Rose Garden was written by Joe South and included on his 1969 album,
Instrospect. Freddy Weller, Billy Joe Royal and Dobie Gray each recorded the song as well, but it wasn t until Anderson s version that it became a chart-topping single.
“It was popular because it touched on emotions,” Anderson said. “It was perfectly timed. It was out just as we came out of the Vietnam years, and a lot of people were trying to recover.
“This song stated that you can make something out of nothing,” she continued. “You take it and go ahead. It fit me well, and I’ll be proud to be connected to it until I die.