I'm Not Lisa
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| "I'm Not Lisa" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jessi Colter | ||||
| from the album I'm Jessi Colter | ||||
| B-side | "For the First Time" | |||
| Released | January 16, 1975 | |||
| Recorded | 1974 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:19 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter | Jessi Colter | |||
| Producers | Ken Mansfield Waylon Jennings | |||
| Jessi Colter singles chronology | ||||
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"I'm Not Lisa" is the most successful song by American country music artist Jessi Colter. It was released on January 16, 1975, as the lead single from her album I'm Jessi Colter. The song hit number 1 on the country charts in the US and Canada, and it crossed over to number 4 on the Billboard pop chart. The plaintive love song was Colter's first major hit as a solo artist, following more than ten years of country music performances.[1] The song is Colter's only foray into the pop Top 40, technically giving her a one-hit wonder status despite her multiple country chart hits.[2]
Following this, Colter sang outlaw country duets with her husband Waylon Jennings on the compilation album Wanted! The Outlaws, and she continued her solo career with the album Jessi, both released in January 1976.[2]
"I'm Not Lisa" was written by Colter and describes the pain that comes with dating someone who has not gotten over a previous lover. The previous lover, named Lisa, was taken away by "His hand", which implies that she died and was led away by God. The song is sung from the perspective of the man's current lover named Julie who laments the fact that he cannot get over Lisa.[3]
While singing on the recording of the original version of the song, Colter also played the song's piano accompaniment. The song was produced by Ken Mansfield and Colter's husband, Waylon Jennings. Both men would also produce Colter's 1975 album, as well as her further releases for Capitol records.[4]
Critical reception
In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #140 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.[5]
