Softly (Hank Locklin album)

Softly is a studio album by American country singer–songwriter Hank Locklin. It was released in December 1968 via RCA Victor Records and contained 11 tracks. The album was co-produced by Chet Atkins and Danny Davis. Softly was Locklin's nineteenth studio album released in his career and third to be released in 1968. It contained one single, "Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day." The song became a charting single in 1969. The album itself would also reach a charting position following its original release.

Softly
Studio album by
Hank Locklin
ReleasedDecember 1968 (1968-12)
RecordedNovember 1968
StudioRCA Victor Studio
Genre
LabelRCA Victor
Producer
Hank Locklin chronology
My Love Song for You
(1968)		 Softly
(1968)		 Lookin' Back
(1969)
Singles from Softly

Background and content

Hank Locklin had several years of limited commercial success during the mid 1960s. In 1968 however, his single titled "The Country Hall of Fame," reached the top ten of the American country charts. This brought a commercial resurgence to his career.[2] His recent success prompted RCA Victor to release additional studio material of Locklin's, including Softly. The album was recorded in November 1968 at the RCA Victor Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions were co-produced by Chet Atkins and Danny Davis. It was Locklin's second studio effort to be co-produced by both men.[3] Softly consisted of 11 tracks.[1] Many of the record's tracks were new material. Also included was a cover of Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again." "With One Exception" was originally a hit for country artist David Houston. The album's eventual lead single was also a cover of the hit, notably recorded by Bing Crosby.[3]

Release and chart performance

Softly was released in December 1968 via RCA Victor Records. The record marked Locklin's nineteenth studio album release in his career.[3] It was originally distributed as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on "side A" and five songs on "side B."[4] In the 2010s, it was re-released in a digital format for music downloads and streaming.[5] Softly spent six weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and peaked at number 32 in March 1969. It would be Locklin's final album to chart any Billboard list.[6] One single was spawned from the album: "Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day." It was released on RCA Victor in January 1969.[7] The single spent ten weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number 34 in March 1969.[8] It was Locklin's final top 40 entry on the Billboard country songs chart.[7]

Track listings

Vinyl version
Side one[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Softly"Ray Griff2:08
2."Today I Started Loving You Again"Merle Haggard2:13
3."From Heaven to Heartache"Ben Peters2:40
4."And Then"Gloria Shayne2:38
5."Always Missing You"
2:22
6."Happy Face"Becki Bluefield3:05
Side two[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day"
2:30
2."With One Exception"
2:34
3."Turn Ole Nothing Loose"Charlie Craig2:12
4."Imagination Running Wild"David Turner2:51
5."It Hardly Hurts Anymore"
2:55

Digital version
Softly[5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Softly"Griff2:15
2."Today I Started Loving You Again"Haggard2:14
3."From Heaven to Heartache"Peters2:34
4."And Then"Shayne2:40
5."Always Missing You"
  • Chapel
  • Cologne
2:27
6."Happy Face"Bluefield3:11
7."Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day"
  • Ahlert
  • Crosby
  • Turk
2:27
8."With One Exception"
  • Sherrill
  • Sutton
2:34
9."Turn Ole Nothing Loose"Craig2:12
10."Imagination Running Wild"Turner2:52
11."It Hardly Hurts Anymore"
  • Fuller
  • Raleigh
2:58

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Softly.[3]

Musical and technical personnel

  • Chet Atkins – producer
  • Danny Davis – producer
  • Hank Locklin – lead vocals
  • Bill McElhiney – arrangement

Chart performance
Chart (1968–69) Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[9] 32

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada December 1968 Vinyl RCA Victor [10]
United States [3][4]
2010s
  • Digital
  • Streaming
 Sony Music Entertainment [5]

References
  1. "Softly: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. Erlewine, Michael. "Hank Locklin: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. Locklin, Hank (December 1968). "Softly (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor Records.
  4. "Hank Locklin -- Softly (1968, LP) (US)". Discogs. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. "Softly by Hank Locklin". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. "Softly chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  8. ""Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  9. "Hank Locklin Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. "Hank Locklin -- Softly (1968, LP) (Canada)". Discogs. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
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