Movie Music Monday – Coal Miner’s Daughter

Loretta Lynn was born on this day in 1932. She really was born a coal miner’s daughter and the song is autobiographical. It reflects on the hardships her family faced growing up in rural Kentucky, where there was little money but a lot of love.

She called her autobiography “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and that was adapted into the movie of the same name in 1980. Sissy Spacek was cast as Lynn. Originally, she was supposed to lip synch with the songs for the film. However, it is Spacek who does all the singing in the movie. As a matter of fact, her version of the title song went to #23 on the country charts.

According to songfacts.com, the song had an extra four verses to it. Her producer, Owen Bradley, told her to remove them because the song was too long. “He said, ‘There’s already been one ‘El Paso,” and there’s never going to be another one,’ referring to the 4 minute song by Marty Robbins. Lynn said, “So I fiddled around and fiddled around, and finally I got four verses that I took off of ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.’ I wished I hadn’t, but I did.”

Loretta had been releasing music since 1960. She released almost 20 albums before she released Coal Miner’s Daughter. The song was different for her because had gained popularity with tough-talking, assertive country classics like “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”

She continued to make music through 2021. She passed away October 4, 2022.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Miss Loretta!

Here is Sissy’s version from the film