Lea - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

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Published 2017-05-22
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Hank Williams in 1949. Williams wrote the song originally intending that the words be spoken, rather than sung, as he had done on several of his Luke the Drifter recordings. The song about loneliness was largely inspired by his troubled relationship with wife Audrey Sheppard. With evocative lyrics, such as the opening lines "Hear that lonesome whip-poor-will, he sounds too blue to fly," the song has been covered by a wide range of musicians. During his Aloha from Hawaii TV-special, Elvis Presley introduced it by saying, "I'd like to sing a song that's...probably the saddest song I've ever heard."

Hank Williams version

According to Colin Escott's 2004 book Hank Williams: A Biography, Williams was inspired to write the song when he found it on a schedule of upcoming MGM releases. The song was recorded on August 30, 1949 at Herzog Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Williams is backed by members of the Pleasant Valley Boys - Zeke Turner (lead guitar), Jerry Byrd (steel guitar), and Louis Innis (rhythm guitar) - as well as Tommy Jackson (fiddle) and Ernie Newton (bass).[3] As Escott observes, the plaintive despair in Williams' voice on the recording is echoed by the backing of the musicians:

"Zeke Turner underpinned 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' with recurring figures on the bass strings of the electric guitar. A few weeks earlier, Turner had led the backing on the Delmore Brothers' recording of 'Blues Stay Away From Me' using very similar licks...Jerry Byrd played a solo of unusual simplicity, paraphrashing the melody to haunting effect, subtly adjusting tone and volume. Hank sang with unshakable conviction."

Remarkably, the song was released as the B-side to the blues "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" because up-tempo numbers were deemed more appropriate for the jukebox trade than melancholy ballads. The single reached #4 on the country chart in 1949. The song has become closely identified with Williams' legend and musical legacy and has been widely praised. In the 2003 documentary The Road to Nashville, singer k.d. lang states, "I think 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' is one of the most classic American songs ever written, truly. Beautiful song." In his autobiography, Bob Dylan recalls, "Even at a young age, I identified with him. I didn't have to experience anything that Hank did to know what he was singing about. I'd never heard a robin weep, but could imagine it and it made me sad." In its online biography of the singer, Rolling Stone notes, "In tracks like 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' Williams expressed intense, personal emotions with country's traditional plainspoken directness, a then-revolutionary approach that has come to define the genre through the works of subsequent artists from George Jones and Willie Nelson to Gram Parsons and Dwight Yoakam." Rolling Stone ranked it #111 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the oldest song on the list, and #3 on its 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.
All Comments (21)
  • @WilmaHomemadeMusic
    Every song I hear you sing makes me happy. I see you sing in heaven with the other angels... Thank you for all the wonderful songs you have sang for us
  • @mcgaugh57
    Hank was and always will be my favorite country singer ever, I get chills when he sings.
  • @albertbuksnis5167
    Thank you Lea, love your country songs, please sing more, I'll wait.
  • @shargram
    Lovely vocal Lea, great voice for country music.
  • @rockingphil58
    Loved it Lea beautiful cover of this great old Hank Williams country classic beautifully sung and performed that was fantastic I loved it Lea wow that was great
  • @BillClarke
    Wonderful cover of this great song Lea.......
  • @jdhsingi
    Wonderful rendition of the song. Thanks for sharing.
  • @geoffers47
    Great track and beautifully sung Lea. Cheers! Geoff.
  • @RonnieBeal
    Hey my beautiful friend Lea, it' wonderful hearing your awesome voice again..wow I've missed you..still melting my heart as usual baby..5 star performance here as always Lea, and 'phew just so wicked...still amazing Lea..take care baby.. big hugs......Ronnie xx
  • @semjohnbiggs5946
    As always Lea excellent job covering this sad song, it appears you have the best musicians backing you up๐Ÿ˜‰ Take care and best wishes๐Ÿ’ž John
  • @ImTheDaveman
    Lea., cryin' aint for angels - so dont be cryin', okay? I'd rather hear you sing about it than for you to do it. Beautifully & sweetly sung my dear friend!
  • @AxelRnnvocalguitar
    What a beautiful version, of this Amazing and Lovely song by Hank Williams.. You have done a Awesome good job again, my Dear Sweet Beautiful friend ๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŒผ๐Ÿ’œ. I Love you cover version, Lea. ๐Ÿ’• I wish you, and you family, a Blessed and Happy time ๐ŸŒผ Best wishes from Axel ๐Ÿ˜Š
  • @alankelly1542
    Loved this song forever. Especially Elvis's version. Love your recording. Beautiful xxx