About the song
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is a deeply emotional song written and recorded by Hank Williams in 1949. Known for its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, this classic piece of country music has been cherished by audiences for decades and covered by numerous artists across various genres.
The song’s creation has an interesting backstory. Hank Williams, a prominent figure in American country music, originally intended for the song to be spoken rather than sung, similar to some of his earlier works. However, he chose to perform it with a melody, which added to its lasting impact. According to Colin Escott’s biography of Williams, the inspiration for the song came from seeing a song title on a list of upcoming record releases, which sparked the creation of this memorable tune. The recording took place on August 30, 1949, at Herzog Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Williams was supported by a talented group of musicians known as the Pleasant Valley Boys, including Zeke Turner on lead guitar, Jerry Byrd on steel guitar, and Louis Innis on rhythm guitar. They were joined by Tommy Jackson on fiddle and Ernie Newton on bass, contributing to the song’s rich, soulful sound.
There has been some debate over the song’s authorship. Music journalist Chet Flippo and Kentucky historian W. Lynn Nickell have suggested that the song’s lyrics were actually written by a young Kentuckian named Paul Gilley, who supposedly sold them to Williams. Despite these claims, there is no widespread acceptance of this theory, and Hank Williams is still celebrated as the song’s credited writer.
Overall, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” remains a touching and significant piece of American music history, reflecting the deep emotional resonance that Williams was known for.
Video
Lyrics
Awful pretty song
I think one of the prettiest things that I ever had the pleasure of comin’ up with
I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I’m so lonesome, I could cry
I’ve never seen a night so long
And time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind the clouds
To hide its face and cry
Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
Like me, he’s lost the will to live
I’m so lonesome, I could cry
The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome, I could cry
That’s a good one
It’s a lonesome song, ain’t it?
Ain’t that lonesome, woo
Now you can’t get any much lonesome right, can you?
Want to whip a will so lonesome it can’t fly
He done got lonesome, man
He needs some company, bad