"(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" (AKA "Rose Garden") was the title of a song written by Joe South, most famously associated with Lynn Anderson, whose recording topped the U.S. country charts and reached #3 on the U.S. pop charts in 1970. In the song, initially recorded by South himself, the narrator explains to his/her lover that though their relationship is not perfect, they should be grateful for the good and accept the bad along with it. Reportedly, Anderson's record label, Columbia, was not keen on her recording "Rose Garden", as they felt it would seem odd for a woman to be singing lines like "I could promise you things like big diamond rings", but Columbia's reservations aside, the single release of the song was an immediate hit, setting the stage for a series of top ten country singles for Anderson, which would continue throughout most of the 1970s. The song earned Anderson a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Joseph Alfred Souter, known as Joe South (born February 28, 1940, in Atlanta, Georgia), is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter with a distinctive guitar sound. ... Lynn Anderson on the cover of her album The Bluegrass Sessions Lynn Anderson (born September 26, 1947 in Grand Forks, North Dakota) is an American country musician. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... The Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance was first awarded in 1965. ...

In 2005, Martina McBride included the song on her album of covers, Timeless. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Martina McBride at the 2003 American Music Awards. ... Timeless is the title of a 2005 album by American country music singer Martina McBride. ...