The album was released in December 1966 and became Loretta Lynn's first album to reach number one on the Billboard country albums chart. The title track, co-written by Lynn and her sister Peggy Sue, was a massive hit and is considered an early feminist anthem in country music.
Recorded at Owen Bradley's studio in Nashville, Tennessee, the album featured top session musicians, including guitarist Harold Bradley and pianist Floyd Cramer. Bradley's production helped define Lynn's classic sound, blending honky-tonk with polished arrangements.
The album was controversial for its time due to its frank lyrics about male alcoholism and infidelity, leading some radio stations to refuse airplay. However, its commercial success cemented Lynn as one of the most important voices in 1960s country music.