Expert: Mel Priddle - 9/12/2008

Question
do you know the name of the male country singer who sang
a song that had the words" if you think you can then i'll
be gone and you'll be on your own. it said on the radio station i was listening to he only had two hits.

Answer
Hello Carol,

I think you may be referring to the song, "With Pen In Hand". This was a country hit for Johnny Darrell in 1968 (and a big pop hit the following year for Vikki Carr). It was written by Bobby Goldsboro, who also released his version of it, as did Conway Twitty, in 1968.

Apart from those, during the 1968-1970 period, it was also recorded by Jack Greene, Ferlin Husky, Jerry Vale, Roger Miller, Bobby Lewis, and Eddy Arnold.

From that list of singers, I would think that the radio station was referring to Johnny Darrell who, although he had several country hits, only had two that made the Top 10.


With pen in hand you signed your name
Today at five I'll be on that train
And you'll be free and I will be alone, so alone

If you think we can't find the love we once knew
If you think I can make everything up to you
Then I'll be gone and you'll be on your own, you'll be on your own

Can you take good care of Johnny
Can you take him to school everyday
Can you teach him how to catch a fish
And keep all those bullys away, hear what I say

Can you teach him how to whistle a tune
Can you tell him about the Man in the Moon
If you can do these things then maybe he won't miss me
Maybe he won't miss me

And tonight as you lay in that big lonely bed
Can you look at the pillow where I laid my head
And with your heart on fire
Will you have no desire to kiss me and to hold me

And if you can forget the good times we had
If you think that the good times don't outweigh the bad
Then sign your name and I'll be on my way
I'll be on my way, hmmm-hmmm


Glad to be of help. Cheers..........Mel.