Ferlin Husky, Jean Shepard - A Dear John Letter Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote the song 'A Dear John Letter'?

   'A Dear John Letter' was written by Billy Barton, Fuzzy Owen, and Lewis Talley.

2. Who popularized 'A Dear John Letter'?

   The song was popularized by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard, becoming a crossover country-pop hit in 1953.

3. What notable record did Jean Shepard achieve with this song?

   When 'A Dear John Letter' topped the Billboard country charts, Jean Shepard became the youngest female artist at 19 years and nine months old to have a No. 1 country single. She held this record for nearly 20 years.

4. Has 'A Dear John Letter' been covered by other artists?

   Yes, several artists have covered the song, including Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare, Red Sovine and Ernest Tubb, and even Pat Boone. There are also international versions, like 'Käre John' in Sweden and 'Drahý můj' in Czech.

5. Was there a reply song to 'A Dear John Letter'?

   Yes, Jean Shepard and Ferlin Husky recorded a follow-up song titled 'Forgive Me, John', which also became a popular country music track.

6. How does the parody version of 'A Dear John Letter' differ from the original?

   Stan Freberg released a parody called 'A Dear John and Marsha Letter', where John tries to speak about his time in battle but is humorously interrupted by Marsha, who laments and eventually sings in the background.