I Walked Away from the Wreck

"I Walked Away from the Wreck"
"I Walked Away from the Wreck"
Single by Loretta Lynn
from the album Loretta Lynn Sings
B-side	"The Girl That I Am Now"
Released	November 1961
Recorded	September 8, 1961
Studio	Bradley Studio
Genre	Country; Nashville Sound;
Length	2:36
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Cindy Walker
Producer(s)	Owen Bradley
Loretta Lynn singles chronology

"I Walked Away from the Wreck" is a song written by Cindy Walker that was first recorded by American country singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records and later appeared on her debut studio album, Loretta Lynn Sings. "I Walked Away from the Wreck" was Lynn's first single with the Decca label and would start a series of major hits until the 1980s.

Background and content[]

In 1960, Loretta Lynn had her first major hit with the single "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl." Its success helped country duo The Wilburn Brothers take notice of Lynn as a performer and writer. With their help and support, she signed a new recording contract with Decca Records, her first major label. Under Decca, Lynn would be produced by Owen Bradley, who helped find Lynn's very first recordings.^[2] Bradley produced "I Walked Away from the Wreck," which was recorded during her very first session at the Decca label. The session took place on September 8, 1961 at the Bradley Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Other songs were also recorded during this same session, including Lynn's own composition ("The Girl That I Am Now") and her first top ten hit ("Success"). "I Walked Away from the Wreck" was Lynn's first single release to be composed by another writer. Cindy Walker had written the track.^[3]

Release[]

"I Walked Away from the Wreck" was released as a single in November 1961 via Decca Records.^[4] It was issued as a 7" single. On its B-side was Lynn's self-penned "The Girl That I Am Now."^[5]^[3]

"I Walked Away from the Wreck" was Lynn's first single released on the Decca label. Lynn would remain with the label (later renamed MCA) until 1988. Despite its major label release, the song did not reach any charting positions on any Billboard survey, most notably the Hot Country Singles chart, where most of Lynn's singles appeared.^[4] The single was issued on Lynn's 1963 studio album, Loretta Lynn Sings, also issued on Decca.^[1] The album was also Lynn's debut studio release.^[6]

Track listing[]

7" vinyl single^[3]^[5]^[7]

"I Walked Away from the Wreck" – 2:36
"The Girl That I Am Now" – 2:17

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Loretta Lynn Sings: Loretta Lynn: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Loretta Lynn: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Lynn, Loretta (November 1961). ""I Walked Away from the Wreck" / "The Girl That I Am Now" (Vinyl Single Insert Information)". Decca Records.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Loretta Lynn -- "I Walked Away from the Wreck" (1961, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
^ Lynn, Loretta (December 9, 1963). "Loretta Lynn Sings (Album Information and Liner Notes)". Decca Records.
^ "Loretta Lynn -- "I Walked Away from the Wreck" (1961, Vinyl) [Canada]". Discogs. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

[Allmusic-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Loretta Lynn Sings: Loretta Lynn: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved October 8, 2020.

[Allmusic_Bio-2] Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Loretta Lynn: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

[Liner_Notes-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Lynn, Loretta (November 1961). ""I Walked Away from the Wreck" / "The Girl That I Am Now" (Vinyl Single Insert Information)". Decca Records.

[Billboard_Singles-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.

[Discogs-5] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Loretta Lynn -- "I Walked Away from the Wreck" (1961, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

[Album_Liner_Notes-6] Lynn, Loretta (December 9, 1963). "Loretta Lynn Sings (Album Information and Liner Notes)". Decca Records.

[7] "Loretta Lynn -- "I Walked Away from the Wreck" (1961, Vinyl) [Canada]". Discogs. Retrieved 8 October 2020.

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show v t Loretta Lynn singles
Albums Singles Discography with Conway Twitty
1960s	"I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" "Heartaches Meet Mr. Blues" "The Darkest Day" "I Walked Away from the Wreck" "Success" "World of Forgotten People" "The Other Woman" "Before I'm Over You" "Wine, Women and Song" "Mr. and Mrs. Used to Be" (with Ernest Tubb) "Happy Birthday" "Blue Kentucky Girl" "Our Hearts Are Holding Hands" (with Ernest Tubb) "The Home You're Tearing Down" "Dear Uncle Sam" "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)" "Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)" "Sweet Thang" (with Ernest Tubb) "If You're Not Gone Too Long" "What Kind of a Girl (Do You Think I Am)" "Fist City" "You've Just Stepped In (From Stepping Out on Me)" "Your Squaw Is on the Warpath" "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)" "Who's Gonna Take the Garbage Out" (with Ernest Tubb) "To Make a Man (Feel Like a Man)" "Wings Upon Your Horns"
1970s	"I Know How" "You Wanna Give Me a Lift" "Coal Miner's Daughter" "I Wanna Be Free" "You're Lookin' at Country" "One's on the Way" "Here I Am Again" "Rated "X"" "Love Is the Foundation" "Hey Loretta" "They Don't Make 'em Like My Daddy" "Trouble in Paradise" "Shadrack, the Black Reindeer" "The Pill" "Home" "When the Tingle Becomes a Chill" "Red, White and Blue" "Somebody Somewhere (Don't Know What He's Missin' Tonight)" "She's Got You" "Why Can't He Be You" "Out of My Head and Back in My Bed" "Spring Fever" "We've Come a Long Way Baby" "I Can't Feel You Anymore" "I've Got a Picture of Us on My Mind"
1980s	"Pregnant Again" "Naked in the Rain" "Cheatin' on a Cheater" "Somebody Led Me Away" "I Lie" "Making Love from Memory" "Breakin' It" "Lyin', Cheatin', Woman Chasin', Honky Tonkin', Whiskey Drinkin' You" "Walking with My Memories" "Heart Don't Do This to Me" "Wouldn't It Be Great" "Just a Woman" "Who Was That Stranger" "Fly Away"
1990s– 2010s	"Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (with Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette) "Country in My Genes" "Miss Being Mrs." "Portland Oregon" (with Jack White) "Coal Miner's Daughter" (with Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert) "Wouldn't It Be Great" (re-recorded version) "I Fall to Pieces" "Coal Miner's Daughter" (recitation)