"I Can't Remember" is a song written by Bill and Bette Anderson, and recorded as a single by American country

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...

 artist, Connie Smith

Connie Smith

Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...

. It was produced by Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson (music)

Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...

 and was released on her 1965 album, Cute 'n' Country

Cute 'n' Country

Cute 'n' Country is the second studio album by American country music artist, Connie Smith. The album was released in October 1965 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson...

. The song was released in April 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart, becoming her third Top 10 hit. It was Smith's third single released under the RCA Victor label.

Background and content

"I Can't Remember" was the third single written by Bill Anderson, however with this song, it was co-written with Bette Anderson. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...

 March 17, 1965 at RCA Victor's Studio B. The session was produced by Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson (music)

Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson Sr was an American songwriter, record producer who was instrumental in establishing Nashville, Tennessee as a center of country music; movie producer, and Choctaw Indian historian. Ferguson wrote the bestselling songs "On the Wings of a Dove" and "The Carroll County...

 (who also produced her three other singles) and was backed by Nashville's "A-Team" of musicians, which included Charlie McCoy

Charlie McCoy

Charles "Charlie" Ray McCoy is an American musician noted for his harmonica playing. In his career, McCoy has backed several notable musicians including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Astor, Elvis Presley and Ween. He has also recorded thirty-seven studio albums, including fourteen for Monument Records...

 on bass guitar

Bass guitar

The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....

, Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano

Piano

The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...

, and part of Anderson's touring band, The Po' Boys. The song's female narrator explains how her lover called her late at night explaining he must leave town. Although he had told her where he was going, the woman could not remember, "but can't forget he's gone." The song's first chorus explains its storyline:

Did he say Sunday noon or one day soon

I think he left with Dan, but what if he said Ann

Did they go to meet a train or leave to catch a plane

I can't remember but I can't forget he's gone

Like her previous two singles released, "I Can't Remember" featured Smith performing the song's guitar accompaniment, as well as singing lead vocals.

Chart performance

"I Can't Remember" was released in April 1965, one month after its recording session, becoming her third single released on RCA Victor Records. The song became Smith's third Top 10 hit in a row, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Songs

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, while also peaking on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. It was issued on Smith's second RCA Victor album, Cute 'n' Country

Cute 'n' Country

Cute 'n' Country is the second studio album by American country music artist, Connie Smith. The album was released in October 1965 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson...

 in October 1965 and was the only single spawned from the album. The song was a series of singles written by Bill Anderson, who had written Smith's prior hits, "Once a Day

Once a Day

"Once a Day" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded as the debut single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson for her self-titled debut album. The song was released in August 1964, topping the Billboard country music chart for eight weeks between late...

" and "Then and Only Then

Then and Only Then

"Then and Only Then" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded by American country artist, Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and released on her self-titled debut album that year. The song was released in January 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart in...

."

Charts

Chart (1965)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs 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...	9
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100	30