45 single, Side A. RCA Victor (47-9577) (1968)
Image credit: LaurenceD at 45cat.com
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"We'll Get Ahead Someday" is a single by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on July 1, 1968, by RCA Victor as the second single from their second collaborative studio album, Just the Two of Us. It was written by Mack Magaha and produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The B-side, "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark", was released as the third single on September 16, a week after the album's release. Written by Dolly and produced by Bob Ferguson, it peaked at number 51.
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Track listing
Side A
- We'll Get Ahead Someday (Mack Magaha) 1:55
- Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark (Dolly Parton) 2:44
Background
"Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" became a fan favorite at Porter and Dolly's live appearances. The crowd was always disappointed if the duo didn't perform the song. Dolly recalled in her 2020 book, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, that she "kind of based it on the fact that I hate the dark and have ever since I was a child."
Recording
"We'll Get Ahead Someday" was recorded on May 22, 1968, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" was recorded the day before.
Audio
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Critical reception
The single was reviewed in the July 13, 1968 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "The duo fast follow up their top 10 winner "Holding on to Nothin'" with an infectious and potent rhythm item with even more sales appeal."
Cashbox also reviewed the single in their July 13, 1968 issue. It said, "Although "Holding on to Nothin'" is still getting its share of chart action, the hit twosome of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton is out with another chart-bound session, this one called "We'll Get Ahead Someday". The hard moving sound of this one makes for some good programming fare."
Cashbox also reviewed the single in their July 13, 1968 issue. It said, "Although "Holding on to Nothin'" is still getting its share of chart action, the hit twosome of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton is out with another chart-bound session, this one called "We'll Get Ahead Someday". The hard moving sound of this one makes for some good programming fare."
Billboard review, July 13, 1968.
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Cashbox review, July 13, 1968.
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Billboard advertisement, September 28, 1968.
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Commercial performance"We'll Get Ahead Someday" debuted at number 68 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 27, 1968. It peaked at number five on the chart dated September 28, its tenth week on the chart. The single charted for 13 weeks. It also peaked at number nine on the Cashbox Country Singles chart.
"Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark" debuted at number 66 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated October 5, 1968. It peaked at number 51 on the chart dated November 2, its fifth week on the chart. It charted for six weeks. It also peaked at number 55 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. |
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the 2014 box set, Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976.
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"We'll Get Ahead Someday"
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"We'll Get Ahead Someday"
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