This is by far my favorite song of all time!!!!!!! :^)

Was born in 1970, my great aunt sang this to me happily but damn.

When I was young and heard this I thought, "what a sweet song." 48 years later, having lived this, it hits much harder.

A beautiful tune, haunting lyrics, excellent instrumentation, a bittersweet story, and the amazing voice of Cal Smith. I'm not sure this song could have been any better. When you mentioned the "obnoxious city girl with diamonds" it reminded me of the Bill Anderson song, "Peanuts and Diamonds." I would love to hear you react to that.

This song won Song of the Year award, in the early 70s. During Garth Brooks' rise in the early 90s, he mentioned in an interview that Cal Smith was one of his idols, and Country Bumpkin was his favorite song. Forward to just passed the beginning of the century, and Cal Smith was going to be a guest on a Nashville talk show. Cal asked the producers if they could get Garth to show up during the taping. Sure enough he did. Cal gave Garth the trophy that he received for Song of the Year for this song. Garth was so shocked that he couldn't talk.

This is my husband and my song! I love this!

Another fantastic reaction! What a true storytelling song. I’m 54 and in 3 minutes the song sums up life at its best- love, life, even death. Eyes get misty every time I hear it. Great job.

Wow! Straight from my childhood. I remember this so well from back then. Thanks. Makes me miss my dad. He passed 3 years ago... Also a Don who loved music.

One of my favorite songs ever!!!!! I believe It won song of the year. One of the first country songs that got me hooked on country ever since. (1974)

❤❤❤❤❤

Hi Don, Cal Smith was my mom's favorite singer and frequently played around the house when I was young. This one was the one she loved the best. I really love it also, however, my favorite Cal song is "The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'". Anyway thanks Don and first last and everyone have a great weekend.----UTCM

@jcreateturner

2 жыл бұрын

You took the words right out of my mouth! Not sure who wrote this one but I know Bill Anderson wrote The Lord Knows I'm Drinking.

@Mercenaries3

2 жыл бұрын

Good call Mike you beat me to it, that’s a good song The Lord Knows I’m Drinking.

this is one of the first country songs I remember hearing on an old AM radio station in town. Everytime I hear it it takes me back to that place and is still one of my 4 or 5 favorite county songs of all time.

This one always gets to me. Thanks for this, Don. So happy that I found your channel and subscribed.

@RockN2Country

Жыл бұрын

@SunCityLady Welcome aboard the channel-I’m glad you found us, too!

I've been listening to this song for years. Watching this reaction to it, I sat and cried. I do love his voice. It's Time To Pay The Fiddler is a good one.

Don only real country music can tell the full story of a life lived and the joy as well as the pain. Thank you so much for bringing this music back to folks who have not experienced or appreciated it. This is why we love your channel!

@RockN2Country

2 жыл бұрын

@Clifford Barnes You're welcome, and thank you for such kind words and encouragement. I'm glad you're enjoying these songs as you are, as I can relate to the feeling one gets from listening to a song for our youth. There is nothing like the memories and sense of time we get from a song from back then.

@mikesavage2114

2 жыл бұрын

Whenever I hear it I think of Mama hanging sheets out to dry and this song playing on the old console radio/record player/8-track. 1974.

I've heard Garth Brooks say that this is his favorite country song.

@mikesavage2114

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad Garth and I can agree on something lol.

Heard this one often growing up to me it imbodies the country music of the time . Was just thinking now we call it old time country music of the 60s and 70s . I was just thinking as I was typing lol growing up old time country music was like little Jimmie Dickens , Hank snow many others anyway country music that was 40s and 50s growing up that was my Dads favorite lol

Oldie but goodie Don I'm a little behind but catching up now 🤠

I'm glad you enjoyed the song. Thanks for the amazing reaction.

This is probably my favorite country song. I'm intrigued by your perspective on the last verse and chorus. I had always thought it was flippant but you're right. It is telling of the beauty of a woman.

