About the song
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” penned by J. D. “Jay” Miller and famously recorded by Kitty Wells in 1952, stands as a seminal country music classic that broke new ground and sparked significant cultural dialogue. Originally conceived as a response to Hank Thompson’s “The Wild Side of Life,” the song provided a bold rebuttal to the notion that women were solely responsible for the pitfalls of honky tonk life.
The lyrics of “It Wasn’t God…” confront the double standard of the time, asserting that it was men’s infidelity and reckless behavior that led women astray into the honky tonk lifestyle. Wells’ defiant delivery and Miller’s candid lyrics resonated deeply with audiences, propelling the song to unprecedented success. It became the first number one Billboard country hit for a solo female artist, catapulting Kitty Wells to stardom and establishing her as a trailblazer for women in country music.
Beyond its commercial success, “It Wasn’t God…” had a profound impact on the genre, paving the way for other female artists such as Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette, who also challenged traditional gender roles and addressed themes of infidelity and independence in their music. The song’s influence extended internationally, influencing artists like Jean Stafford in Australia.
In recognition of its cultural significance, the original 1952 recording by Kitty Wells on the Decca label was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Additionally, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2007, cementing its status as a pivotal recording in American music history.
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” continues to resonate as a powerful anthem of empowerment and defiance, celebrated for its bold lyrics and the groundbreaking impact of Kitty Wells’ interpretation. Its legacy endures as a testament to the enduring influence of women in country music and their ability to challenge societal norms through song, making it an essential piece of the country music canon.
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Lyrics
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playing
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are saying
It brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women
It’s not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that’s ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong