Who first sang the song "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden"?

"Rose Garden" (sometimes stylized as "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden") is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969. In 1970, Lynn Anderson recorded "Rose Garden" after hearing Joe South's version. However, Anderson's producer rejected the song's recording because he did not consider it to be a female tune.

“Rose Garden,” written by Joe South, became a crossover hit, soaring to the top of both the country and pop charts and earning Ms. Anderson a Grammy in 1971. An album of the same title was the top-selling one by a female country artist from 1971 to 1997. Ms. Anderson attributed the song’s popularity to its emotional tug as the nation was trying to recover from the war in Vietnam. “This song stated that you can make something out of nothing,” she told The Associated Press. “You take it and go ahead.” The song was recorded only by a fluke. The producers, including her husband, argued that the lyrics made it a man’s song — it includes the line “I could promise you things like big diamond rings.” But a studio session ended 15 minutes early and with no other songs scheduled, Miss Anderson persuaded the crew to record “Rose Garden.”