Just Between You and Me is the first collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on January 15, 1968, by RCA Victor. It was produced by Bob Ferguson. The album peaked at number eight on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The only single released, "The Last Thing on My Mind", peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
When Norma Jean announced that she was leaving The Porter Wagoner Show in August 1967, Porter asked Dolly to replace her as the "girl singer" on his television series and road show. Dolly made her first TV appearance on September 5 and the duo made their first concert appearance on September 14, in Lebanon, Virginia. The crowd greeted Dolly with boos and chants for Norma Jean, which led Porter to begin singing duets with Dolly on the show. Monument Records released Dolly's debut album on September 18. In addition to having her join his show as a regular, Porter was instrumental in persuading RCA Victor to sign Dolly to a recording contract. The duo had their first recording session on October 10 at RCA Studio B in Nashville. Dolly's first three session for RCA were limited to duets with Porter as she could not record for RCA as a solo artist until her contract with Monument expired. Porter and Dolly made their first Grand Ole Opry appearance together on November 25.
Recording sessions for the album took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 10, 11, and 12, 1967.
"Put It Off Until Tomorrow" was first recorded by Bill Phillips with uncredited harmony vocals from Dolly for his 1966 album, Put It Off Until Tomorrow. Dolly would record a solo version of the song for her 1967 album, Hello, I'm Dolly. This version of the song would be overdubbed with new instrumentation and vocals from Kris Kristofferson for the 1982 compilation album, The Winning Hand. Dolly would revisit the song again with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette for their 1993 album, Honky Tonk Angels. ?Dolly also recorded an alternate version titled "I'll Put It Off Until Tomorrow" from the perspective of the person leaving the relationship. It was included as the B-side of "The Little Things" in 1966. The most recent version of the song was released in 2024 on Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables and is a duet by Dolly and her uncle Bill Owens, created using a 1983 recording of Bill with contemporary vocals from Dolly.
Dolly recorded a solo version of "The Last Thing on My Mind" for the 2023 compilation album, I Am a Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100.
October 10, 1967 Just Between You and Me Before I Met You Two Sides to Every Story Mommie, Ain't That Daddy
October 11, 1967 Four O Thirty Three Love Is Worth Living The Last Thing on My Mind Sorrow's Tearing Down the House (That Happiness Once Built)
October 12, 1967 Home Is Where the Hurt Is This Time Has Gotta Be Our Last Time Put It Off Until Tomorrow Because One of Us Was Wrong
?The album was released January 15, 1968, on LP and 8-track.
Credits are adapted from the original album liner notes and the 2014 box set, Just Between You and Me: The Complete Recordings, 1967–1976.
Jerry Carrigan – drums Anita Carter – background vocals Pete Drake – steel guitar Dolores Edgin – background vocals Bob Ferguson – producer Mack Magaha – fiddle Jim Malloy – recording engineer Roy Huskey Jr. – bass George McCormick – rhythm guitar Wayne Moss – electric guitar Dolly Parton – lead vocals Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano Buck Trent – electric banjo Bill Turner – liner notes Porter Wagoner – lead vocals
