About the Song
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton’s “If Teardrops Were Pennies” is a country music classic that has stood the test of time. The song was released in 1973 and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It has since been covered by countless artists, including Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and Emmylou Harris.
The song’s lyrics are simple but powerful. The narrator imagines a world where tears are worth money. In this world, he would be a wealthy man, as he has cried many tears over the course of his life. He sings of the pain and loss that have caused him to cry, but also of the hope that he will find love and happiness again.
The song’s melody is also simple but effective. It is a slow, mournful ballad that perfectly suits the lyrics. Wagoner and Parton’s vocals are both beautiful and expressive. Their voices blend together seamlessly, creating a hauntingly beautiful sound.
“If Teardrops Were Pennies” is a timeless country classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. It is a song about love, loss, and hope. It is a song that will stay with you long after you hear it.
In addition to its timeless appeal, “If Teardrops Were Pennies” is also significant for its role in the career of Dolly Parton. The song was a major breakthrough for Parton, who was still relatively new to the country music scene at the time. It helped to establish her as a talented singer and songwriter, and it led to her eventual departure from Wagoner’s show to pursue a solo career.
“If Teardrops Were Pennies” is a classic country song that is sure to please fans of the genre. It is a song that is both beautiful and moving, and it is a song that will stay with you long after you hear it.
Here are some specific examples of the song’s lyrical and musical strengths:
- The lyrics are simple but effective. They are easy to understand and relate to, but they also pack a powerful emotional punch.
- The melody is slow and mournful, which perfectly suits the lyrics. It creates a sense of sadness and longing that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Wagoner and Parton’s vocals are both beautiful and expressive. They blend together seamlessly, creating a hauntingly beautiful sound.
Overall, “If Teardrops Were Pennies” is a masterpiece of country music. It is a song that is both timeless and significant, and it is a song that will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Lyrics
An acre of diamonds I'd offer to you
A solid gold mansion, an airplane or two
This whole world would be yours to have and to hold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
I'd have all the riches my pockets would hold
I'd be, oh, so wealthy with treasures untold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
The tears that have fallen won't buy you a thing
The heartaches you've caused me won't pay for a ring
The love that I wanted would not have grown cold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
I'd have all the riches my pockets would hold
I'd be, oh, so wealthy with treasures untold
If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold
But teardrops aren't pennies
And heartaches aren't gold