"When We Tried" is a song written by Jerry Chesnut that was originally recorded by American country artist Jan Howard.
Released as a single by Decca Records, it made the top 40 on the US country chart in 1969.
It was given a positive review by Cash Box magazines and appeared on her eponymous 1969 studio album.
It was distributed by the label as a seven-inch vinyl record with an included B-side called "I Hurt All Over".
[3] Cash Box magazine named it among its "Picks of the Week" and wrote, "The flowing, contemporary folk flavor that has come to be so much in vogue, highlights what should be another big one for Jan."[1] Billboard predicted it would be "her biggest hit to date" and called the song "powerful".