Album Review: Why Buy The Cow… You’ll Never Love Him Like I Do by Polly Hutt and Her Crackers
Alright, let’s talk about this little gem from 1966. Polly Hutt and Her Crackers might not be a household name today, but their album Why Buy The Cow… You’ll Never Love Him Like I Do is one of those hidden treasures that makes you wonder why it didn’t get more love back in the day. Released on Starday Records, this country-flavored record brings some serious heartache to the table—but also enough sass and wit to keep things interesting.
The title track, “Why Buy The Cow,” sticks with me big time. It's got this clever wordplay going on (you know exactly what she means) paired with a bouncy melody that almost tricks you into forgetting how brutally honest it is. I mean, come on—that phrase has been thrown around forever, but Polly Hutt really owns it here. She delivers the line like she’s leaning over a barstool, giving someone the look. You can practically hear the eye-roll in her voice. It’s catchy as heck, too—you’ll find yourself humming it while washing dishes or waiting for your coffee to brew.
Then there’s “You’ll Never Love Him (Like I Do),” which hits different. This one slows things down and lets Polly pour her soul out. The lyrics are raw and relatable—like, we’ve all been there at some point, right? That gut-punch moment when you realize no matter how hard they try, someone else will never measure up to what you had. Her delivery feels so genuine; it’s like she’s sitting across from you, spilling her guts after one too many cups of tea. The steel guitar adds just enough twang to tug at your heartstrings without being over-the-top.
What I love most about this album is its balance between humor and vulnerability. One minute, Polly’s cracking jokes about relationships (“Why Buy The Cow”), and the next, she’s laying bare her deepest insecurities. It’s refreshing because life doesn’t stick to one tone either, does it? Plus, the band—Her Crackers—is tight. They give these songs a warm, lived-in feel that makes them sound timeless rather than dated.
Polly Hutt may have flown under the radar back then, but man, this album deserves another listen now. If anything, it reminds us that good storytelling never goes out of style. And honestly? Listening to this feels like finding an old letter tucked inside a library book—it’s personal, unexpected, and kinda makes you wish you could sit down with Polly herself to ask how she got so wise.
Oh, and here’s the kicker—I bet if this album came out today, people would lose their minds over “Why Buy The Cow.” Maybe even turn it into a meme. Just saying.
am only here because another channel posted the "B" side of this single, YOU'LL NEVER LOVE HIM LIKE I DO, which I thought was fantastic, and discovered this was the A side and was curious about it, while accurately suspecting from the zany title that it would not be my cup of tea. How often is the wrong side of a 45rpm single thought to be the best, and is promoted. Examples abound, especially in country music
recordings. Obviously the phrase "carefree living" is a euphemism for promiscuous living, and a song about the conniving, woman-using wretch
of a man involved here probably turned everyone else off too. At least I learned what the expression "Why Buy The Cow" implies.? This was "a dud