Paper Rosie

"Paper Rosie"
Single by Gene Watson
from the album Paper Rosie
B-side "Don't Look at Me (In That Tone of Voice)"
Released January 1977
Format 7"
Recorded November 18, 1976
Genre Country
Label Capitol 4378
Writer(s) Dallas Harms
Producer(s) Russ Reeder
Gene Watson singles chronology
"Her Body Couldn't Keep You (Off My Mind)"
(1976)
"Paper Rosie"
(1977)
"The Old Man and His Horn"
(1977)

"Paper Rosie" is a song written and originally recorded by Canadian country music artist Dallas Harms. Harms' version peaked at number 21 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in 1975.

The song was later covered by American country music artist Gene Watson. Watson's version released in January 1977 as the first single and title track from his album Paper Rosie. Watson's version peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the spring of 1977.[1] It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.[2]

Lyrical content

The song is set at a roadside tavern and is told from the viewpoint of a person there who buys a paper rose from an elderly female vendor. Shortly thereafter, he hears the ringing of church bells and choir voices and realizes a funeral is taking place nearby. When he hears the choir singing "paper Rosie," he realizes that the funeral is for the woman who'd just sold him the rose. The song suggests that it was actually the spirit of the woman who sold him the paper flower.

Chart performance

Dallas Harms

Chart (1975) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 21

Gene Watson

Chart (1977) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 3
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1

References

  1. "Gene Watson singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  2. "RPM Country Singles for May 28, 1977". RPM. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
Preceded by
"Play Guitar Play"
by Conway Twitty
RPM Country Tracks
number-one single

May 28, 1977
Succeeded by
"The Rains Came"
by Freddy Fender
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