The Statler Brothers – The Class of ’57

About The Song

“The Class of ’57” by The Statler Brothers was released in 1972 as the title track of their album The Class of ’57. The song was written by Don Reid, a member of the group, and produced by Jerry Kennedy under Mercury Records. It became one of their early hits, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, marking a significant step in establishing their presence in the country music scene.

The song’s lyrics reflect a nostalgic look back at the lives of a high school graduating class from 1957. It tells a story of youth, friendship, and the inevitable passage of time, capturing the bittersweet emotions of remembering the past and the changes that come with growing older. The narrative style is typical of The Statler Brothers, combining vivid imagery with heartfelt storytelling.

Musically, “The Class of ’57” features traditional country instrumentation paired with the group’s signature four-part vocal harmonies. The arrangement is straightforward, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics and the group’s vocal blend. This style helped the song resonate with audiences who appreciated country music’s storytelling tradition.

Produced by Jerry Kennedy, who worked closely with The Statler Brothers during this period, the track was recorded with a focus on clarity and warmth, supporting the nostalgic theme without overwhelming it with complex instrumentation. The production style is consistent with early 1970s country music trends, favoring simplicity and emotional directness.

The album The Class of ’57 was well-received in the country music community, with the title track standing out as a fan favorite. The song was regularly included in the group’s live performances, underscoring its importance in their catalog. Despite its success on the country charts, “The Class of ’57” did not cross over to the Billboard Hot 100, remaining primarily a country genre hit.

Video

The Statler Brothers – The Class of ’57 (YouTube)

Lyric

Tommy’s selling used cars
Nancy’s fixing hair
Harvey runs a grocery store
And Margaret doesn’t care

Jerry drives a truck for Sears
And Charlotte’s on the make
And Paul sells life insurance
And part-time real estate

Helen is a hostess
Frank works at the mill
Janet teaches grade school
And probably always will

Bob works for the city
And Jack’s in lab research
And Peggy plays organ
At the Presbyterian Church

And the class of ’57 had its dreams
We all thought we’d change the world
With our great works and deeds
Or maybe we just thought the world
Would change to fit our needs
The class of ’57 had its dreams

Betty runs a trailer park
Jan sells Tupperware
Randy’s on an insane ward
And Mary’s on welfare

Charlie took a job with Ford
And Joe took Freddie’s wife
Charlotte took a millionaire
And Freddie took his life

John is big in cattle
Ray is deep in debt
Where Mavis finally wound up
Is anybody’s bet

Linda married Sonny
Brenda married me
And the class of all of us
Is just a part of history

And the class of ’57 had its dreams
But living life day to day
Is never like it seems
Things get complicated
When you get past eighteen
But the class of ’57 had its dreams
Oh, the class of ’57 had its dreams