Listening Blog: Hank Thompson and Kitty Wells

Hank Thompson released "The Wild Side of Life" in 1952. It is a western style song. It is sung in a very western town with the classic sounding music. It reminds me of the 90's country. Hank sings about how he "didn't know God made honky tonk angels." A honky tonk angel is a very attractive women that guys fall for very easily but the girls don't like commitment. So Hank explains that he should have known that this girl was a honky tonk angel and that she wouldn't make a good wife so she "goes back to the wild side." I like this song and the sound of it.

Now when Kitty Wells, who was one of the first successful women country/western singers heard Hank's song she wrote "It wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in response. This song also had the western music feel and sounds very close to "The Wild Side of Life." Kitty explains in the song that it wasn't God that made honky tonk angles, consequently the name of the song, but that it was men. She basically says that if men were more loyal women wouldn't have to turn into the heartless women that honky tonk angles are. 

Lets just say there is some real tea right here if you know what I mean. I really enjoyed both songs and did in fact vibe with them both. It is very similar to the country that was in the 80's and 90's. I really like the songs and that Kitty was such a bad'a in putting out her song. It was a good debate and kind of fun to see that happening back in the day lol. Strongly suggest you listen to them. 

The Wild Side of Life by Hank Thompson

It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angles by Kitty Wells