My Top Ten Loretta Lynn Songs

Country legend. Feminist icon. Very tough, very funny, very smart lady.

The news of Loretta Lynn's passing came through late yesterday afternoon, but I wanted to pay tribute as quickly as I could. Off the top of my head then, here are ten of her best. I'm sure I've missed some classics, but how am I supposed to compress seven decades of music making into just one post?

10. Coal Miner's Daughter

The amazing origin story! And below is its most recent, heartbreaking recording...

9. Still Woman Enough

Also recorded last year, the title track of her 46th solo album, guest starring Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood, just two of the many, many contemporary country stars who owe their careers to Loretta.

8. Rated X

Everybody knows that you've loved once

They think you'll love again

You can't have a male friend when you're a has been

Or a woman you're rated X

And if you're rated X you're some kind of goal

Even men turnin' silver try to make

But I think it's wrong to judge every picture

If a cheap camera makes a mistake

And when your best friend's husband says to you

You've sure started lookin' good

You should've known he would

And he would if he could

And he will if you're rated X

7. One's On The Way

Feminist icon #1. Because who else gave a voice to mothers and housewives like Loretta did?

6. You're Lookin' At Country

I'm about as old fashioned as I can be and I hope you're likin' what you see

Cause if you're lookin' at me you're lookin' at country

Truer words never been spoken.

5. You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly (with Conway Twitty)

You're the reason I changed to beer from soda pop

An' you're the reason I never get to go to the beauty shop

You're the reason our kids are ugly, little darling

Oh, but looks ain't everything

And money ain't everything

But, I love you just the same

4. The Pill

Feminist icon #2. Even if it got her records banned.

3. Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)

Why would you want to go down the pub if you had Loretta back home? Fool!

2. As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone (with Conway Twitty)

Melodrama has never been so perfectly tragic.

1. Fist City

If you don't wanna go to fist city

You better detour around my town

'Cause I'll grab a you by the hair a the head

And I'll lift off of the ground

I'm not a sayin' my baby's at saint

'Cause he ain't

And that he won't cat around with a kitty

I'm here to tell you gal to lay off a my man

If you don't want to go to fist city

Rest in peace, Loretta... I mean, give 'em hell on the other side!