Loretta Lynn Writes 'Em & Sings 'Em cover

Loretta Lynn Writes 'Em & Sings 'Em

Loretta Lynn · 1970

26 min · 11 tracks · country music

A raw and heartfelt collection of country anthems driven by Lynn's powerful storytelling and signature vocal style.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Know How Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    You Ain’t Woman Enough — This track stands out as a fierce declaration of independence, showcasing Lynn's ability to articulate women's frustrations with assertive lyrics and a catchy melody.
  • →
    Fist City — With its bold narrative about confronting infidelity, this song exemplifies Lynn's knack for storytelling and her unapologetic take on relationships.
  • →
    What’s the Bottle Done to My Baby — This poignant ballad captures the pain of heartbreak and addiction, highlighting Lynn's emotional depth and connection to traditional country themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100
Foothills
Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and storytelling but lacks some cohesion in pacing.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, with most tracks driven by a steady rhythm section and prominent pedal steel guitar.
  • Several songs incorporate narrative storytelling, with lyrics that address themes of love, empowerment, and personal struggle.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • brief storytelling bursts
  • energetic sing-along moments
  • heartfelt reflections on relationships
  • front-loaded emotional impact

Maybe skip if you

  • seek lengthy immersive experiences
  • prefer slow, contemplative tempos

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Solidifies her reputation with iconic tracks, showcasing her storytelling prowess.
Themes
small-town struggles· heartbreak and addiction· female resilience
Career context
Released in 1970, Loretta Lynn Writes 'Em & Sings 'Em was her fourth studio album, following the breakthrough success of 'Coal Miner's Daughter'. At this point in her career, Lynn was solidifying her status as a leading voice in country music, known for her authentic lyrics that spoke to women's experiences.
Stylistic neighbors
Patsy Cline· Tammy Wynette· Dolly Parton
New to Loretta Lynn? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • You Ain’t Woman Enough

    The narrator confronts another woman directly, asserting her strength and ownership over her relationship.

    The direct address not only emphasizes the theme of female empowerment but also showcases a shift toward more assertive narratives in country music.

Tracklist

  • 1 I Know How Start here 2:31
  • 2 What’s the Bottle Done to My Baby 2:40
  • 3 The One You Need 2:21
  • 4 Your Squaw Is on the Warpath 2:02
  • 5 You Ain’t Woman Enough 2:11
  • 6 Crazy Out of My Mind 2:43
  • 7 You Wanna Give Me a Lift 2:32
  • 8 Wings Upon Your Horns 2:35
  • 9 To Make You Feel Like a Man 2:15
  • 10 Deep as Your Pocket 2:34
  • 11 Fist City 2:10

What to play next

Wings Upon Your Horns
Listen next

Wings Upon Your Horns

1970

Continues the heartfelt storytelling with a similar sonic style.
If We Put Our Heads Together
Go back to

If We Put Our Heads Together

1969

Leads into a deeper exploration of personal themes and narratives.
Full Loretta Lynn discography Where to start with Loretta Lynn Artists like Loretta Lynn

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Jolene

Jolene

Dolly Parton

Shares a narrative focus on personal struggles and emotional resilience in country storytelling.

Sentimentally Yours

Sentimentally Yours

Patsy Cline

Equally explores themes of heartbreak with a rich vocal delivery and country instrumentation.

Pieces of the Sky

Pieces of the Sky

Emmylou Harris

Combines heartfelt songwriting and a blend of country and folk influences, echoing Lynn's storytelling style.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata