Tiny Blue Transistor Radio

"Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" is a song written by Bill Anderson that was originally recorded by American country music singer Connie Smith. It was released as the B-side to her 1965 single, "Then and Only Then". "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" also became a charting country single, peaking within the top 40 of the national country survey in 1965.

"Tiny Blue Transistor Radio"
Single by Connie Smith
from the album Connie Smith
A-side	"Then and Only Then"
Released	January 1965 (1965-01)
Recorded	November 1964 (1964-11)
Studio	RCA Studio B, Nashville
Genre	Country[1]
Length	2:30
Label	RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)	Bill Anderson
Producer(s)	Bob Ferguson
Connie Smith singles chronology
"Once a Day" (1964) "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" (1965) "I Can't Remember" (1965)

Background, release and chart performance

In 1964, Connie Smith broke through into the mainstream with the hit single "Once a Day". The song (penned by Bill Anderson) reached the top of the country music charts and spent eight weeks there before declining. Her follow-up singles would also prove successful, which would include "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio".^[2] It was also composed by Bill Anderson as well, and was originally intended to be recorded by Skeeter Davis.^[3] The song was recorded in November 1964 at RCA Studio B, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The session was produced by Bob Ferguson. Three additional sides were cut during the same recording session.^[4]

"Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" was originally released as the flip side to Smith's A-side single, "Then and Only Then". The single was released in January 1965 on RCA Victor Records.^[5] The A-side would become a top five country hit, while "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" would reach the top 40. The song spent 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number 25 in March 1965.^[6] The song was later released on Smith's debut self-titled album.^[1]

Track listing

7" vinyl single^[5]

• "Then and Only Then" – 2:23
• "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" – 2:30

Charts

Chart (1965)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7]	25

References

1. "Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
2. Bush, John. "Connie Smith: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
3. Escott, Colin (2001). "Born to Sing (Box Set Liner Notes)". Bear Family Records.
4. Smith, Connie (March 1965). "Connie Smith (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor Records.
5. Smith, Connie (January 1965). ""Then and Only Then"/"Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor Records.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 387–388. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
7. "Connie Smith Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2021.