Dead or Alive (Bill Anderson song)

"Dead or Alive" is a song written and recorded by American country singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released as a single in October 1959 via Decca Records and became a major hit.

"Dead or Alive"
Single by Bill Anderson
B-side	"It's Not the End of Everything"
Released	October 1959 (1959-10)
Recorded	September 1959
Studio	Bradley Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre	Country Nashville Sound[1]
Length	2:35
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Bill Anderson
Producer(s)	Owen Bradley
Bill Anderson singles chronology
"Ninety-Nine" (1958) "Dead or Alive" (1959) "The Tip of My Fingers" (1960)

Background and release

"Dead or Alive" was recorded in September 1959 at the Bradley Studios, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions were produced by Owen Bradley, who would serve as Anderson's producer through most of years with Decca Records.

"Dead or Alive" was released as a single by Decca Records in October 1959.^[2] It spent a total of eight weeks on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart before reaching number 19 in February 1960. It was Anderson's third chart hit and third major hit as a recording artist. The song was not issued on a proper album following its release.^[3]

Track listings

7" vinyl single^[1]

• "Dead or Alive" – 2:35
• "It's Not the End of Everything" – 2:37

Chart performance

Chart (1959–1960)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4]	19