Houston

Dean Martin

About Houston

"Houston" is a song written by Lee Hazlewood. First recorded in 1964 by Sanford Clark, the song became a hit the next year when sung by Dean Martin. Martin's version spent 9 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 21, while reaching No. 2 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, and No. 11 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade. The lyrics are from the perspective on a down-on-his-luck drifter who describes himself as "a walkin' case of the blues". The verses describe his many misfortunes ("I found a dollar yesterday, but the wind blew it away"), each ending with the repeated refrain "Going back to Houston, Houston, Houston . ..". The mood lightens on the final verse when the narrator reveals that despite his woes, he has a girlfriend waiting for him in the titular city. However, the narrator clarifies this by saying "at least, she said she'd be". Musically, the song is orchestrated country pop with a medium tempo and strolling rhythm, with a brief harmonica solo. Sources differ as to how the distinctive percussive sound at the beginning and end of the song was created. Dean Martin's daughter, Deana Martin, has recounted her father telling her that the percussive sound was created by tapping an empty Coca-Cola bottle with a spoon, while Hal Blaine once stated that he created the sound by tapping a glass ash tray with a triangle wand. 


Year:
2015
34 

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Well it's lonesome in this old town
Everybody puts me down
I'm a face without a name
Just walking in the rain
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston

I got holes in both of my shoes
Well I'm a walking case of the blues
Saw a dollar yesterday
But the wind blew it away
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston

I haven't eaten in about a week
I'm so hungry when I walk I squeak
Nobody calls me friend
It's sad the shape I'm in
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston

Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston
I got a girl waiting there for me
Well at least she said she'd be
I got a home and a big warm bed
And a feather pillow for my head
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston

Well it's lonesome in this old town
Everybody put me down
I'm a face without a name
Just walking in the rain
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston
Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston

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Dean Martin

Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. more »

11 fans

Written by: LEE HAZLEWOOD

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Release Date
"Houston" by Dean Martin was released in the year 1965.
Album Information
The song is from the album "Dean Martin Hits Again," which was released in the same year.
Chart Performance
"Houston" reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Singer's Background
This song is sung by Dean Martin, an American singer, actor, and comedian popular during the mid-20th century.
Genre
The song "Houston" falls under the category of Country Pop and Traditional Pop.
Songwriters
"Houston" was written by Lee Hazlewood, a country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Historical Context
"Houston" was released at the height of NASA's "space race" era, when the city of Houston played a central role, which may explain why Dean Martin chose to release a song about the city.
Song Length
The original version of the song has a duration of 2:41 minutes.
Lyrics Overview
The lyrics talk about a man who has lost his woman in Houston and is embarking on a journey to find her.
Record Label
The label that released "Houston" was Reprise Records, a record label founded by Frank Sinatra showcasing 'his pals' like Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Live Performances
Dean Martin performed the song live on his highly successful television variety program, "The Dean Martin Show".
Other Versions
Despite not being one of Martin's most famous songs, it has been covered by other artists, including Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.
Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart
Aside from its position on the Billboard Hot 100, "Houston" also reached the 2nd spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart.
Song Legacy
Today, "Houston" is considered a classic representation of Dean Martin's musical style, combining easy listening with a touch of country and western flair.

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    "Houston Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31681161/Dean+Martin/Houston>.

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    Houston

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1965

    Billboard #21


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