Country Songs That Will Tug at Your Heart
76This material was written by PegCole17 who retains all rights to publication. If you are reading this on any site other than HubPages then this material has been copied without my permission and is a violation of copyright law. I would appreciate if you would contact me at pegcole17.hubpages.com to report any misuse.
Growing up in a southern family there was no way to escape the onslaught of Country music that filtered in on the air waves at our childhood home. Having a mother who was from Fort Worth Texas and a dad from South Georgia, it was inevitable that their hit tunes of the day would become ingrained in the deepest recesses of my mind.
I recall going with my parents to radio station studios where fringed cowboys with steel guitars would twang out a two-hankie number that would leave most of the audience sniffling. Here is one of my favorite singers from that era of bitter-sweet music, sung by the queen of hearts herself, Patsy Cline.
Patsy Cline - Crazy
While doing chores on a Saturday morning, you could be sure the reel to reel tape was playing loudly in the background, its rotation punctuated by occasional squeaks as the tape ran through the magnetic rollers. As we worked nearby ironing clothes or dusting the furniture, we accompanied those heartbreaking tunes by belting them out at the top of our lungs. We knew the words to all of them by heart. It was our key source of entertainment.
Our parents maintained a collection of pirated amateur recordings from early television and radio performances such as "The Arthur Godfrey Hour" or "The Tex Ritter Show". There was even a rival to today's American Idol, called "The Gong Show" which featured new talent of the day. The phrase "Get the hook" came from the judges who, determining that the act was inferior, would bring out a long hook of sorts and yank the performer physically from the stage.
Other times, an applause meter would gauge the audience's appreciation by the sound level of their clapping. The shows featured an assortment of singers including Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and the Smokey Mountain Gang, Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Snow, Jimmie Dean and other great singers of the day.
Ghost Riders In The Sky, Marty Robbins
Visiting the local diner for a meal, you would immediately be brought an ice cold glass of water, arriving almost as quickly as you sat down. Next to the wall on each table one could often find a miniature red jukebox allowing the patrons to insert their nickles and hear their favorite tunes while eating.
At the top of the device was a lever that let the user page through the offerings on the blurry typewritten pages seeking out their favorite song before pressing the appropriate push buttons of the song's code. The cafe patrons didn't have long to wait before their choice record would drop down into place on the turntable of the main jukebox, start spinning and the song would begin to play.
"Please mister, please, don't play B seventeen. It was our song, it was his song, now it's oh over." Olivia Newton-John
Ninety-nine, Bill Anderson
She's Got You, Patsy Cline
At any church or social gathering where music was played, the old favorites were sure to be sung by the locals who emulated the greats of the day.
Roy Acuff and The Great Speckled Bird
We knew the words to our few vinyl LP albums well enough that the three of us kids could lip sync the songs and often performed them for my parents' friends who came to visit.
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Elvis
During the time these classic tunes were gaining popularity we lived in a number of Eastern States as dependents of the military: Newport, Rhode Island; Norfork, Virginia; Valdosta, Georgia, Key West, Florida and Bayonne, New Jersey as we relocated at the U.S. Navy's ever changing orders.
Our 1954 Cadillac in the background of this picture was the apple of my father's eye and certainly the most expensive of our meager belongings. We may have been visiting friends or just driving through the state enroute to our next destination that November in Vermont. I count this among my favorite snapshots, noting that everyone in the family is wearing a coat except me; I refused to cover up my gorgeous new dress.
Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams Sr.
Despite my thoughtless mockery of my parent's taste in music as an adolescent, with the passage of time these old tunes have come to represent those days of my young life when things were less complicated.
Sharing these songs (tearjerkers as we used to call them) and replaying them while I wrote this hub has been like a trip down memory lane for me. I hope you will enjoy a few of them as well.
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12 Greatest Hits by Patsy Cline (CD, Dec-1988, MCA Nashville)
Current Bid: $.99
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Patsy Cline CRAZY BEST OF 50 Tracks WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT New Sealed 2 CD
Current Bid: $6.99
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 | Amazon Price: $11.10 List Price: $19.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.99 |
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This is so cool ... Thanks Peg! Will return again and again!
Oh, this is so lovely Peg. What a beautiful story, what beautiful photos and images, what beautiful memories, what beautiful songs. I'm glad you didn't cover up your nice dress! Funny that you belted out songs while doing the dishes. We did that too in our house.
