"But You Know I Love You" is a song written by Mike Settle, which was a 1969 pop hit for Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, a group that included Settle and Kenny Rogers. The song also became a major country hit by Bill Anderson in 1969. In 1981, a cover version of "But You Know I Love You" by singer Dolly Parton topped the country singles charts.

Kenny Rogers and The First Edition version

Background

In the song, "But You Know I Love You", the narrator voices regret over not being able to remain with his/her significant other, due to career demands and the need to travel for his/her job. At the time, Mike Settle was guitarist for Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, with Kenny Rogers singing lead and Settle harmonizing. The fall 1968 release, with a brass-tinged country-folk sound to broaden the group's fan base, peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 just under a year after "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" peaked. During the group's rendition on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour that aired on 8 December 1968, the audience was unwittingly fooled to start clapping too soon, right after the false ending but way before the real ending.

Charts

Bill Anderson version

Bill Anderson's cover version of "But You Know I Love You" from his album My Life/But You Know I Love You (Decca DL 75142) rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1969.

Charts

Dolly Parton version

Background

Country entertainer Dolly Parton (who, in 1983, would have the number 1 duet "Islands In The Stream" with Kenny Rogers) in 1980 included "But You Know I Love You", based on the occupation of on-the-road singer, on her album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs. In March 1981, Parton released the song as the album's second single, following the success of "9 to 5," and it reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles chart on 20 June 1981, succeeding Rogers' accompanying Dottie West on "What Are We Doin' in Love" at the top slot. Parton's version also crossed over, bowing at number 82 on 4 April 1981 and peaking at number 41 on 16 May 1981 on the Hot 100 and No. 14 on the AC chart.

Charts

Weekly

Year-end

Other covers