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Arlene Harden “Lovin’ Man” Single Of The Day

Greetings from Asheville, where the turntable is always spinning with some great tunes from the past, including today’s Single Of The Day.  Your single, today, comes from Arlene Harden and would be her biggest solo hit.

Arkansas native Arlene Harden began singing during her teenage years, with "Lovin' Man (Oh Pretty Woman)", Arlene Harden, 1970.her sister Robbie, and brother Bobby, as the Harden Trio.  After spending time on the Ozark Jubilee and the Louisiana Hayride, during the early 1960′s, the trio scored a big hit in 1966, when “Tippy Toeing” just missed hitting number one.  Two more Country 40 singles ensued, including the Country 20 “Sneaking ‘Cross The Border” in 1967, before the trio split in 1968.

As a solo artist, Arlene actually began recording before the split, and had her first Country 40 single, before 1968 had ended, with “He’s A Good Ole Boy”.   In all, she would score seven Country 40 hits, but only one would break into the Country 20, today’s Single Of The Day.

Taken from her album Arlene Harden Sings Roy Orbison, “Lovin’ Man (Oh Pretty Woman)” would be her highest charting single, when it peaked at thirteen, during the Summer of 1970.  Exactly the same song as the Roy Orbison classic, “Oh Pretty Woman”, except for some tweaking of the lyrics to make it work for a female vocalist.  While it’s not in the same league as the original (and to be fair, there is no version that even comes close to Orbison’s), it’s not a bad record, utilizing nearly the same beat and tempo, but with a more Country arrangement.  Arlene’s vocals are good and overall, you have what would have been a nifty little summertime record for Country radio back in the day.

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