Picture
45 single, Side A. RCA Victor (PB-10164) (1975)
Image credit: jdseeley at 45cat.com
"The Bargain Store" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on January 13, 1975, by RCA Victor as the only single from Dolly's album the same name. It was written by Dolly and produced by Bob Ferguson. The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Dolly's sixth song to top the chart. "The Bargain Store" received the Country Award from BMI in 1976.

Track listing

Side A
  • The Bargain Store (Dolly Parton) 2:37
Side B
  • I'll Never Forget (Dolly Parton) 2:45

Recording

"The Bargain Store" was recorded on December 3, 1974, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, while "I'll Never Forget" was recorded on December 11.

Audio

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the January 25, 1975 issue of Cashbox magazine. The review said, "Dolly sings of a life that is likened to a Bargain Store, where all the merchandise is used, but all you need to purchase is love. Dolly is a tremendously talented lady and this one should be her first #1 of 1975."
Picture
Cashbox review, January 25, 1975.

Commercial performance

"The Bargain Store" debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated January 25, 1975. It peaked at number one on the chart dated March 29, its tenth week on the 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.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the 2009 box set, Dolly ("The Bargain Store").​
  • Jimmy Colvard – guitar
  • Bobby Dyson – bass
  • Bob Ferguson – producer
  • John Hughey – steel guitar
  • Lea Jane Singers – background vocals
  • Larrie Londin – drums
  • Bruce Osbon – guitar
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Bobby Thompson – guitar
  • Porter Wagoner – producer (uncredited on single)
  • Jerry Whitehurst – piano

Alternate artwork

Picture
UK 45 single, picture sleeve. RCA Victor (RCA 2728) (1976)
Image credit: changeling at 45cat.com