Released 1970 Label RCA Victor | Recorded 1970 Length 3:10 | |
Joanne was the only Top 40 single for Michael Nesmith as a solo artist. The single was issued by RCA Records in 1970, from the album Magnetic South, the first album released by Nesmith and The First National Band after he left The Monkees. In the United States, the song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Top 100 on 3 October 1970. It went to No. 4 in Canada, No. 7 in Australia, and No. 1 in New Zealand.
"Joanne" was the second single issued from Magnetic South, following the release of "Little Red Rider" (which did not chart). On the B-side of "Joanne", the track "One Rose" appears.
The song would be a regular on all of Nesmith's solo concert tours and has appeared on all three of his live albums: Live At The Palais, Live at the Britt Festival and Movies of the Mind. Nesmith would also spoof Joanne on his home video, Elephant Parts, with the song Rodan.
The song was covered by crooner Andy Williams for his 1970 album, The Andy Williams Show.