Hey there Sunnie, Come back anytime you can and share a few songs with me. We'll do some housework and sing together. Or maybe just sing. Away with the housework. Be gone. Thanks for coming over all this way out to the country. Stay for dinner won't you? Peg
Haha I heard in the cafe too but Sunnie had a long run but I had to fly. Lol
Lovely stories and photos. Love the fact that you didn't want to put a coat on and hide your new dress. Lol.
Well this is my hub for the day. I shall be keeping this open and listening while reading others. Love Ghost riders in the sky.
Thank you for the memories and smiles
Hey there Snakeslane,
Hope your plumbing trouble has been resolved. Frozen pipes are no fun. Thanks for running over here to listen to these old songs. I still love them. And funny you should say about belting out songs while doing dishes. We did that for sure. All the dogs in the neighborhood were howling. Hahahah. Please come back for another listen. I'll likely be adding more songs. Just can't stop the feeling. . . Peg
Yes Peg, all fixed, no damage. Installed a heat tape and insulation for the pipe. Lucky was only frozen in one spot right at the intake. I've already been back here five times, what fun. I grew up singing (starting in Sunday School) that was the only entertainment we had.
Hello Rosemay, Wow. Thanks for flying out to this hub. I just tried out the "reply" button for the first time. Pretty cool. You know, I kinda remember being a brat at the time about the coat, thus the perturbed expression on Dad. I love Ghost Riders too! Come back anytime. I miss your picture but I still love the baby and dog pic. See you at the cafe soon. I will be over for coffee.
Snakeslane, We had broken pipes under our house a few years back and the spouse was under there for a few hours trying to weld the copper pipes back together. Lucky for me he could do the work or it would have been quite expensive. Not so lucky for him, there are spiders and snakes (LOL) under the house.
We sang in Sunday school, while on road trips and around the house as well. Good fun. Stop back by if you can.
I know plumber was laughing about all the work he's going to get out of this cold snap. Spiders and snakes yuk! I'm glad I didn't have to crawl under there!
C R A Z Y .......
what I am for my Sista and also after a long night of teaching! Couldn't 'hit the hay' before saying this will be one of my first 'A'ssignments in the morning... you have selected some of my very favorite songs to enjoy and I want to fully absorb your story as well.
Gotta love 'The Gong Show'...! Sleep well, Peg!
Good morning Mar, Oh Yes, CRAZY. What a great old tune. We're headed out for pre-testing etc this morning in prep for tomorrow's big day. Will get back to you later. Thanks for the visit and hope to see you back soonest. Love.
Peg
Life in rural Alberta had the same music for background; after all, the scenery certainly fit: rolling prairies, cattle herds, men in cowboy hats, horses, and loads of pick-up trucks. Patsy Cline and Hank Williams were the local favorites. Thanks for this stroll down memory lane -- yours and mine. Lynda
Great hub peg, brings back a load of memories even from UK we loved country & western songs. I guess Patsy was one of our favourites, Geoff and I still play the oldies they are the best. Glad you included Elvis,
The only one I didn't know was Roy Acuff.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Peg, your old black and white family photos are just wonderful,your dad does look kinda proud in the one with the cadillac!
What a wonderful hub, it bought back all kinds of nostelgic memories, Patsy Cline is one of my all time favourite singers and I remember those old juke boxes so well!
A fabulous read, thank you for sharing and voted up.
Thanks for sharing all of these fantastic memories! I have many of these same memories, although growing up in Wisconsin, I had to turn on the radio on Saturday nights as well to listen to scratchy renditions of "Crazy" done live on the Grand Ole Opry from Nashville! :) :) Great memories!! Country music was just part of growing up in the 50's and 60's.. voted up and across the board! :)
Sweet Sista,
You certainly did tug at my heart as I listened to each of these songs just now... so reminiscent and calming.
Whassup with the 5 vs 2 (guy vs gal) song renditions, however? I'm feelin a little Tammy, Loretta and Dolly in my soul as well.
Focus on honey right now. My musical demands are secondary, you know how pushy baby sisters can be!
