Country music singer Loretta Lynn has come out with a release date for her delayed album Wouldn’t It Be Great, which is currently set for September 18 via Sony Music. The album’s title track has also been released a long with the announcement, which comes a little over a year since the singer’s stroke back in 2017.

“This new record means so much to me, but this last year I had to focus on my health and I decided to hold up the release,” the now 86-year old said in a statement to Pitchfork. “I’m feelin’ good and look forward to it comin’ out. It was really important to me to be a part of it being released and I’m excited to celebrate with everybody!”

“Wouldn’t it Be Great,” starts off simply with just a single acoustic guitar, before the other instruments such as an additional guitar, piano, bass, drum and violin kick in. Lynn’s lyrics describe a song lamenting about love, however the lover in this song is implied to be an alcoholic.”Wouldn’t it be great, hey, hey, wouldn’t that be great? Throw the old glass crutch away and watch it break,” Lynn Laments during the song, which takes an introspective look into this experience.

This upcoming album with be Lynn’s 41st studio album to ever be released, her first being Loretta Lynn sings which was released in 1963. Her country music career has spanned over six decades, during which time she has sold over 45 million albums, 24 number one hit singles and 11 number one albums.

In addition, Lynn has garnered many accolades throughout her career becoming the most awarded female country vocalist in history. During the 1970’s she became the first and only female vocalist to be named the Academy of Country Music’s artist of the decade.

Despite the singer’s age she still manages to tour, however it is unknown when the next tour will occur in support of the upcoming album. In 2016, the artist caught major attention for a music festival appearance at SXSW, next to artists like Chairlift and Blood Orange.

Lynn’s influence spans passed a variety of genres outside of country as well, with notable performers from outside genre’s like Paramore giving her tributes. The White Stripes have even released a cover of her song “Rated X,” in 2015, which was a previously unreleased track by the band.

Her fortieth studio album Full Circle was released in 2016, and featured duets with singers such as Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello. The album was a commercial success for the singer, as it debuted at number 19 for the Billboard 200 chart, becoming Lynn’s highest charting album.

Less than two weeks after her stroke in 2017, the singer-songwriter made was released from the hospital, and expected to make a full recovery. Later that year she made a surprise live appearance at the Music Hall of Fame, where she took to the stage to induct country singer Alan Jackson.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat