“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is a country song written by J. D. “Jay” Miller and recorded by Kitty Wells. It was released in 1952 as the B-side of her single “I’m Losing Your Love.” The song quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and staying there for 11 weeks. It also crossed over to the pop charts, peaking at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is a response to Hank Thompson’s 1952 hit “The Wild Side of Life”. In Thompson’s song, a man sings about his wife who has left him for another man. He blames her for his pain and sings about how she has gone to the “wild side” of life.
In Wells’ song, she responds to Thompson’s song by singing about how it is not women who are to blame for men’s infidelity. She sings about how men are just as capable of being unfaithful as women and how they should not blame their wives for their own mistakes.
The song was a groundbreaking hit for Wells and helped to pave the way for other female country singers to achieve success. It is considered one of the most important country songs of all time and has been covered by numerous artists, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette.
Key details:
- Artist: Kitty Wells
- Year of Release: 1952
- Genre: Country Music
- Songwriter: J. D. “Jay” Miller
- Producer: Paul Cohen
- Album: Honky Tonk Angels
- Chart Performance: #1 on Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, #27 on Billboard Hot 100 chart
Critical reception:
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was praised by critics for its strong message and Wells’ powerful performance. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1953.
Impact and legacy:
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is considered one of the most important country songs of all time. It helped to pave the way for other female country singers to achieve success and it continues to be a popular song today. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette. It has also been featured in several films and television shows, including “Thelma and Louise” and “Desperate Housewives.”
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is a powerful and important song that has had a lasting impact on country music. It is a song that speaks to the strength and resilience of women and it continues to inspire and empower women today.