The song was released as a single on Monument Records in March 1966 and became a major Billboard country hit. “Don’t Touch Me” became Seely’s signature song and her biggest hit as a solo artist. It would later appear on her debut studio album and be re-recorded by Seely in later years.
Since its release, Seely’s version of “Don’t Touch Me” has been praised and mentioned by various music journalists and writers. Publications have considered it both a “standard” and a “classic” in country music. Robert Christgau commented on its legacy in an article from the 1970s. “In 1966, Seely’s ‘Don’t Touch Me’ took country women’s sexuality from the honky-tonk into the bedroom even though it didn’t end up there, and the on-again-off-again ache in her voice retained its savor afterwards,” he wrote.
According to numerous books, “Don’t Touch Me” has been classified as a “classic” or “standard” in Country music to record. The song was placed at No. 97 in the book, Heartaches By the Number: Country Music’s 500 Greatest Singles, when it was released in 2003.
“Don’t Touch Me” – Single by Jeannie Seely from the album The Seely Style
Released March 14, 1966
Songwriter Hank Cochran
Charted No.2 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard), No.85 US Billboard Hot 100.
