With Pen in Hand
{{Infobox song
| name = With Pen in Hand
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Johnny Darrell
| album = With Pen in Hand
| B-side = Poetry of Love
| released = 1968
| recorded = 1968
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Country
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=18}}
| label = United Artists
| writer = Bobby Goldsboro
| producer = Bob Montgomery
| prev_title = The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp
| prev_year = 1967
| next_title = I Ain't Buying
| next_year = 1968
}}
"With Pen in Hand" is a song written by Bobby Goldsboro and first released on his March 1968 album, Honey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/ual3642|title = Vinyl Album: Bobby Goldsboro - Honey (1968)}} The song's lyrics address the subjects of divorce and losing custody of one's child, and are sung from the perspective of the parent who expects to be losing custody of their child, as they make a final plea to their spouse to reconcile before the divorce is finalized.Randy Cordova, "[http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/12/06/vikki-carr-10-great-songs-concert/19999531/ 12/13: 10 great Vikki Carr songs]", The Arizona Republic, December 6, 2014. Accessed July 26, 2015C. Mackenzie, "The Gramophone", Volume 47, (1969) "With Pen in Hand" has been a hit for multiple artists in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Johnny Darrell version
The first single release of "With Pen in Hand" was by Johnny Darrell on April 13, 1968.{{Cite web|url=https://www.45cat.com/record/ua50292|title=Johnny Darrell - with Pen in Hand}} Darrell's version reached No. 3 on Billboard{{'}}s Hot Country Singles chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-07-06.pdf Hot Country Singles]", Billboard, July 6, 1968. p. 36. Accessed December 3, 2015. No. 2 on Record World{{'}}s "Top C&W Singles","[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-06-29.pdf Top C&W Singles]", Record World, June 29, 1968. p. 52. Retrieved March 4, 2018. No. 4 on the Cash Box Country Top 50,[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-07-06.pdf Cash Box Country Top 50], Cash Box, July 6, 1968. p. 36. Retrieved March 11, 2018. No. 126 on Billboard{{'}}s Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-05-25.pdf Bubbling Under the Hot 100]", Billboard, May 25, 1968. Retrieved March 11, 2018. and No. 12 on Cash Box{{'}}s "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the Cash Box Top 100."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-05-18.pdf Looking Ahead]", Cash Box, May 18, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved March 11, 2018. He also released it on his August 1968 album also called With Pen in Hand.
Billy Vera version
In June 1968, Billy Vera released a version of the song,[http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Billy+Vera&titel=With+Pen+In+Hand&cat=s Billy Vera - With Pen in Hand], norwegiancharts.com. Accessed July 14, 2016. which was his first solo single."[https://books.google.com/books?id=zAoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 Rhythm & Blues]", Billboard, June 15, 1968. p. 28. Retrieved March 11, 2018. Vera's version spent 6 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 43,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-vera/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100 - Billy Vera With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018. while reaching No. 25 on Billboard{{'}}s Easy Listening chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/billy-vera/chart-history/asi/ Adult Contemporary - Billy Vera With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018. No. 25 on the Cash Box Top 100,[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-07-27.pdf Cash Box Top 100], Cash Box, July 27, 1968. p. 4. Retrieved March 11, 2018. No. 29 on Record World{{'}}s "100 Top Pops","[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-07-27-Annual.pdf 100 Top Pops]", Record World, July 27, 1968. Retrieved March 4, 2018. No. 21 on Record World{{'}}s "Top Non-Rock" chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-07-20.pdf Record World's Top Non-Rock]", Record World, July 20, 1968. p. 14. Retrieved March 4, 2018. No. 12 on Canada's RPM 100,"[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4409& The RPM 100]", RPM Weekly, Volume 9, No. 22–23 August 3, 1968. p. 5. Accessed December 3, 2015. and No. 20 on Record World{{'}}s "Juke Box Top 25"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-07-13.pdf Juke Box Top 25]", Record World, July 13, 1968. p. 16. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
Vikki Carr version
{{Infobox song
| name = With Pen in Hand
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Vikki Carr
| album = For Once in My Life
| B-side = Can't Take My Eyes Off You
| released = 1968 (UK)"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-11-09.pdf From The Music Capitals of the World]", Billboard, November 9, 1968. p. 62. Accessed December 3, 2015.
