Introduction:
The year is 1952. Country music, a genre steeped in storytelling and tradition, was undergoing a shift. The sounds of heartbreak and honky-tonk bars were gaining popularity, fueled by songs like Hank Thompson’s chart-topping hit, “The Wild Side of Life” (1952). This song, while catchy, painted a one-sided narrative, placing the blame for marital woes solely on “wild” women frequenting honky-tonks.
Enter Kitty Wells, the “Queen of Country Music,” who would challenge this narrative and redefine the portrayal of women in country music with her groundbreaking response song, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”.
Wells, known for her powerful vocals and strong stage presence, had already established herself as a successful artist. However, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” marked a turning point in her career. The song, written by J.D. Miller, was a bold and sassy rebuttal to Thompson’s song. It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels didn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of relationships, particularly the role of cheating husbands who contribute to a woman’s disillusionment and heartbreak, ultimately leading her to frequent those same honky-tonks.
It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels was a gamble for both Wells and Decca Records, her label. The song’s subject matter, which challenged traditional gender roles and dared to hold men accountable, was considered risqué for the time. However, the gamble paid off. The song resonated deeply with female listeners who identified with the story and its message of female empowerment. It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels shot up the charts, becoming Wells’ first No. 1 hit and establishing her as a major force in country music.
The song’s success shattered industry expectations. It proved that women in country music could be more than just heartbroken damsels. They could be strong, independent, and unafraid to speak their minds. It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels paved the way for a new generation of female country artists who would follow in Wells’ footsteps, forever changing the landscape of country music.
Video:
Lyrics:
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playingThe tune about the wild side of lifeAs I listen to the words you are sayingIt brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angelsAs you said in the words of your songToo many times married men think they’re still singleThat has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us womenIt’s not true that only you men feel the sameFrom the start most every heart that’s ever brokenWas because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angelsAs you said in the words of your songToo many times married men think they’re still singleThat has caused many a good girl to go wrong