It’s The Saddest Song In The History Of Country Music

Elvis Presley called it the saddest song he'd ever heard.

'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'.

It also ranks up there with the most recorded songs in the history of Country Music.

It was on August 30, 1949 that the legendary Hank Williams recorded 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'.  I'm not sure he knew it at the time, but he had written a song that would live in Country Music for all-time.  He originally intended the words of the song would be spoken, like many of his 'Luke The Drifter' recordings.  Legend has it that the song was largely inspired by Hank's often troubled relationship with his wife Audrey.

So how has the song 'stayed alive' more than 60 years later?

Well it's been covered by more artist's than I can number here.  But to name some of the wide ranging artist's, everyone from Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Dean Martin to Al Green, Dottie West and Roy Orbison.  B. J. Thomas had a Top Ten Pop hit with it in 1966.  And Terry Bradshaw (yes that Terry Bradshaw!) had a Top Twenty Country hit with it in 1976.

And the King Of Rock and Roll said it was the saddest song he'd ever heard...then sang a beautiful version of it.

Some songs seem to last for years.  And then there's the rare, rare song that never dies.  That would be 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'.