Someday Soon (Ian Tyson song)

"Someday Soon" is a song composed by Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson. He recorded the song with his wife, Sylvia Tyson, as the duo Ian & Sylvia in 1964. Although this version was not released as a single, the song has been recorded by Judy Collins, Moe Bandy and Suzy Bogguss, all of whom had chart success with it. Collins's version was issued as a single to the pop format, while Bandy's and Bogguss's versions were hit singles on country music radio.

"Someday Soon"
Song by Ian & Sylvia
from the album Northern Journey
Language	English
Recorded	1964
Genre	Western
Length	2:18
Label	Vanguard
Songwriter(s)	Ian Tyson
Producer(s)	Unknown

The song has also been recorded by the Kingston Trio on its 1965 Decca album The Kingston Trio (Nick-Bob-John), Esther & Abi Ofarim on their 1966 album The new Esther & Abi Ofarim album,[1] Tanya Tucker on her 1975 eponymous LP, Crystal Gayle on her 1978 album When I Dream, the Canadian alternative country band One Hundred Dollars on their 2008 album Forest of Tears, Glen Campbell on his "I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)" album and Lynn Anderson on her 1970 album Stay There Till I Get There.

Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the "Top 100 Western Songs" of all time.[2]

Ian & Sylvia's original recording

Ian Tyson first recorded this song while married to, and musical partner with, Sylvia Tyson in 1964 on the album Northern Journey.[3] Of Ian Tyson, Richie Unterberger described this version as "clearly point[ing] toward his future C&W/cowboy direction."[3]

Judy Collins version

"Someday Soon"
Single by Judy Collins
from the album Who Knows Where the Time Goes
B-side	"My Father"[4]
Released	early 1969
Genre	Folk
Length	3:43
Label	Elektra #45649
Songwriter(s)	Ian Tyson
Producer(s)	David Anderle
Judy Collins singles chronology
"Both Sides Now" (1968) "Someday Soon" (1969) "Chelsea Morning" (1969)

In 1969, Judy Collins recorded the song for her album Who Knows Where the Time Goes. Released as a single in 1969, it spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #55.[4] In Canada, her version reached #37 on the Top Singles chart published by RPM.

Robb Baker (The Chicago Tribune) reviewing Who Knows Where the Time Goes cited "Someday Soon" along with Collins' original "My Father" as the album's highlights, describing "Someday Soon" as "[Collins'] countriest selection ever...about a girl who vies for a man's affections with...a 'damned old rodeo'."[5] Matthew Greenwald of Allmusic described Collins's rendition favorably, calling it "one of the great story-songs of the 1960s" and praising Collins's vocals.[6]

Chart performance

Chart (1969)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	55
Canadian RPM Top Singles[8]	37

Chris LeDoux version

"Someday Soon"
Song by Chris LeDoux
from the album Rodeo Songs "Old and New"
Language	English
Recorded	1973
Genre	Western
Length	2:30
Label	American Cowboy Songs
Songwriter(s)	Ian Tyson
Producer(s)	Unknown

In 1973, Chris LeDoux recorded the song for his album "Rodeo Songs "Old and New"", released in 1973 through "American Cowboy Songs". The album was reissued by Liberty Records on September 10, 1991.

Moe Bandy version

"Someday Soon"
Single by Moe Bandy
from the album Rodeo Romeo
B-side	"She's Playin' Hard to Forget"[9]
Released	1982
Genre	Country
Length	3:09
Label	Columbia #02735
Songwriter(s)	Ian Tyson
Producer(s)	Ray Baker
Moe Bandy singles chronology
"Rodeo Romeo" (1981) "Someday Soon" (1982) "She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)" (1982)

In 1982, country music singer Moe Bandy covered the song on his album Rodeo Romeo for Columbia Records. It was the second and final single from that album. This version entered the country music charts in the U.S. and Canada, respectively reaching #21 and #36.

Chart performance

Chart (1982)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[10]	21
Canadian RPM Country Tracks[11]	36

Suzy Bogguss version

"Someday Soon"
Single by Suzy Bogguss
from the album Aces
B-side	"Fear of Flying"[12]
Released	September 4, 1991
Genre	Country
Length	3:56
Label	Liberty #44772
Songwriter(s)	Ian Tyson
Producer(s)	Suzy Bogguss Jimmy Bowen
Suzy Bogguss singles chronology
"Hopelessly Yours" (1991) "Someday Soon" (1991) "Outbound Plane" (1992)

Suzy Bogguss charted a recording of the song in 1991, from her album Aces on Liberty Records. It was released in September as the first single from that album, spending twenty weeks on the country singles charts and peaking at #12.[12] The song also reached #16 on the RPM Country Tracks charts.

Bryan Buss of Allmusic described Bogguss's rendition as the "second strongest cut" on Aces, saying that her vocal performance "makes Bogguss an artist and not just a vocalist."[13]

Chart performance

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[14]	16
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15]	12

References

1. Esther Ofarim - Esther and Abi Ofarim - Esther & Abi Ofarim - Ofraim אסתר עופרים
2. Western Writers of America (2010). "The Top 100 Western Songs". American Cowboy. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014.
3. Unterberger, Richie. "Northern Journey review". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
4. Whitburn, Joel (2006). Joel Whitburn's top pop singles 1955-2006. Record Research, Inc. p. 185. ISBN 0-89820-172-1.
5. Chicago Tribune 6 December 1968 "Sounds" by Robb Baker Section 2 p.27
6. Greenwald, Matthew. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes review". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
7. "Judy Collins Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
8. "RPM Top Singles for February 17, 1969". RPM. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
9. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 41. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
10. "Moe Bandy Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
11. "RPM Country Tracks for June 5, 1982". RPM. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
12. Whitburn 2008, p. 53
13. Buss, Bryan. "Aces review". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
14. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1694." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 14, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
15. "Suzy Bogguss Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.