The Wild Side of Life
Hank Thompson
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Well, you wouldn't read my letters if I wrote you You asked me not to call you on the phone There's something I've been waiting for to tell you So I wrote it in the words of this song You never knew there were honky tonk angels Or you might have known I'd never make a wife You walked out on the only one who ever loved you So I went back to the wild side of life Now the glamor of the good life always lead me To the places where the wild liquor flows I tried to be your one and only angel But I'm not that kind of angel, heaven knows I cried so hard the day you went and left me 'Cause some things you said, they cut me like a knife What you wanted was another kind of angel And you should be back to the wild side of life No, well, I guess I'm just a honky tonk angel I might have known I'd never make a wife Well, you left the only one who ever loved you And I'm back here on the wild side of life I'm only a honky tonk angel I might have known I'd never make a wife You walked out on the only one who ever loved you And you left me here on the wild side of life
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
2 fans
Written by: Buddy Guy
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Date"The Wild Side of Life" by Hank Thompson was released in 1952 and became one of his most popular hits.
|
Chart PerformanceThe song was a major hit and reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, where it remained for 15 weeks.
|
Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by various artists over the years, including Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, and Freddy Fender.
|
Cultural Impact"The Wild Side of Life" is recognized as one of the classic honky-tonk songs, often associated with traditional country music.
|
Answer SongThe song is famous for its "answer" song titled "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," recorded by Kitty Wells. This song was an answer from the female perspective to the themes of Thompson's hit.
|
Song's ThemeThe song tells the story of a man who loses his woman to the nightlife and blames the allure of the bar scene and the wild side of life.
|
SongwritersThe song was written by Arlie Carter and William Warren, making it one of the iconic pieces of the 1950s country genre.
|
Album AppearanceOne of the earliest album appearances of this song was on Hank Thompson's 1955 album titled "Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys."
|
Live PerformancesThompson often performed this song live, and it became a staple at his concerts, usually receiving the most applause from the audience.
|
Critical Recognition"The Wild Side of Life" is often cited by critics as one of the greatest country songs of all-time. It was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2016.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"The Wild Side of Life Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35271912/Hank+Thompson/The+Wild+Side+of+Life>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the The Wild Side of Life Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In