On this day in 1972: 13-year-old Tanya Tucker entered a studio to record her first hit, “Delta Dawn.”

“Delta Dawn” is a song written by former child rockabilly star Larry Collins and songwriter Alex Harvey, best known as a 1972 top ten country hit for Tanya Tucker and a number one hit for Helen Reddy in 1973.

The first recording of “Delta Dawn” was made by Harvey for his eponymous album released in November 1971. Harvey had performed as the opening act for Helen Reddy at the Troubadour, in January 1972, but at that time Reddy (who also was signed with the Capitol Records label) made no connection with any of Harvey’s compositions.

Dianne Davidson sang backup for Harvey’s recording. She was the first singer after Harvey to record the song and chart in 1971–1972.

Tracy Nelson also sang backup on Harvey’s recording, and performed “Delta Dawn” in her live act.

After hearing Tracy Nelson sing it at the Bottom Line in New York City, Bette Midler added the song to her repertoire.

During the time Tanya Tucker’s and Helen Reddy’s recordings of the song were being produced, Bette Midler recorded “Delta Dawn” for her The Divine Miss M debut album, for which her bluesy version was planned as the lead single. Reddy’s single was released June 1973, two days before Midler’s. The preemption required a marketing change for Midler, so the original B-side “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was shopped to radio, itself becoming a Top Ten hit.

Before Midler’s recording, Nashville-based producer Billy Sherrill heard her sing “Delta Dawn” on The Tonight Show and wanted to sign Midler to Epic Records and have her record it. Upon finding that Midler was already signed to Atlantic Records, Sherrill cut the song with Tanya Tucker, who was newly signed to Epic, and Tucker’s version was released in April 1972; it reached #6 in C&W that spring.