"With Pen in Hand" is a song written by Bobby Goldsboro and first released on his March 1968 album, Honey.
[1] The song's lyrics address the subjects of divorce and losing custody of one's child, and are sung from the perspective of the parent who expects to be losing custody of their child, as they make a final plea to their spouse to reconcile before the divorce is finalized.
The first single release of "With Pen in Hand" was by Johnny Darrell on April 13, 1968.
In June 1968, Billy Vera released a version of the song,[10] which was his first solo single.
[18] Vikki Carr, who has said: "I had to fight for 'With Pen in Hand',[23] had a 15 November 1968 UK single release with a cover of the song.
Carr, herself in London at the time recording a TV show, promoted the single on British television and radio,[19] facilitating its charting at No.
[24] Also in November 1968, Carr played the Manhattan nightclub Persian Room, with her engagement being recorded as the live album For Once in My Life,[25] from which her performance of "With Pen In Hand" was issued as a single in February 1969.
In 1970, Carr was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her live rendition of "With Pen in Hand".
[36] Goldsboro's version spent 5 weeks on the 1972 Billboard Hot 100, reaching No.
[40] In 1968, Jerry Vale released a version of the song as a single and on the album This Guy's In Love With You.
[44] In 1977, Dorothy Moore released a version of the song as a single and on her eponymous album.