1969 (US)
| recorded = 1968
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop{{cite book|last= Burke|first= Ken|chapter= Vikki Carr|editor-last= Knopper|editor-first=Steve|date=January 1, 1998|title=MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Detroit|pages=79-82}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=38}} (UK)
{{Duration|m=3|s=55}} (US)
| label = Liberty
| writer = Bobby Goldsboro[http://musicvf.com/song.php?id=48162 With Pen in Hand - By: Vikki Carr], MusicVF.com. Accessed July 26, 2015
| producer = Dave Pell & Ron Bledsoe[http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Vikki+Carr&titel=With+Pen+In+Hand&cat=s Vikki Carr - With Pen in Hand], norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
Vikki Carr, who has said: "I had to fight for 'With Pen in Hand',Grigware, Don. "[https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Interviews-Legendary-Pop-Singer-Vikki-Carr-Talks-About-Her-New-Album-Viva-la-Vida-20121015 BWW Interviews: Legendary Pop Singer Vikki Carr Talks About Her New Album Viva la Vida]", Broadway World, October 15, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2018. had a 15 November 1968 UK single release with a cover of the song. Carr, herself in London at the time recording a TV show, promoted the single on British television and radio, facilitating its charting at No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart.[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12983/vikki-carr/ Vikki Carr - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
Also in November 1968, Carr played the Manhattan nightclub Persian Room, with her engagement being recorded as the live album For Once in My Life,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/for-once-in-my-life-mw0000863185 |title=For Once in My Life - Vikki Carr |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= March 11, 2018}} from which her performance of "With Pen In Hand" was issued as a single in February 1969. It spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 35,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/vikki-carr/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100 - Vikki Carr With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018. becoming Carr's third and final Top 40 hit on that chart. It also reached No. 6 on Billboard{{'}}s Easy Listening chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/vikki-carr/chart-history/asi/ Adult Contemporary - Vikki Carr With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018. and was ranked No. 5 on Billboard{{'}}s year-end ranking of 1969's "Top Easy Listening Singles"."[https://books.google.com/books?id=xigEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 Top Records of 1969]", Billboard, December 27, 1969. p. 17. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
In Canada, Carr's live version reached No. 38 on the RPM 100,"[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4695& The RPM 100]", RPM Weekly, Vol 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969. p. 5. Retrieved March 30, 2018. and No. 4 on RPM{{'}}s Adult Contemporary chart."[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5941&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5941.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5941 Adult]", RPM Weekly, Vol 11, No. 20. July 14, 1969. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
The B-side of both the UK and US single versions of "With Pen in Hand" featured Carr's version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", from the album It Must Be Him.
In 1970, Carr was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her live rendition of "With Pen in Hand".Diane Telgen, "Notable Hispanic American Women", VNR AG, (1999) p. 76
=Chart performance=
Bobby Goldsboro version
Goldsboro first recorded the song February 26, 1968 and released the song on his March 1968 album, Honey, but he didn't release it as a single until August 1, 1972."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-10-05.pdf You've come a long way Bobby.]", Billboard, October 5, 1974. p. BG-20. Accessed December 2, 2015. Goldsboro's version spent 5 weeks on the 1972 Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 94,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/bobby-goldsboro/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100 - Bobby Goldsboro With Pen In Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2018. while reaching No. 28 on Billboard{{'}}s Easy Listening chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/bobby-goldsboro/chart-history/asi/ Adult Contemporary - Bobby Goldsboro With Pen In Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2018. No. 87 on the Cash Box Top 100,[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-10-14.pdf Cash Box Top 100], Cash Box, October 14, 1972. p. 4. Accessed July 13, 2016. and No. 92 on Record World{{'}}s "The Singles Chart"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/70s/72/RW-1972-10-14.pdf The Singles Chart]", Record World, October 14, 1972. p. 27. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
Other versions
In 1968, Jerry Vale released a version of the song as a single and on the album This Guy's In Love With You.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-guys-in-love-with-you-mw0000876485 |title=This Guy's In Love With You - Jerry Vale |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= March 11, 2018}} Vale's version reached No. 30 on Billboard{{'}}s Easy Listening chart[https://www.billboard.com/artist/jerry-vale/chart-history/asi/ Adult Contemporary - Jerry Vale With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 11, 2018. and No. 23 on Record World{{'}}s "Top Non-Rock" chart.
Conway Twitty released the song on the album Next in Line in 1968.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/next-in-line-mw0000856555 |title=Next In Line - Conway Twitty |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= March 4, 2018}}
Aretha Franklin released the song on the album Let Me in Your Life in 1974. Atlantic LP 7292, Aretha Franklin - Let Me in Your Life, 1974
In 1977, Dorothy Moore released a version of the song as a single and on her eponymous album.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/dorothy-moore-mw0000843551 |title=Dorothy Moore - Dorothy Moore |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= March 11, 2018}} Moore's version reached No. 12 on Billboard{{'}}s Hot Soul Singles chart,[https://www.billboard.com/artist/dorothy-moore/chart-history/bsi/ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Dorothy Moore With Pen in Hand Chart History], Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-01-28.pdf Billboard Hot Soul Singles]", Billboard, January 28, 1978. p. 96. Retrieved March 31, 2018. No. 101 on Billboard{{'}}s Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-02-04.pdf Bubbling Under the Hot 100]", Billboard, February 4, 1978. p. 30. Retrieved March 31, 2018. No. 92 on Record World{{'}}s "The Singles Chart","[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-02-11.pdf The Singles Chart]", Record World, February 11, 1978. Retrieved March 11, 2018. and No. 11 on Record World{{'}}s "The R&B Singles Chart","[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-02-11.pdf The R&B Singles Chart]", Record World, February 11, 1978. p. 50. Retrieved March 11, 2018. No. 103 on Cash Box{{'}}s "Looking Ahead" chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-01-28.pdf Looking Ahead]", Cash Box, January 28, 1978. p. 54. Retrieved March 11, 2018. and No. 15 on "Cash Box Top 100 R&B"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-01-28.pdf Cash Box Top 100 R&B]", Cash Box, January 28, 1978. p. 51. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Vikki Carr}}
{{Bobby Goldsboro}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bobby Goldsboro songs
Category:United Artists Records singles
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Liberty Records singles
Category:Songs written by Bobby Goldsboro
Category:Song recordings produced by Bob Montgomery (songwriter)