(Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn
Encyclopedia
" The Lincoln Park Inn" is a song made famous by country music
singer Bobby Bare
. Written by Tom T. Hall
, the song became a major hit for Bare in the spring of 1969, peaking at No. 4 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles
chart.
style through the eyes of a family man, who describes everyday domestic life in the verses of his song. However, this is all background, as the main subject of the song is about his recent adulterous
relationship with a woman named Margie. The two, as the song's title implies, had a sexual liaison at a motel
called the Lincoln Park Inn.
Now, the main protagonist now regrets his affair, and has both admitted his affair to his wife and is about to speak to a youth group
about the pitfalls of infidelity. However, he still harbors deep temptation for Margie ("I know why she's there/I've been there before"), and — still having her telephone number — knows full well that she is often a client at the inn and is probably there as he speaks.
, Johnny Duncan
, Jimmy C. Newman
, Ray Price
, The Statler Brothers and Mel Tillis
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Bobby Bare
Bobby Bare
Robert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
. Written by Tom T. Hall
Tom T. Hall
Thomas "Tom T." Hall is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has written 11 #1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the pop crossover hit "I Love", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100...
, the song became a major hit for Bare in the spring of 1969, peaking at No. 4 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart.
Song plot
The song is told first-personFirst-person narrative
First-person point of view is a narrative mode where a story is narrated by one character at a time, speaking for and about themselves. First-person narrative may be singular, plural or multiple as well as being an authoritative, reliable or deceptive "voice" and represents point of view in the...
style through the eyes of a family man, who describes everyday domestic life in the verses of his song. However, this is all background, as the main subject of the song is about his recent adulterous
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
relationship with a woman named Margie. The two, as the song's title implies, had a sexual liaison at a motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
called the Lincoln Park Inn.
Now, the main protagonist now regrets his affair, and has both admitted his affair to his wife and is about to speak to a youth group
Youth group
Youth group may refer to:* Youth Group, an Australian band* Youth club, a social and activities club for young people* Youth ministry, an age-specific type of religious ministry...
about the pitfalls of infidelity. However, he still harbors deep temptation for Margie ("I know why she's there/I've been there before"), and — still having her telephone number — knows full well that she is often a client at the inn and is probably there as he speaks.
Chart performance
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 7 |
Cover versions
In addition to Bare and Hall, "The Lincoln Park Inn" (as the song is sometimes known) has also been recorded by country performers Johnny DarrellJohnny Darrell
Johnny Darrell was an American country music artist.Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama but grew up in Marietta, Georgia. After a stint in the army, he moved to Nashville and began managing a Holiday Inn near Music Row when he was discovered by Kelso Herstin, a producer working for United...
, Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan (country music artist)
Johnny Richard Duncan was an American country singer. In his career, he released fourteen studio albums, including thirteen on Columbia Records...
, Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy Yves Newman , better known as Jimmy C. Newman , is an American singer and a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana...
, Ray Price
Ray Price (musician)
Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music...
, The Statler Brothers and Mel Tillis
Mel Tillis
Lonnie Melvin Tillis , known professionally as Mel Tillis, is an American country music singer. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits....
.