Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s Rendition of “A Dear John Letter” 

Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare + A Dear John Letter
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

There’s nothing more painful than a girlfriend breaking up with you miles away while you are fighting in a war. Imagine the bittersweet feeling and agony that it will lead you to — wretched and alone. 

Speaking of breaking hearts, Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare released a cover of “A Dear John Letter” in March 1965 for their debut albumTunes for Two. Davis’ dreamy vocals were placed alongside Bare’s recitation instead of harmony. Their smooth vocal textures were combined together pleasingly, making the song enjoyable despite its heartbreaking message. 

The song was originally recorded by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard in 1953 and was a country-pop hit at the time. Davis and Bare’s version, on the other hand, also earned its success by making their first hit together to reach No. 11 on the US Billboard Country Charts. “Your Husband, My Wife” (1970) was their second single to climb the charts at No. 5.

As a response to “Dear John,” the duo also recorded Husky and Shepard’s original called “Forgive Me, John.”

Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s “A Dear John Letter,” A Classic Achy-Breaky Anthem 

“A Dear John Letter,” or “Dear John,” was penned by Billy Barton, Fuzzy Owen, and Lewis Talley. Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s version of the song is notable for its simplistic chord progression that soothingly tells a heartbreaking story of infidelity. Their remake of the song was a timely tune during the Vietnam War for it narrates the tale of a woman named Jean who wrote her distant lover John, a soldier who is at war, a confession letter that she no longer loves him. 

In the song, Jean expresses her sorrow that her love for John has withered “like grass upon the lawn.” She then informs him that she will marry someone else that very night, who ends up to be John’s brother. Bare sings the recital in the song, narrating that John was overseas in battle when a postman came. He seemed excited to receive the letter at first but as Jean demands that he send back her picture, he is left heartbroken and in despair after discovering the truth. 

Davis and Bare’s remake of the song captures its simple, poignant melody, which deals with love and betrayal. It makes it an enduring favorite for classic country fans today.

Let Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare’s Cover of “A Dear John Letter” take you back in time to a heartbreaking love story.

Latest Stories

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen isn’t just wowing crowds on his One Night at a Time tour; he’s also rocking the world of music education. Through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, ...

Luke Combs and Eric Church's Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Country music superstars Luke Combs and Eric Church united for a powerful cause, headlining the “Concert for Carolina” to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. The star-studded event, held at Bank ...

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

When you think of Brad Paisley, you probably picture the quick-witted country star with a guitar in hand and a string of chart-toppers behind him. But there’s much more to ...

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with "Suspicious Minds" Cover

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with “Suspicious Minds” Cover

Elvis Presley’s influence on music is undeniable, and his legacy inspires generations. His 1969 hit “Suspicious Minds” remains a signature track, capturing love, conflict, and heartbreak themes. Decades later, country ...

Alan Jackson Stops "Pop a Top" at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

Alan Jackson Stops “Pop a Top” at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

It’s always remarkable when country legends support each other, especially on music’s biggest stages. Alan Jackson’s unforgettable tribute to George Jones at the 1999 CMA Awards was one such moment, ...