Delta Dawn – Helen Reddy | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) & Adult Contemporary (#1); 1973
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Delta Dawn was co-written by Alex Harvey (who’d already scored with Ruben James and Tell It All Brother by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition) and Larry Collins, one-half of the rockin’ Collins Kids.
When Harvey released his own version in 1971, one of the backup vocalists was Tracy Nelson of Mother Earth, who then added Delta Dawn to her live act. Bette Midler heard Tracy sing it at New York’s Bottom Line, recorded the song for The Divine Miss M, and performed it on The Tonight Show.
Enter renowned country producer Billy Sherrill, who had caught Bette’s appearance with Johnny Carson and decided Delta Dawn was perfect for Tanya Tucker. It became the 13-year-old’s first hit in 1972; reaching #6 on the country chart.
A year later, Bette released her version as a single, just day’s after Helen Reddy’s record hit the streets. Atlantic Records promptly through its promo weight behind Midler’s flip side, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and Capitol Records got a #1 smash with Reddy’s record.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Larry Collins
- Alex Harvey
Lyrics Written by:
- Billy Sherrill
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).