"Country in My Genes" is a song written by Larry Cordle, Betty Key and Larry Shell. It was recorded by American country artist Loretta Lynn and released on Audium and Koch Records in 2000. It was the lead single off of Lynn's album, Still Country. It was the first single Lynn had released since the mid-1990s and was her first to charting single since that time period. The song was given positive reviews from critics and writers.
Background and content
"Country in My Genes" was among Lynn's first recordings since the death of her husband in 1996, Oliver "Doolittle" Lynn.[2] She had recently returned to touring and performing. The song was composed by Larry Cordle, Betty Key and Larry Shell. It had been inspired by a concert performance. Both writers had observed Lynn performing wrote the track based on a conversation she had with the audience about being from the country. Lynn later commented on the composition in an interview with Billboard: "Everything I said on stage is what he put in that record. I said, 'You wrote my show didn't you?' He said, 'I sure did'."[3] "Country in My Genes" was recorded in the spring of 2000 at the Scruggs Sound Studio, located in Berry Hill, Tennessee. The song was produced by Randy Scruggs, who also produced Lynn's upcoming album. It was Lynn's first collaboration with Scruggs.[4]
Release and reception
"Country in My Genes" received a positive reception from music writers and reviewers. Dan MacIntosh reviewed the song after watching Lynn perform in concert. He believed the song advocated for the country genre to return to more traditional sounds and styles. "'Country In My Genes,' which its attack on the sorry state of modern country music reads like a witness to the trial of the murder on Music Row," he wrote.[5] When reviewing her Still Country album, Zac Johnson of Allmusic commented on the song's sound and style. He felt the single carried "the traditional country torch while managing to stay current."[1]
Release and chart performance
"Country in My Genes" was released as the album's lead single on June 16, 2000. It was issued as a single via Audium Records and Koch Records."[6] The single release included the original recording of Lynn's "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" to celebrate 40 years of her recording career. After its release, the song had received a positive response from several radio stations, according to Billboard. "Our audience is absolutely responding to it. It's so Loretta," said John Malone of WSM radio.[3]
