"Silver Threads and Golden Needles" is a country song written by Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes.[1] It was first recorded by Wanda Jackson in 1956. The original lyrics, as performed by Jackson, contain a verse not usually included in later versions, which also often differed in other minor details.
- In September 1962 a version by UK folk-pop trio the Springfields – featuring Dusty Springfield – reached number 20 on Billboard's Hot 100.[2] It was the first single by a British group to reach the top 20 of the Hot 100.
- Skeeter Davis recorded a version in 1962 after the Springfields' hit for an album track; Davis's version was released as a single by RCA in several international markets.
- Jody Miller released a version in 1965 which peaked at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[3]
- The Cowsills recorded the song on their studio album IIxII. It peaked number 77 on the US Billboard charts in September 1969.[3]
- Linda Ronstadt recorded and released two versions of the song: the first, a pure country song on her 1969 solo debut album Hand Sown ... Home Grown; the second, a country rock crossover version for her 1973 Don't Cry Now album.[4] The second version was released in January 1974 as a single and was Ronstadt's first country chart hit, peaking at number 20. This version also hit the Hot 100, entering the chart on April 6, 1974,[5] and peaking at number 67.
- Sandy Denny recorded the song on her final studio album, Rendezvous, released in 1977.
- In 1993, the country trio Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn recorded the song together on the album Honky Tonk Angels; the song was released as a single, along with an accompanying video. It peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.[6] Parton had previously performed the song at numerous points over the years, including on her 1976-77 variety show, Dolly!, on which she was joined by guests Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
