White Lightning (George Jones song)
Encyclopedia
"White Lightning" is the title of a song written by the rockabilly artist J. P. Richardson, best known by his stage name, The Big Bopper. The song was recorded by American country music
artist George Jones
and released as a single in February 1959. On April 13, 1959, Jones' version became the first Number One single of his career. The song has since been covered by numerous artists.
and it took him approximately 80 takes just to record his vocals to the record producer's satisfaction. To make matters worse, Buddy Killen
, who played the upright bass
on the recording, was reported as having severely blistered fingers from having to play his bass part 80 times. Killen not only threatened to quit the session, but also threatened to physically harm Jones for the painful consequences of Jones' drinking.
along with fellow rockabilly artists Buddy Holly
and Ritchie Valens
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
and released as a single in February 1959. On April 13, 1959, Jones' version became the first Number One single of his career. The song has since been covered by numerous artists.
Recording
In his 1997 autobiography, I Lived To Tell It All, Jones mentions the fact that the recording process of "White Lightning" was rather extremely lengthy and further elaborates on why it lasted so long. Jones arrived for the recording session under the influence of a great deal of alcoholAlcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and it took him approximately 80 takes just to record his vocals to the record producer's satisfaction. To make matters worse, Buddy Killen
Buddy Killen
William Doyce “Buddy” Killen was a record producer and music publisher, and a former owner of Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the largest country music publishing business, before he sold it in 1989...
, who played the upright bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
on the recording, was reported as having severely blistered fingers from having to play his bass part 80 times. Killen not only threatened to quit the session, but also threatened to physically harm Jones for the painful consequences of Jones' drinking.
Success
Jones' version of "White Lightning" was then released as a single, and reached Number One in April 1959, two months after the songwriter, rockabilly artist J. P. Richardson, was killed in the infamous plane crashThe Day the Music Died
On February 3, 1959, a small-plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, killed three American rock and roll pioneers: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson. The day was later called The Day the Music Died by Don McLean, in his song...
along with fellow rockabilly artists Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
and Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist....
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1959) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot C&W Sides | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 73 |