Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Loretta Lynn

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Loretta Lynn made an impact.

Loretta Lynn was a highly successful American country music singer and songwriter whose career spanned six decades. She achieved numerous gold albums and chart-topping hits, including iconic songs like "The Pill," "You Ain't Woman Enough," and "Coal Miner's Daughter." Her life story was adapted into the acclaimed 1980 musical film, 'Coal Miner's Daughter', solidifying her legacy as a prominent figure in country music and American culture.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 2, 1960: First Recording Contract

On February 2, 1960, Loretta Lynn signed her first recording contract with Zero Records.

October 15, 1960: Debut Grand Ole Opry Appearance

On October 15, 1960, Loretta Lynn made her debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1960: Grand Ole Opry Appearances

In 1960, Loretta Lynn's relationship with the Wilburn Brothers and her appearances on the Grand Ole Opry helped her become the No. 1 female recording artist in country music.

September 25, 1962: Joined the Grand Ole Opry

On September 25, 1962, Loretta Lynn officially joined the Grand Ole Opry.

1962: First Decca Single Release

In 1962, Loretta Lynn released her first Decca single, "Success", which quickly rose to No. 6 on the charts, marking the start of a series of Top 10 hits throughout the 1970s.

1962: "She's Got You" Hit

In 1962, Patsy Cline's "She's Got You" went to No. 1, and Loretta Lynn's cover also went to No. 1 in 1977.

1964: Top 10 Hits

After 1964, Loretta Lynn's music began to regularly hit the Top 10 with songs such as "Before I'm Over You", and "Wine, Women and Song".

1965: Solo Career Success

In 1965, Loretta Lynn's solo career continued with three major hits, "Happy Birthday", "Blue Kentucky Girl", and "The Home You're Tearing Down".

1966: Success with "Dear Uncle Sam" and "You Ain't Woman Enough"

In 1966, Loretta Lynn had her first self-penned song to crack the Top 10 with "Dear Uncle Sam" and became the first country female recording artist to write a No. 1 hit with "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)".

1967: Duet Album

In 1967, Loretta Lynn and Ernest Tubb released their second duet album, "Singin' Again".

1967: First No. 1 Hit

In 1967, Loretta Lynn had the first of 16 No. 1 hits, out of 70 charted songs as a solo artist and duet partner.

1967: "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)" Released

In 1967, Loretta Lynn released the single "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)", which became her second number one country hit.

1968: Release of Fist City Album

In 1968, Loretta Lynn released her album Fist City, with the title track becoming her third No. 1 hit.

1969: Third Duet Album

In 1969, Loretta Lynn and Ernest Tubb released their third duet album, "If We Put Our Heads Together".

1969: "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)" Released

In 1969, Loretta Lynn's single, "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)", became her fourth chart-topper.

1970: "Coal Miner's Daughter" Success

In 1970, Loretta Lynn's autobiographical hit "Coal Miner's Daughter" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart and became her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 83.

1971: Solo Hit "One's on the Way"

In 1971, Loretta Lynn achieved her fifth No. 1 solo hit with "One's on the Way", written by Shel Silverstein.

1971: Professional Partnership with Conway Twitty Begins

In 1971, Loretta Lynn began a professional partnership with Conway Twitty, leading to a successful duo career.

1973: Continued Duo Success with Conway Twitty

In 1973, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty had the hit song, "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man".

1973: "Rated X" Success

In 1973, Loretta Lynn's song "Rated X" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.

1974: Continued Duo Success with Conway Twitty

In 1974, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty had the hit songs, "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" and "Feelins'".

1975: Charted Singles

Between 1970 and 1975, Loretta Lynn had a series of singles that charted low on the Hot 100.

1975: Continued Duo Success with Conway Twitty

Between 1971 and 1975, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty had five consecutive No. 1 hits as a duo.

1975: "The Pill" Release

In 1975, Loretta Lynn released "The Pill", one of the first songs to discuss birth control, reaching the Top 10.

1976: Coal Miner's Daughter Becomes a Bestseller

In 1976, Loretta Lynn released her autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter, which became a bestseller and spent more than 8 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.

1976: Autobiography Release

In 1976, Loretta Lynn's bestselling autobiography, "Coal Miner's Daughter", was released.

1976: Release of Autobiography

In 1976, Loretta Lynn's bestselling autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter, was released.

1977: Release of "I Remember Patsy"

In 1977, Loretta Lynn released "I Remember Patsy", an album dedicated to her friend Patsy Cline.

1978: Last No. 1 Hit

In 1978, Loretta Lynn had her last No. 1 hit with "Out of My Head and Back in My Bed".

1978: Guest Appearance on The Muppet Show

In 1978, Loretta Lynn was a special guest star on The Muppet Show.

1979: Crisco Oil Spokesperson & Artist of the Decade

In 1979, Loretta Lynn became the spokesperson for Procter & Gamble's Crisco Oil and was named the "Artist of the Decade" by the Academy of Country Music.

1979: Top 5 Hits

In 1979, Loretta Lynn had two Top 5 hits, "I Can't Feel You Anymore" and "I've Got a Picture of Us on My Mind".

March 5, 1980: Coal Miner's Daughter Film Debut

On March 5, 1980, the film "Coal Miner's Daughter", starring Sissy Spacek as Loretta, debuted in Nashville.

1980: Coal Miner's Daughter Film

In 1980, Loretta Lynn's autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter, was made into an Academy Award–winning film of the same title, starring Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones.