Who Shot Sam

George Jones

About Who Shot Sam

"Who Shot Sam" is a song by George Jones. It was recorded and released as a single in 1959 by Mercury Records and reached No. 7 on the country singles chart. Jones wrote the song with Darrell Edwards, with whom he had collaborated on several occasions, and Ray Jackson. The song is very similar to "White Lightning". Like "White Lightning", "Who Shot Sam" appeared on the low rungs of the pop chart, peaking at No. 93. The song tells the story about a wild Saturday-night shoot-out in New Orleans, Louisiana.  


Year:
2006
2:23
35 
#1

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Well, I met Sammy Samson down in New Orleans
He had a lot of money and a big limousine
He took us honky-tonkin' on a Saturday night
We met Silly Milly, everything was all right
Her eyes started rollin', we should a-went a-bowlin'
Wham-bam, who shot Sam, my, my

Well, Sam and Silly Milly, about a quarter to four
Was rompin' and a-stompin' on the hardwood floor
Along came Flirty Mirty bargin' in on the fun
Silly Milly got jealous and she pulled out a gun
Tables started crashin', forty-four's a-flashin'
Wham-bam, who shot Sam, my my

Well, the police, fire chief, highway patrol
Knockin' down the front door with a big long pole
Sammy was a-lyin' on the cold, cold floor
Shot through the middle with a forty-four
Milly was a-cryin', Sam was surely dyin'
Wham-bam, who shot Sam, my-my

Well, they took Silly Milly to the jail downtown
Booked Silly Milly for a-shootin' old Sam
The judge he gave her twenty, Milly said "that's a lot"
You shouldn't give me nothing, he was already half shot
A-drinkin' white lightnin' started all the fightin'
Wham-bam, who shot Sam, my-my

Well, the police, fire chief, highway patrol
Knockin' down the front door with a big long pole
Sammy was a-lyin' on the cold-cold floor
Shot through the middle with a forty-four
Milly was a-cryin', Sam was surely dyin'
Wham-bam, who shot Sam, my-my

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George Jones

George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931) is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette. more »

12 fans

Written by: DARRELL EDWARDS, GEORGE JONES, RAY JACKSON

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, GLAD MUSIC CO.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Artist
• The song "Who Shot Sam" is sung by the highly acclaimed American country music artist, George Jones.
Release Year
• It was released in the year 1959, making it one of Jones' early hits in his extensive musical career.
Record Label
• The song was released under the well-recognized label, Mercury Records.
Style
• The song is considered one of the best examples of honky-tonk music, which George Jones was known for.
Songwriters
• "Who Shot Sam" was written by Darrell Edwards, George Jones, and Ray Jackson.
Chart Performance
• Upon its release, "Who Shot Sam" landed on the Billboard country chart and positioned at number seven, marking it as a significant success.
Inspired Other Artists
• The song is acknowledged as an inspiration to many artists in country music, and its influence can be found in other major works.
Other versions
• Other known country artists such as Wanda Jackson and Michael Montgomery have recorded their versions of "Who Shot Sam."
Story in Lyrics
• The song narrates a humourous story about a late-night misadventure at a local watering hole.
Reputation
• George Jones' lively performance of "Who Shot Sam" is one of the reasons why he was considered one of the best storytellers in country music.
Highlighted in Bio
• "Who Shot Sam" is one of the songs discussed in Jones' 1996 biography "I Lived to Tell it All", indicating its importance in his career trajectory.
Album Versions
• It was included in several of George Jones' compilation albums, one of the prominent ones being "Cup of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years."
Longevity
• Despite being released over half a century ago, "Who Shot Sam" remains a popular and respected song in country music circles, attesting to its timeless appeal.

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    Who Shot Sam

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1959

    Billboard #93


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