Sammi Smith
Oldies Music Lyrics

1978 classic remake
"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye"


Sammi Smith and her great cover of the song titled Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.

The Sammi Smith oldies Music Lyrics to the song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" was written by John D. Loudermilk and released on Smith's 1978 album titled New Winds, Old Quadrants.

Of all the covers of this well written song by the "guys" I believe Sammi Smith's version will be the one that stays with you longer.

The original version by by Don Cherry was released in 1962. "The Casinos" cover, released in 1967, reached #6 on the charts but the following year Eddie Arnold placed his country vinyl record memories at the top of the charts.

In 1996 another Country version by Neal McCoy reached #4 on the U.S. Billboard country charts. You can decide which of those two Top remakes you like the best but I'm going with Sammi Smith's release on her 1978 album.  


Why Choose Sammi's Version?

Three reasons...I have the original album, she does a great country jukebox version of the song and The Jordanaiers, my favorite backing group, are providing the back up vocals on her song.

The Jordanaiers were original background vocals for Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Patsy Cline and many, many other recording artists. I point this out on several pages on this site.


Sammi Smith Oldies Music Lyrics - One Hit Wonder...I don't think so.

Sammi Smith's only number one song and the best cover ever done in her whisper soft voice.

Sammi Smith started her career by selling two million copies of her first single in 1971, a song written by Kris Kristofferson titled, "Help Me Make It Through The Night."

It would be her only career #1 song.

Smith's recording of the song remains the most commercially successful and most well-known version in the United States.

Sadly, nearly 50 years later most will recognize the song, "Help Me Make It Through The Night," but couldn't tell you who the singer is.

However, the last part of a song review I read by David Cantwell says it all about Sammi Smith.

"On all of her best recordings, Smith's voice invites the listener into an emotional world so revealing and familiar that it often seems as if she's right there beside you, whispering into your ear."

Wow...He sure got that right.  

Sammi was signed with a small independent label called Mega and even though she had several hits on the country charts with Mega, it did not make enough impact to build her career.


Sammi Smith Turns Outlaw & Names Son After Waylon Jennings.


Bet that headline will keep curious readers on this page.

In the 70s Sammi had been one of the rare women in the "outlaw country" movement that was sweeping Country music at the time. She toured with Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson during this time.

Sammi had a son and named him Waylon.

He is named after his godfather Waylon Jennings and played the part of Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2005 movie Walk the Line. His father, Jody Payne, is a longtime guitarist with Willie Nelson.


Merle Enjoyed Sammi's Cover Best.

In 1975 Sammi had her second biggest hit, a remake written by Merle Haggard, called "Today I Started Loving You Again." The song has often been covered but some believe Sammi's is the best cover of the song. I agree.

I have read that Merle really liked Sammi's version. The song peaked at #9 on the Country charts and would be the last Top Ten hit for Sammi.

Sammi Smith died at her home in Oklahoma City on February 12, 2005, at the age of 61. She is buried in Guymon, Oklahoma.

She is another lady that made me appreciate what good country music is all about. Enjoy this wonderful Country cover by Sammi Smith.

And if you ever have the opportunity to hear "Waltz Across Texas" by Sammi, you may agree with me that her version is also the best cover of that song.


Sammi Smith Oldies Music Lyrics
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

Written by John D. Loudermilk
Released by The Casinos on Fraternity Records 1967
Cover by Sammi Smith - 1978 Album - New Winds | Old Quadrants

Kiss me each morning for a million years
Hold me each evening by your side
Tell me you'll love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out...Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye

Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss
Soften my dreams with your sighs
Tell me you'll love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out...Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye

If you must go, oh no, I won't grieve
If you wait a lifetime before you leave

Then if you must go...Mmm, I won't tell you no
Just so that we can say we tried
Tell me you'll love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out...Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye

Tell me you'll love me for a million years
Then if it don't work out...Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye


Ever thought of having your own website? I built Vinyl Record Memories "from scratch" with SoloBuildIt! Click below to find out more....



Great Cover of "Me and Bobby McGee" - Is this the Best version that never gets played?

Return to Best Cover Songs main page.

Return to Home page.





Enjoy this page? Share it with your friends!

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.





Vinyl Record Memories
(VIP Club)

Become a member - FREE to Join.

A Little Bit of Nostalgia in your inbox each month.

FREE  To  Join



Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye



Will anyone ever record songs like this again? A Beautiful song with perfect harmony and words you can actually understand, make sense and have a meaning.  Read more.



Patsy Cline
You Belong To Me.



Patsy Cline songs are the voice of the average woman, the waitress at the diner, the counter girl at the all-night truck stop, or even the stay-at-home mom who stops to wonder what happened to all her dreams. Patsy Cline was their voice. Read more...



"Dream" - 1944 
Roy Orbison Cover



The song "Dream" reminds us of those glamorous movie stars of the '40s, '50s, and early '60s, a song everyone should have in their music collection. Come Dream with me...



Songs That Will
Make You Cry.



"Tear Time" takes you through a feminine emotional experience and will touch your heart with the lyrics, "All it takes is the smallest thought of you ... Then tear time starts crying all night through." Read more ...



A Dreamy Duet
All I Have To Do Is Dream



It's not often we have the pleasure of hearing a cover song outshine the original, but this song sure comes close. Read more...



Storms Never Last
A Love Story



Storms Never Last, a song about passing through the hardships of marriage, and knowing their love for one another will endure. A final duet with Jessi Colter and husband, Waylon Jennings. Read more...



A Beach Boys Classic
"Don't Worry Baby"



What a treat, watching Lorrie Morgan and The Beach Boys sing together. A country voice with a sexy tone covering an old Beach Boys song hit the spot. Come with me...Enjoy