@RockN2Country

2 жыл бұрын

@Mike Savage Isn’t it something how songs we’ve listened to our whole life have been saying something different than what we’d always thought? I still don’t know what half of the Led Zeppelin songs are talking about, but I remember the moment I discovered that one of their songs wasn’t talking about the love of a woman, but was talking about the love of his car. LOL!!

@mikesavage2114

2 жыл бұрын

@@RockN2Country I grew up on 70's and 80's pop. Back then we were kids and didn't care. Now I listen to what some of them are actually saying and wonder how they got away with it lol!

I heard that song many many times. something to me that makes this song so great is how the music is done. when Cal is singing. the instrument is very low. You hear the words and the beautiful voice of the singer

Thank you for the reactions. Great song. Agree, you need to listen to Cal Smith's "the Lord Knows I'm Drinking'.

He walked in and parked his lanky frame upon a tall barstool. Thats all i needed to hear. Heard it yrs ago and have liked it since. Its both a happy and sad song… to me?! Great voice. Great story telling country.. again! Kinda makes you pause and think for a min or two about life. .. and the end of it. Just cant beat country talent… dan.4/07/22

Morning Don another song I know by heart , call me when you can. keep the haymaker behind you. HAKADD

Chekc out Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Opening Act on the CMA. Was kind of controversial at the time and a “who is about” song

This is a counter point to his song- Jason's Farm. I think you did that one. Very hard and dark. This one while ending in a death tells a wonderful story of love and warmth. Great old song.

When he was here in Tucson back in the late '70's I think, my mom had her picture taken with him. The Skinner Brothers Band backed him up.

Another great song I haven't heard in a long time. Great reaction - thanks Don!

I cannot afford to contribute but I find your analysis more accurate and insightful than many others. There are two songs that I would love to see you review: "Six weeks every Summer and Christmas Every Other Year" by Dotty West, or several others and "Is that all there is" either by Bette Midler or Peggy Lee. The latter is not country but still amazing.

I definitely recognize this voice from my Dad's collection of Sunday morning music. I'll have to see what other songs he's done! Thanks for the flashback, Don!

@randall-king

2 жыл бұрын

"The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" was one of his big hits.

@JackleenaO

2 жыл бұрын

@@randall-king oh da da da dear dear (as Piglet would say 😆) I just listened. Definitely my Dad's style of music, but as the father of 10 kids, married to a devout Catholic, playing in his band on weekends, I don't think he'd dare be playing this song at home but probably did perform it in the clubs! Lol

i've always loved those type of story telling songs where each verse advances the story through their life like that. i think you'd also like his song "Jason"s farm" and not just because of the tie to me LOL

There are two more really good Cal Smith songs that I know. A funny song “Lord knows I’m Drinkin’” and just a song with some interesting lyrics, “I Just Came to Count the Memories.”

Such a good song, Robert Frost would be proud...the frost is on the punkin and the fodders in the shock.

Hi, recommended you checking out The Birmingham Turnaround by Keith Whitley

Check out Cal's "Jason's Farm."

From now on you must round up. You hurt my brain with fractions.....

@RockN2Country

2 жыл бұрын

@DaveG LOL!! I was not expecting that. Ha!

Hey Don can you check ur speed seems to be dragging on my end but still sounds good 😲🤔

Hi Don. Can I recommend Cody Johnson - Dear Rodeo live from from Rodeo Houston Rodeo

Maybe I shouldn't have listened to this song. It's not that I don't like it, in fact I sought it out. However, I lost my Dad in December 2021, so hearing a song about a person passing away, is still a little hard.

Don't play that one...it always makes me cry.

You have to listen to The Mavericks. A live song so you can see his whole group play. The lead singer Raul has a beautiful voice. They have their own fan base. they are underrated. they have been around for quite a few years. I know you will like them. If you do another Asleep at the Wheels song do "Get Your Kicks on Rt. 66 live , this whole band gets to show off. They are western wsing.

@mikebarnett9012

2 жыл бұрын

There is a live version of them doing "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" with a big band (Including horns) that is really smoking and you're right Raul does have a great voice. He can take any song and make it his!