Crystal Gayle will release You Don’t Know Me, her first album in 16 years, on Sept. 6. The 15-track project has the singer covering country standards as well as teaming up with her sisters, Loretta Lynn and Peggy Sue, on a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” which Billboard premieres exclusively today (Sept. 4).
The heartbreaking piano ballad has Gayle singing of a man who did her wrong alongside stunning harmonies from Lynn and Sue. Originally penned by Parton with her uncle, Bill Owens, the song was first recorded by Bill Phillips in 1966 with backing harmonies by Parton herself.
“I am honored that my sisters, Loretta Lynn and Peggy Sue, wanted to sing with me on my new album,” Gayle tells Billboard. “‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’ is one of our favorites and it’s a song that we have performed together many times in concert. Dolly Parton and Bill Owens — Dolly’s uncle — wrote this song, and I love the original hit by Bill Phillips with Dolly singing harmony.”
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With emotive vocals from each sister, the collaboration came together quickly after a day spent on Lynn’s ranch.
“Peggy and I were down visiting Loretta at her ranch when her daughter, Patsy Lynn Russell, came in,” Gayle recalls. “Patsy told Loretta that I was recording a classic country album and asked her if she would like to sing on it. Not long afterwards the three of us were in the studio together.”
You Don’t Know Me features revered country standards including “Cryin’ Time,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “You Don’t Know Me” and “Hello Walls,” among others. Of her first album in 16 years, Gayle says, “I decided to release an album after so many years because, as my grandson Elijah said, ‘It’s about damn time!’”
Listen to “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” below.