"The Last Thing on My Mind" is a song written by American

musician A musician is someone who Composer, composes, Conducting, conducts, or Performing arts#Performers, performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general Terminology, term used to designate a person who fol ...

and singer-songwriter

Tom Paxton Thomas Richard Paxton (born October 31, 1937) is an American folk singer-songwriter whose career spans more than sixty years. In 2009, Paxton received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

in the early 1960s and recorded first by Paxton in 1964. It is based on the traditional

lament A lament or lamentation is a passionate expression of grief, often in music, poetry, or song form. The grief is most often born of regret, or mourning. Laments can also be expressed in a verbal manner in which participants lament about something ...

song "

The Leaving of Liverpool "(The) Leaving of Liverpool" ( Roud 9435), also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love", is a folk song. Folklorists classify it as a lyrical lament and it was also used as a sea shanty, especially at the capstan. It is very well known in ...

". The song was released on Paxton's 1964 album '' Ramblin' Boy'', which was his first album released on

Elektra Records Elektra Records (or Elektra Entertainment) is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt. It played an important role in the development of contemporary folk and rock music between the ...

. The song remains one of Paxton's best-known compositions.

Composition

The song is based on the traditional

song "

", and also builds on

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

's song " Farewell".

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton version

"The Last Thing on My Mind" was covered by

Porter Wagoner Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. In 1967, he introduced singer Dolly Parton on his television show, ''The Por ...

and

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily as a country music, country musician. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton's debut album ...

and released as their debut duet single on October 30, 1967, by

RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside Columbia Records (its former longtime rival), Arista Records and Epic ...

. Their version peaked at No.7 on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

Hot Country Singles Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. This 50-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly by collecting airplay data along with digital sales and streaming. ...

chart, the first of an almost uninterrupted string of top ten singles they would release over the next several years.

Critical reception

The single was well received by critics upon release. ''

'' gave a positive review of the single, which said that Wagoner and Parton's "initial outing should be a giant." They concluded by saying that "the folk-oriented ballad...has much pop potential." In another positive review, '' Cashbox'' called the single "a very effective updating of the contemporary folk ditty," with "an appealing blending of voices" which "makes this a good bet for big chart honors."

Commercial performance

"The Last Thing on My Mind" debuted at No.70 on the ''

chart. It would eventually peak at No.7 and spend a total of 17 weeks on the chart. The single's B-side, "Love Is Worth Living", was successful in Canada, peaking at No.4 on the ''

RPM Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or r⋅min−1) is a unit of rotational speed (or rotational frequency) for rotating machines. One revolution per minute is equivalent to hertz. Standards ISO 80000-3:2019 def ...

'' Country Singles chart.

Track listing

*7" single (RCA Victor 47-9369) #"The Last Thing on My Mind" – 2:34 #"Love Is Worth Living" – 2:32

Personnel

Adapted from RCA recording session records. *Jerry Carrigan – drums *Anita Carter – background vocals *Pete Drake – steel *Dolores Edgin – background vocals *Bob Ferguson – producer *Roy M. Huskey Jr. – bass *Mack Magaha – fiddle *George McCormick – rhythm guitar *Wayne Moss – electric guitar *Dolly Parton – lead vocals *Hargus Robbins – piano *Buck Trent – banjo *Porter Wagoner – lead vocals

Charts

Dolly Parton solo version

A solo version by Dolly Parton was released on February 16, 2023, from the

Doc Watson Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. He won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His ...

tribute album ''I Am a Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100.'' The song was nominated for the 66th Grammy Awards in the Best Country Solo Performance category.

Other recordings

The song has also been recorded by dozens of artists, including: * Bill Anderson *

Chet Atkins Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), also known as "Mister Guitar" and "the Country Gentleman", was an American musician who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson (musician), Bob Ferguson, helped create the Nash ...

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* Bojoura *

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(with

Diana Trask Diana Roselyn Trask (born 23 June 1940) is an Australian singer, songwriter and author. She was considered to be one of the first Australian music artists to find success in the United States, particularly in the genres of pop and country. Bo ...

) *

Liam Clancy Liam Clancy (; 2 September 1935 – 4 December 2009) was an Irish folk singer from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. He was the youngest member of the influential folk group the Clancy Brothers, regarded as Ireland's first pop stars. They achi ...

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* Cry, Cry, Cry *

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Joe Dassin Joseph Ira Dassin (; November 5, 1938 – August 20, 1980) was an American–French singer-songwriter. In his career spanning sixteen years (1964–1980), he enjoyed numerous successes in France and the French-speaking world, as well as singing ...

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* Danny Doyle *

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* Julie Felix * Flatt & Scruggs *

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* Noel Harrison *

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* Samuel Hui * Joe and Eddie *

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* Misty River * The Chad Mitchell Trio *

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* Daniel O'Donnell *

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* Punch Brothers * Stu Phillips *

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with

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* Johnny Silvo *

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* The Vejtables *

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as "Ich werd' es überstehn (Last Thing On My Mind)" with German lyrics *

* The Womenfolk

Soundtrack

It is performed by the Punch Brothers and Stark Sands in the soundtrack of the

Coen Brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, together known as the Coen brothers (), are an American filmmaking duo. Their films span many genres and styles, which they frequently subvert or parody. Among their most acclaimed works are '' Blood Simple'' (198 ...

' film ''

Inside Llewyn Davis ''Inside Llewyn Davis'' () is a 2013 period black comedy drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. Set in 1961, the film follows one week in the life of Llewyn Davis, played by Oscar Isaac in his breakthrough ...

'' (2013).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Thing on My Mind, The 1964 songs 1967 debut singles RCA Victor singles Dolly Parton songs Porter Wagoner songs The Kingston Trio songs Glen Campbell songs Peter, Paul and Mary songs Joe Dassin songs Songs written by Tom Paxton Song recordings produced by Bob Ferguson (musician) Song recordings produced by Paul A. Rothchild