Album cover. RCA Victor (APL1-0950) (1975)
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The Bargain Store is the fifteenth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on February 17, 1975, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Porter Wagoner. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The title track was the only single released and it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
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Track listing
Side A
- The Bargain Store (Dolly Parton) 2:40
- Kentucky Gambler (Dolly Parton) 2:36
- When I'm Gone (Dolly Parton) 2:12
- The Only Hand You'll Need to Hold (Dolly Parton) 2:07
- On My Mind Again (Dolly Parton) 2:46
- I Want to Be What You Need (Dolly Parton) 2:38
- Love to Remember (Porter Wagoner) 2:28
- You'll Always Be Special to Me (Merle Haggard) 2:18
- He Would Know (Dolly Parton) 2:31
- I'll Never Forget (Dolly Parton) 2:45
Recording
Recording sessions for the album took place on December 4, 9, and 11, 1974, at RCA Studio B, in Nashville, Tennessee. "Kentucky Gambler" was the only song recorded during a May 23, 1973 session.
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May 23, 1973
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December 11, 1974
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Content
In the self-penned title tune, Dolly used worn, second-hand merchandise in a discount store as a metaphor for a woman damaged by an ill-fated relationship. The song was dropped from a number of country stations' playlists when programmers mistook the line "you can easily afford the price" as a thinly veiled reference to prostitution. Despite the decrease in airplay, the song nonetheless topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in March 1975.
The album was largely made up of Dolly's own compositions, but also contained Merle Haggard's "You'll Always Be Special to Me". Haggard had recorded "Kentucky Gambler" and released it as a single in October 1974.
The album was largely made up of Dolly's own compositions, but also contained Merle Haggard's "You'll Always Be Special to Me". Haggard had recorded "Kentucky Gambler" and released it as a single in October 1974.
Release and promotion
The album was released February 17, 1975, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
"The Bargain Store" was released as the album's single on January 13, 1975. It debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated January 25. It peaked at number one on the chart dated March 29, its tenth week on that chart. It charted for a total of 13 weeks. The single peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at number one on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number three in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
Cashbox gave a positive review of the album, which said, "This latest collection from one fo the country's most loved songstress' is a delightful showcase for the lady's talents. With all selections except two written by Dolly, including her recent #1 single "The Bargain Store", the selections also include "I Want to Be What You Need", "On My Mind Again", "You'll Always Be Special to Me", "I'll Never Forget", and our personal favorite, "He Would Know". To quote the liner notes, "You'll be completely satisfied."
AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Cashbox review, April 12, 1975.
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated March 15, 1975. It peaked at number nine on the chart dated April 26, its seventh week on the chart. The album charted for 23 weeks.
Accolades
"Kentucky Gambler" and "The Bargain Store" both received the Country Award from BMI in 1975 and 1976, respectively. "Kentucky Gambler" also received a Songwriter Achievement Award from Nashville Songwriter's Association International in 1975.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2009 box set, Dolly ("The Bargain Store", "Kentucky Gambler", and "On My Mind Again"), and may not represent the personnel for all tracks.
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