Pop Song 236 of 300 'Rose Garden also titled I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"' Joe South 1967

Pop Song 236 of 300 'Rose Garden also titled I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"' Joe South 1967

"Rose Garden" (sometimes titled "(I Never Promised You a Rose Garden") is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969.

In 1970, Lynn Anderson recorded "Rose Garden" after hearing Joe South's version. However, Anderson's producer rejected the song's recording because he did not consider it to be a female tune. After much convincing, the song was eventually recorded and released as a single by Columbia Records. The song became a crossover hit after it reached both the American Billboard country and pop charts. "Rose Garden" also became a major hit worldwide, reaching the number one spot in multiple countries.

"Rose Garden" has since been recorded by artists of various styles and musical genres. Notable covers include those by k.d. Lang in 1985 and Martina McBride in 2005. Yet it is Anderson's version that has been considered a country music standard and signature country pop recording. In recent years, the song has appeared in various music publication