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45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-14096) (1985)
Image credit: kempkemp at 45cat.com
"Unwed Fathers" is a single by Gail Davies with harmony vocals by Dolly Parton. It was released on May 20, 1985, by RCA Records as the third single from Davies' Where Is a Woman to Go album. The song was written by Bobby Braddock and John Prine. It was produced by Gail Davies and Leland Sklar. It was first recorded by John Prine the previous year on his Aimless Love album. Davies' cover of the song peaked at number 56 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Track listing

Side A
  • Unwed Fathers (with harmony vocals by Dolly Parton) (Bobby Braddock, John Prine) 3:18
Side B
  • Different Train of Thought (Ted Hewitt, Will Shouse, Steve Nobles) 3:05

Audio

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the June 1, 1985 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "A topical, literate record, and pure country; a perfect litmus test to determine if country radio has an ear for the authentic."

Cashbox reviewed the single the following week in their June 8, 1985 issue. It said, "Inspired lyrics, harmonies by Dolly Parton, and another top-notch performance by Davies."
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Billboard review, June 1, 1985.
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Cashbox review, June 8, 1985.

Commercial performance

"Unwed Fathers" debuted at number 79 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 22, 1985. It peaked at number 56 on the chart dated July 13, its fourth week on the chart. it charted for eight weeks. it also peaked at number 55 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Where Is a Woman to Go liner notes. ​The album liner notes do not give credits for individual tracks, so the credits below are for the album as a whole.
Performance
  • Mike Baird – drums
  • Gail Davies – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Jerry Douglas – dobro
  • Paul Franklin – steel guitar
  • Vince Gill – harmony vocals, mandolin
  • Lloyd Green – steel guitar
  • Walker Igleheart – background vocals
  • Mary Ann Kennedy – background vocals
  • Gene Morford – background vocals
  • Farrell Morris – percussion
  • Dolly Parton – harmony vocals
  • Billy Payne – keyboards
  • Pam Rose – background vocals
  • Leland Sklar – bass
  • Buddy Spicher – fiddle
  • Julia Waters – background vocals
  • Maxine Waters – background vocals
  • Billy Walker – guitars
  • Reggie Young – guitars
Production
  • Bob Bullock – additional recording
  • Ken Criblez – assistant engineer
  • Gail Davies – producer
  • Dan Garcia – assistant engineer
  • Chris Hammond – assistant engineer
  • Russ Martin – assistant engineer
  • Doug Sax – basic track recording, mastering
  • Bill Schnee – mixing
  • ​Leland Sklar – producer