and gospel-like background boost this long release from her new direction LP."

Cashbox also reviewed the single in their April 2, 1977 issue. Their review read, "As one of the indisputable queens of country music, Dolly Parton has made inroads into the pop market with album sales as well as television. This somewhat visionary single has pop qualities, while preserving Ms. Parton's unique vocal style."
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Billboard review, April 2, 1977.
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Cashbox review, April 2, 1977.

Commercial performance

"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" debuted at number 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated April 9, 1977. It peaked at number 11 on the chart dated June 11, its tenth week on the chart. The single charted for 13 weeks. It also peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also peaked at number nine on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number four in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Accolades

​"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" received the Country Award from BMI in 1978.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the New Harvest...First Gathering liner notes.
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning"
  • Lea Jane Berinati – background vocals
  • Clyde Brooks – drums, percussion, background vocals
  • Charlie Chappelear – bass, background vocals
  • Jimmy Crawford – steel, background vocals
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Janie Fricke – background vocals
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals, background vocals, producer
  • John Pell – acoustic guitar, background vocals
  • Gregg Perry – background vocals, piano, producer
  • Debbie Jo Puckett – background vocals
  • Rod Smarr – electric guitar, background vocals
"There"
  • Anita Ball – background vocals
  • Lea Jane Berinati – background vocals
  • Jimmy Colvard – acoustic guitar
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Janie Fricke – background vocals
  • Shane Keister – organ
  • Larrie Londin – drums
  • Joe McGuffee – steel
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals, background vocals, producer
  • Gregg Perry – piano, background vocals, producer
  • Rod Smarr – electric guitar
  • Bobby Thompson – acoustic guitar
  • Casey Worden – background vocals
  • ​Kelly Worden – background vocals
  • Mickie Worden – background vocals