A whole lotta hugs, Maria
Hi Peg! When you mentioned both Tex and Georgia I thought of Sunnie Day. Glad to see you two are friends. This hub brought back two great memories for me: You mentioned "chores" My dad and I would have the radio on out in the barn milking cows (by hand)(we tried that new-fangled milking machine for awhile then went back to hand) and listening to country music hosted by a local guy, Lem Hawkins.
The other memory I was riding in a Model T or A with my late brother-in-law the day Hank Williams died and they were playing all his songs. I noticed in the video that ol' Hank had a little "movement" too with his singing, nothing like today of course.
And then the Ghost Riders. I do like Marty Robbiins and I listened to his version, but Frankie Lane was the first version I heard, so I guess I like his better.
My other favorites were Earnest Tubb, Eddie Arnold and Merle Haggard. Unfortunately as I grew I rejected country music for Rock, and never went back. But today I'm starting to again like the "old" ones, like this hub. That little blondie in the pics was sure cute! Or in the first pic you must have been the baby. I just looked back. Thanks for the memories, Peg!
Lynda, Thank you for reminding me of what a small world it really is. Though we grew up miles apart, it seems as if our childhoods were filled with similar experiences shared in different locations. I tend to forget that cowboys, songs, horses and pick-up trucks are universal. Thanks for the reminder and for stopping in. Peg
Snakeslane, Thanks for your multiple trips back to listen in and visit these old tunes. Smiles. You can bet that I don't go under the house anymore. Eeeewwww. I could never be a plumber. They get the big bucks for being fearless.
Isn't it fascinating that all around the world we share fondness of the same tunes and artists? I love Elvis more now than I ever did back then and Patsy is also one of my favs. Roy Acuff was well loved by my folks but perhaps not as well known. Thanks for your sweet comment and your visit. I'm glad to see you have some new recipes posted. Peg
Yes leave that to the 'specialists' for sure. Just so you know my hub name is in no way insinuating that I am or that I like snakes. It's actually the name of a street and was a poor choice when I signed up but I was clearly not thinking when I used my poker game avatar! This is what one ends up with for being lazy and forgetful...sigh.
Movie Master, Wow that's quite a nice compliment on the old B&W photos. It was so much fun going through and scanning them in bringing back some fond memories. Loved to play the jukebox with 6 hits for a quarter or 5 cents each! Thrilled to meet you here and thanks for stopping in to comment. Peg
Wow Peg what a fantastic hub you put together here. So many fond memories come to mind for me. All of those great artists were in my life as a boy and teen growing up in Canada. My best friend and to be my future brother in law played guitar and only country.
I listened to him and learned to play and sing myself. He was great and entertained around my city. He never took it professionally but dam was he good. I also saw my first country and western show when Sonny James, Bill Anderson and a few other greats appeared on stage in my home town. They captured my heart for country and I have enjoyed it all my life. My two biggest ICONS however are Johnny Cash and Elvis. I loved listening to all of your videos as well, just sat back with my ear plugs on and closed my eyes. Voted way UP, awesome, useful,interesting and of course beautiful...
Ms. Lane, I started writing under the name Blindsquirrel which I thought was cute at the time. Later I realized that I really didn't think it through and was somewhat relieved when the site shut down and I could start over. You know others have switched their articles over recently if you have the time and energy to do that much work. One day you will be quite famous, you know. Even more so than now!
Thanks for the tip Peg. I will Have to look in to how to do that. Maybe when I figure it out I could write a Hub about it.
ps Blindsquirrel?! hahaha Now I don't feel so bad! :)
Hello KathyH, So nice to see you here. Scratchy renditions were the name of the game back then as well as squeaky ones on our reel to reel tapes. I actually went to the Grand Ole Opry back in the 70s. What a trip that was! Yes, country music was played quite a bit which reminds me of a few other artists I need to add. So much music to enjoy it's hard to narrow it down. Thanks for the lovely comment and for your visit. Peg
Baby sista, Hold your horses! I'm just getting started. I must add some Johnny Cash and Tammy and oh yes, Dolly. Too much for one hub. Looks like another one is needed. It may be a few days till things settle down and I can concentrate on adding some great hits from the women folk. Hugs back to you my sweet. Peg
Hey there SubRon James, Your milking the cows story was so cool, that new-fangled equipment be darned. Reminds me of a joke a speaker once told before his presentation:
"What did the cow say to the farmer? Thanks for the warm hand." Oh well, it wasn't funny then either.
