The World Famous Ultimate Twang: Classic Album Review-Bill Anderson "I Love You Drops"

Classic Album Review-Bill Anderson “I Love You Drops”

August, 1966, will mark the forty-fourth anniversary of the release of Bill Anderson’s only number one album, “I Love You Drops”.

We begin things with the title cut, a big hit for Bill in 1966, and a composition from Bill’s pen, as well.

I think “I Love You Drops” is one Bill Anderson’s best hits; a great ballad.

Bill also wrote the next track, “Think I’ll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep”. It’s a song that’s never been a big hit, but is still relatively well known, due to the many times it’s been recorded, particularly in the 1960’s and 1970’s. It’s too bad that it’s never been a major hit; it’s an outstanding composition, and Bill’s version is flawless, pure country, right here.

“Talkin’ To The Wall” was a hit for Warner Mack (and later, Lynn Anderson), and here, Bill performs a decent cover, not as good as Mack’s, but decent.

As I listen, I come to the track “When Liking Turns To Loving”, a cut that I have to admit, isn’t really holding my attention. A ballad that falls into the bland category. Average, at best.

On the other hand, “I Get The Fever” is another of Bill’s best hits, a lively track that provided Bill with yet another trip to the top ten in 1966. Again, like the title cut, one of my favorite Bill Anderson cuts.

To me, some of Bill Anderson’s best recordings are the ballads, and the reason being it that his vocal style is so conducive to those generally quieter tunes of love and/or hurting. “Used To”, the final track on side one, is a classic example. You can just hear the hurt and despair dripping all over this track. It surely must be one of this album’s highlights.

Side two begins with a rollicking version of Roger Miller’s “In The Summertime (You Don’t Want My Love)”. Doesn’t do anything for me, as there is something about this recording that just feels forced or like a mismatch. It doesn’t work with Bill’s vocal style.

You have to like a song that can utilize the line “…drinking like a fish”, which Bill actually used when he wrote “Next Time You’re In Tulsa”. Again, you can hear the hurt and despair being conveyed in his voice, as he asks a stranger to check in on his ex- and his kids, the “next time you’re in Tulsa”.

“Lovin’ Pains”. Again, a song that’s not holding my attention. It just has a bland feel to it.

A nice recovery, though, on what I think is the greatest country song, ever, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. A simple, yet incredibly powerful set of lyrics, and it’s perfectly suited for Bill Anderson. One of the album’s standout performances.

“Nail My Shoes To The Floor” is a fun, bouncy track, that is easily listenable. Great, hummable melody and clever lyrics make this song a winner.

The album closes with a 1965 hit for Bill, “Certain”. It’s not a bad recording, again, showcasing Bill’s ability with ballads, especially those of the sad variety. The song, on it’s own, is average, but Bill’s vocals take average and make it very good.

You won’t find this album on CD or MP3 downloads, only used vinyl. Fortunately, if you’re interested in a copy, you should not have too much trouble finding one, as I found several, online, most at around $10.

All in all, it’s a decent album. There are a couple of exceptional cuts, along with a few bland ones, as well, but for Bill’s fans at the time of it’s release, I’m sure they were happy with the overall result of the album. I rate it a 3.5 out of 5. Only my opinion, though, so let’s hear it from the Bill Anderson fans, out there….what do you think?