| The 3rd Time Around | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1965 | |||
| Recorded | 1964–1965 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 25:52 | |||
| Label | Smash | |||
| Producer | Jerry Kennedy | |||
| Roger Miller chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |  [1] |
The 3rd Time Around is the third studioalbum by Americancountry music singerRoger Miller. It was released under theSmash Records label in June 1965[2] (see1965 in country music). The record reached #1 on thecountry album charts and #13 on theBillboard 200, his third highest ranking on the pop albums charts, and his only #1 country album.[3]
Four singles were released from the album: "Engine Engine #9," "One Dyin' and a Buryin'", "Kansas City Star", and "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me". The first three all peaked in the top 10 on theCountry singles chart. "Engine, Engine #9" was also a top 10 crossover hit on theBillboard Hot 100 andHot Adult Contemporary Tracks as was "Kansas City Star" on the latter chart. "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me" did not fare as well. It was later recorded byEddy Arnold, whose version was a #2 country hit in 1966,[4] and by NFL quarterbackTerry Bradshaw, whose version was also a hit on the country charts.
3rd Time was cited as a return to the "honky tonk roots" of Roger Miller.[5]
After releasing material during the two-day session that brought forthhis debut album, and some of the tracks fromThe Return of Roger Miller, another album from the extra cuts recorded at the session were compiled with a few other songs to produceThe 3rd Time.[6] Miller wrote all twelve of the songs on the album, with assistance fromBuddy Killen on "I'll Pick Up My Heart (And Go Home)."
Upon its release,Billboard designatedThe 3rd Time Around a "Spotlight Pick" and identified it as "another hot contender full of clever original compositions."[7]Allmusic gave the album five stars, lauding it for the "extra effort" put in "to make it sound fresh and different." The publication observed that "at least half of the dozen titles here are among his most famous." The tracks "Swiss Maid," "Big Harlan Taylor", and "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me" were cited as presenting a "range of themes and characters" consistent with Miller's "individualistic style." "Kansas City Star" was described as a "rockabilly-flavored classic."[6]
All songs are written by Roger Miller, except "I'll Pick Up My Heart (And Go Home)," by Miller andBuddy Killen.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Engine, Engine #9" | 2:18 |
| 2. | "This Town" | 2:02 |
| 3. | "The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me" | 2:45 |
| 4. | "Water Dog" | 2:10 |
| 5. | "I'll Pick up My Heart (And Go Home)" | 2:13 |
| 6. | "Swiss Maid" | 2:02 |
| 7. | "It Happened Just That Way" | 1:50 |
| 8. | "The Good Old Days" | 2:13 |
| 9. | "One Dyin' and a Buryin'" | 2:03 |
| 10. | "Kansas City Star" | 2:17 |
| 11. | "Big Harlan Taylor" | 2:05 |
| 12. | "Swing Low Swingin' Chariot" | 1:54 |
| Chart (1965)[8] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S.Top Country Albums | 1 |
| U.S.Billboard 200 | 13 |
| Year | Song | US Country[9] | US[9] | US AC[10] | CAN | UK[11] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Engine, Engine #9" | 2 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 33 |
| 1965 | "One Dyin' and a Buryin'" | 10 | 34 | - | - | - |
| 1965 | "It Just Happened That Way" | - | 105 | - | - | - |
| 1965 | "Kansas City Star" | 7 | 31 | 3 | 9 | 48 |