Your story about where you were when Hank Williams passed, riding in your Model T (A?) was a great addition.
We had an LP with Eddie Arnold singing gospel songs and Tennessee Ernie Ford. They were both great. I actually liked these songs as a young child, then rejected them as a teenager (brat) and now I like them again.
Aw shucks, thanks for noticin' that I was the baby!
Drop back by when you have time, James. So nice to see you here.
Peg
Vincent hello there and welcome! So glad to meet you under you new name and was interested to hear that the staff helped you transition your work. Canada? I used to watch Sargeant Preston and the Yukon Mounted Police as a kid. Loved that show and also The Roy Rogers Show.
Long, long ago I played guitar for a while when folk songs were popular from Peter, Paul and Mary and the like. Never made it to the big time but it sounds like you were close to some talented folks.
Thanks so much for your visit and mighty nice compliments. So very nice to see you here.
Hey Snakeslane, Ask Vincent Moore aka Saddlerider. A hub would be welcome to many who signed in as "Blindsquirrel" and the such like. LOL
Hello Peg, you talk about these songs like they were a long time ago. How can that be, seems like yesterday. I am late arriving, but now that I am here, I will listen to our collective history. You have shared some nice memories with us. The photos sure bring back the sense of the times.
Back for more listening. I read you are writing a new hub to include Tammy and Dolly, so looking forward to that one.
We have a great country/folk singer in NZ by the name of Raymond Solomon, You would like his songs but unfortunately he is nowhere to be found on Youtube. If I knew how to I might put something up but I have no idea where to start.
Just listening Elvis as I type. wasn't he just the greatest.
Bless you Peg for your kind words.
Good memories! I hate to be the bearer of this news, but the cadillac in the family photo is a 1948 not a 1954!
Very Intresting Hub Sharing and you have selected some of my very favorite songs to enjoy and I want to fully absorb your story as well.
Great hub. I adore country music and your selection here was awesome.
take care
Good list, you went with a bunch of old school songs. I enjoyed listening to them...a few for the first time.
Hello Gloshei, Hope you found the comment above that was in reply to yours. I forgot to mention your name at the top. So forgetful these days. Loved that you stopped in to listen. Hope to see you soon! Peg
You shouldna' feel bad friend but I'm as reluctant to call you Snakes as folks were to call me Blind. LOL
Mike, Your visits are alway perfectly times so no worries. It is good to know that we share some collective music histories. And it does seem like yesterday to me too. Glad you liked the pics. Brought back some fond memories to scan them in and post them here.
Rosemay you do make me feel so good with your sweet words. Do you have recordings of Raymond Solomon? I recently posted my first YouTube video but I didn't know how to add music. Perhaps a YouTube hub is needed?
Oooooh yes, Elvis was and is the greatest. I loved him more after the fact once I visited Graceland. Always great to see you here.
My friend Gloshei, I'm so glad you keep on writing more new hubs despite the obstacles you face. It seems to get a little easier after you get rolling. A few more and you'll find your written voice. Then there'll be no stopping you. Hugs!
Brother John, I knew you'd notice this faux pas on the Cadillac and I probably should change that in the text, but it makes me sound even older, like my much older brother! Hah ha.
Wow Klipleri, Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to have found some of your favorite songs and thanks for reading and listening. Nice to meet you here. Peg
Hello there Dim, So nice to see you again. Hope all is well on your end. Thanks for coming by to listen to these old favs. You take care too, friend.
Hi JoshuaDR, Like Mckbirdbks said earlier, it is difficult to realize these are so old, since I still remember them so well. Glad you enjoyed the oldies with me. Some of those early recordings were a hoot to watch, especially their expressions while they sang! Nice to see you and thanks for the visit. Peg
Hi peg I keep going back to this hub I think it's great and the comments.
Espcially your joke about 'warm hands'
Oh how I wish I was born in your country! Do you think I am too old to be adopted!!!
I'm a few years older than you, Peg, so I was there for all of this, and I remember it well. We were in South Carolina in the early fifties, and all that was on the radio was country. We got ready for school listening to the farm and market reports and Eddy Arnold!
Great Hub!
Did you do your Youtube publication with Windows Movie Maker?. Thats what I have just used this morning and added music.
Wow -- does this bring back memories. I had a band and used to "pick and grin" during this time period -- losing Patsy Cline was a huge, personal loss for me -- still think she had the finest voice ever in country music. Thanks for this super Hub -- provided me a walk back down that memory lane. Proud to be your new follower! Bet, Sis
Fantastic hub, and I love all those old country songs...I look forward to reading more of your hubs!!
Hey there Glo, You are so cute! Of course you can be adopted and come to live with your new family here. Isn't it funny that I have always dreamed of visiting Europe and especially France but have never done so. Come back and visit when you can. Peg
Will, I'm wondering if we didn't go to school together at some point in our lives. We were in SC in the late fifties and we had both kinds of music: country and western. Hahaha. I loved Eddy Arnold too! Thanks for your nice words and the visit. You are always welcome to drop by. Peg
Rosemay, I haven't tried Windows Movie Maker but it sounds interesting. I just uploaded directly from my video file to YouTube but couldn't figure out how to add music. Will give this a shot.
Hi Angela, So nice to meet you here and thanks for your nice comments. Sorry about your friend Patsy Cline and I agree with you about her voice. It is distinct and moving. Hope you will post some of your singing here for us to share. Will be checking out your site as well. Come back for a visit anytime. Love your hat(s). Your new friend, Peg
Thanks Leni. I appreciate your comment and hope to get over your way soon.
Hi again Peg. Movie maker is free to download from Microsoft. It is so easy, you just drag your video and music into there and it does it all for you. Once you have saved it just upload the whole thing to youtube.
Rosemay, hey there. I'll give it a go soon as things settle down on this end. Sounds quite doable.
I love music and country song as well. I really enjoy all videos here. Thanks for posting this fascinating hub. Rated up and have a nice day!
Blessing and hugs,
Thanks, Pras, and I'm glad you enjoyed these old songs. Nice of you to visit and give a listen. I'm always glad to see your face.
Blessings and hugs back in your direction,
Peg
Hello Pegcole17, Just wanted to let you know that a couple of years ago, my husband gave me a musical mother's day card. The song that played was "What A Difference You've Made In My Life" by Ronnie Milsap. I must say that those few words really touched my heart. I still have that card; every time I hear that song, I get sentimental!!!!!!!
Hi Nina64, Isn't it amazing that some of the smallest things like the words to a song can make such a difference in our lives. I do love Ronnie Milsap too. Thank you for adding that comment and for your visit today. Peg
Peg, such a great list of great songs. You can't go wrong with Elvis and Patsy Cline. Voted up, useful, and awesome. Great hub. Have a great weekend.
Hello theLyricWriter. Thanks for the votes and for dropping by. Hope you have a great weekend too.
Hi Peg, sorry it's been awhile since I stopped by...But I'm so Glad I had time today to do so. What a Treat for the Eyes and Mind to read you Wonderful Hub and Enjoy all the Videos. They were all Great, I aways loved to listen to Patsy Cline...So many of these wonderful Entertainers died before their time...But their Music will always live on! Thank You, thank You, thank YOU. My Vote UP say's THANK YOU!
Hey b! It is always a pleasure to have you visit. Glad you liked the tunes. Quite a few of the artists did pass before their time. But you're right about the music living on! Come on back anytime you have a moment.
I heard you where playing the best music on hubpages. Thanks for the nice break this morning.
Hey there Mck! Thanks for stopping back in for a listen. I'm on my way over to the cafe for some coffee. See you there.
Hello peg its my first time to visit at your hub.It was so great that you made a hub that can definitely tug at our heart by this country old songs music.Thanks for this wonderful hub.
Hi Fester, Thank you for the visit and glad you enjoyed these wonderful old songs. I hope to see you again soon!
Peg
Sunnie Day Level 8 Commenter 4 months ago
Hi Peg,
I am kind of out of breath..I ran over from the Cafe when I heard your new hub was out..Boy does this bring back memories..The 8 track player in the car and reel to reel was forever cranking out most of the tunes in my world..Olivia Newton John was awesome..I will come back and listen to the videos but I have to fix dinner and last time I did both I burned dinner..Ask Dusty I was reading his hub..lol Take care and Thank you..The run here is not so bad...Should have asked how far in the country you lived..HAHAHA
Sunnie