"Life Turned Her That Way" is a song written by Harlan Howard and first recorded by American country music artist Little Jimmy Dickens in 1965. Mel Tillis recorded it in 1967 and released it as a single in February and was his seventh chart entry. Ricky Van Shelton would also later record it and release it as a single. It was the fourth single released from his debut album, Wild-Eyed Dream. Released in late 1987, it was his second number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in early 1988.

Covers

This song was recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens (1965). In the 1960s, it was covered in 1967 by Mel Tillis and released as a single where it went to No. 11, Charley Pride (1967), George Jones (1967), James Carr (1968), Sonny Strickland (Unknown year), and Ernest Tubb (1968). Many more famous country acts would cover the song such as Sleepy LaBeef, Willie Nelson and Conway Twitty. Soul singer James Carr recorded it in 1968.

Charts

Mel Tillis

Ricky Van Shelton

"Life Turned Her That Way" reached number one on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It was his first single to number one on that chart.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts