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45 single, Side A. RCA Victor (PB-10328) (1975)
Image credit: boyjohn at 45cat.com
"Say Forever You'll Be Mine" is a single by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on June 16, 1975, by RCA Victor as the only single from Porter and Dolly's album of the same name. It was written by Dolly and produced by Porter. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" received the Country Award from BMI in 1976.

Track listing

Side A
  • Say Forever You'll Be Mine (Dolly Parton) 2:45
Side B
  • How Can I (Help You Forgive Me) (Porter Wagoner, Tom Pick) 1:55

Recording

"Say Forever You'll Be Mine" was recorded on August 21, 1972, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, during a session for the 1973 album, We Found It. "How Can I (Help You Forgive Me)" was recorded on February 12, 1973, during a session for the 1973 album, Love and Music.

​Dolly recorded a solo version of "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" on her 2016 album, Pure & Simple.

Audio

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the June 28, 1975 issue of Cashbox magazine. The review said, "This is the first duet single in over a year for Porter and Dolly. Produced by Porter, you can pick the side you like – both have good charting potential. "How Can I (Help You Forgive Me)" is uptempo, while "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" is a tender love song with a little recitation thrown in by Dolly."
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Cashbox review, June 28, 1975.

Commercial performance

"Say Forever You'll Be Mine" debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 12. It peaked at number five on the chart dated October 11, its fourteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 17 weeks. It also peaked at number one on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Accolades

​"Say Forever You'll Be Mine" received the Country Award from BMI in 1976.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the 2014 box set, Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976.
"Say Forever You'll Be Mine"
  • Joe Babcock – background vocals
  • Lea Jane Berinati – background vocals
  • Thomas Brannon – background vocals
  • Jimmy Capps – electric guitar
  • Jerry Carrigan – drums
  • Pete Drake – steel guitar
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Dolores Edgin – background vocals
  • Bob Ferguson – producer
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • Dave Kirby – electric guitar
  • Mack Magaha – fiddle
  • June Page – background vocals
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
  • Jerry Stembridge (Chip Young) – rhythm guitar
  • Buck Trent – electric banjo
  • Sharon Vaughn – background vocals
  • Porter Wagoner – lead vocals
  • Ernest West – background vocals
"How Can I (Help You Forgive Me)"
  • Joe Babcock – background vocals
  • ​Stu Basore – steel guitar
  • ​Jimmy Colvard – electric guitar
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Dolores Edgin – background vocals
  • Bob Ferguson – producer
  • Johnny Gimble – fiddle
  • Dave Kirby – electric guitar
  • Mack Magaha – fiddle
  • Kenny Malone – drums
  • Ron Oates – piano
  • June Page – background vocals
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • ​Bobby Thompson – rhythm guitar
  • Buck Trent – electric banjo
  • Porter Wagoner – lead vocals
  • Hurshel Wiginton – background vocals