So, today, Jim wants us to select a song that has either our home town or one we lived in. Well, everyone should know that I grew up in Chicago, because I talk about it all the time, and in fact I’ve done two posts where I listed a bunch of songs about the Windy City. I’ve only lived in three other towns: Northfield, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago; Atlanta, where I live now; and Indianapolis, where I lived for about a year when Dad was transferred there in the ’50’s. I’ve chosen The Circle City as the subject of my song.
“Little Green Apples” was written by Bobby Russell (who also wrote “Honey”) originally for Roger Miller, who released it as a single, as did Patti Page and O. C. Smith, who had the big hit with it. Roger reached #39 with his version (as well as #5 on the AC chart and #6 on the Country chart), Patti Page reached #96 with her version (as well as #12 on the AC chart, her last single to chart), and Smith took the song to #2 on the Hot 100, #4 on the AC chart, and #2 on the R&B chart. It was #12 on the year-end Hot 100.
The lyrics from Songlyrics.com:
With my hair down in my eyes and she says, “Hi”
And I stumble to the breakfast table
While the kids are goin’ off to school…goodbye
And she reaches out and takes my hand
And squeezes it and says, “How ya feelin’, hon?”
And I look across at smilin’ lips
That warm my heart and see my mornin’ sun
And if that’s not lovin’ me
Then all I’ve got to say
God didn’t make little green apples
And it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And there’s no such thing as Doctor Seuss
Or Disneyland, and Mother Goose, no nursery rhyme
God didn’t make little green apples
And it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And when myself is feelin’ low
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
Sometimes I call her up at home knowin’ she’s busy
And ask her if she could get away and meet me
And maybe we could grab a bite to eat
And she drops what she’s doin’ and she hurries down to meet me
And I’m always late
But she sits waitin’ patiently and smiles when she first sees me
‘Cause she’s made that way
And if that ain’t lovin’ me
Then all I’ve got to say
God didn’t make little green apples
And it don’t snow in Minneapolis when the winter comes
And there’s no such thing as make-believe
Puppy dogs, autumn leaves and BB guns
God didn’t make little green apples
And it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime
And when myself is feelin’ low
I think about her face aglow and ease my mind
Love that song. Note that it also mentions Minneapolis, and although we never lived there, I used to go there a lot on business and Mary and I considered living there at one time.
Anyway, that’s Song Lyric Sunday (and Song of the Day) for April 19, 2020.
Oh my gosh, I remember this song. I love this song, but I don’t think this guy sang it when I was listening to it. It was in the late 60’s early 70’s maybe… it’s adorable. Wait you said it was wrote for others? Like Roger Miller maybe… I just don’t remember. Love the tune though. Have a good night my friend. Hugs…
It probably was Roger Miller, but I’m kind of surprised, because O. C.’s was on WLS and WCFL all the time. I didn’t hear Roger’s until the other day.
You are very good at hitting my childhood songs… I don’t know why Tom T. Hall came to mind when I saw the title.
It sounds like the kind of song Tom would write and/or sing, doesn’t it? He wrote some great songs, but this wasn’t one of them.
I could have heard Roger Miller’s version…I’m glad you wrote this or I would have thought for sure Hall wrote it.
I loved this song as a kid.
It’s a great song and one that you don’t hear often enough.
Oo you surprised me! I was expecting a Windy City tune from you. But I adore this song!
That’s me, Master of the Unexpected!
Very soothing. I’m sure I’ve heard the song before but maybe not this version? Great choice for today 🎶
Roger Miller did it, and so did Patti Page. You probably heard Roger’s.
I hadn’t heard this version. I certainly remember the Roger Miller version though. Very nice choice today!
I can see that happening if you mostly listened to country stations, because it was a Top 10 hit on the country chart. Great song no matter who does it.
I agree! 😊 thanks for giving me something new today. I love SLS for this reason.
Absolutely fabulous 💜
Isn’t it wonderful? You don’t hear songs like this one much anymore.
No indeed it a wonderful song 💜
It has been way too long since I last listened to this beautiful song.
Not one you hear too often anymore, is it? O. C. had that quality in his voice where he made you feel it.
I like this song and I also like “Honey”. Seems these type songs should have their own category and maybe they do. The lyrics remind me of simpler times.
I can’t think of a name for the category, but “simpler times” works pretty well.
Nice tune, John, but help this thicko Brit. The Circle City is Indianapolis, right, because of the 500?
It’s the Circle City because all the main roads that go through downtown meet in a circle, what you might call a roundabout. It’s also called the Racing Capital of the World, the Crossroads of America, the Railroad City (though Chicago probably had more of a claim to that, because all the coast-to-coast passenger traffic went through there), and Naptown or Indy.
thx. We love roundabouts!