Carlene Carter Fan Club: Music

"I Couldn't Say No," written by Robert Ellis Orrall. Produced by Roger Bechirian.

The song was included on Robert's 5-song "Special Pain" E.P. and Mini Cassette.

"I Couldn't Say No" was also released as a single (Robert Ellis Orrall with Carlene Carter), which reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart (the only Top-40 pop hit by either artist). The duo appeared on the syndicated television series "Solid Gold," and the song made Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio countdown.

Carlene and Robert later collaborated as co-writers of "The Sweetest Thing," which was the third single (and second video) from Carlene's 1990 "I Fell In Love" CD, making both the country singles and video charts.

Writing credit was again shared (Robert Ellis Orrall / Carlene Carter / Howie Epstein) on "Uh Oh (Here Comes Love)," recorded by Dawn Sears for her "Nothin' But Good" CD, on Decca Records in 1994.

"I Couldn't Say No" has been included on two different compilations of rare singles previously unreleased on CD:

"Heard It On The Radio Volume 1," released by Renaissance in 1998. (The photos of Carlene and Robert on the CD cover are both from 1993, a whole decade after "I Couldn't Say No.")

And "Barry Scott Presents The Lost 45s Of The '70s & '80s Volume Two" from 2000, which can be ordered directly from "The Lost 45s" website for $35.95

Both of these CDs can occasionally also be found on websites like Amazon.com for as much as $50.

Carlene and Robert in the recording studio.

Thank you very much to Robert for sharing this very rare photo with us!

"I Couldn't Say No" 45.

"I Couldn't Say No" Sheet Music.