[edit] Career
At a young age, he was interested in music but his primary interest was athletics. He purchased a guitar at the age of 12 and although he learned to play it, most of his time was devoted to sport. This eventually resulted in being offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho at Moscow.
King later returned to Shreveport and joined the Louisiana Hayride, a popular TV and radio show broadcast in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, produced in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Louisiana Hayride ranked second only to the Grand Ole Opry in terms of television and radio importance in the early 1950s to the 1960s and King was frequently billed on the same shows with other famous legends such as Elvis Presley, John Ritter's father, Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, Jimmie Davis, Slim Whitman, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, George Jones and Lefty Frizzell, among many others who became big music stars in the 1960s.
King recorded a few songs for Gotham Records, although none were successful. In 1961, he became more serious about a musical career and signed with the Nashville, Tennessee division of Columbia Records. He struck immediately, cutting "Big River, Big Man", a country Top 10 and even a small pop crossover success. He soon followed with "The Comancheros" inspired by the movie of the same title, starring John Wayne. It was a Top 10 country hit in late 1961, also crossing over to the pop charts.
King made his "career" recording in the spring of 1962. "Wolverton Mountain", written with Nashville veteran Merle Kilgore, was based on a real character, Clifton Clowers, who lived on Wolverton Mountain in Arkansas. The song became an immediate hit, going to No.1 for nine weeks during its 26-week run on the Billboard Country charts. It was also a pop Top 10.
King followed up that year with an American Civil War song, "The Burning Of Atlanta" which also went Top 10 on the country charts and again generated a lot of interest on the pop lists. In late 1962, he recorded "I've Got The World By The Tail" which narrowly missed the country Top 10.
He had another good year in 1963, scoring three solid country hits with "Sheepskin Valley", "Building a Bridge" and "Hey Lucille!". The hits continued in 1964 with "Sam Hill" and in 1965 he was back in the Top 10 with "Tiger Woman", co-written by Merle Kilgore. King also did well that year with "Little Buddy". His smooth country style continued to find a flavor throughout the decade, especially songs like "Catch a Little Raindrop" and the Top 10 "All For The Love Of A Girl" in 1969. His singles continued to hit the country charts through 1972. He left the label in 1973 after having accomplished 29 hits.
Besides a successful career recording and touring, King also performed as an actor in several movies, and like his nephew, Chris Aable, King is also among a minority of actors who are members in both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He appeared in the 1982 television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and appeared in several feature films. King is no relation to another actor by the same name, born in 1875 in England.
In 1981, Arkansas Governor Frank D. White paid tribute to King and his big 1962 hit by declaring August 7 "Wolverton Mountain Day". By that time, King had almost retired from recording.
After being absent from recording for over 20 years, King recently released a new CD called Cowboy in the White House. Most of the songs were written or co-written by him. Elvis Presley's guitarist, James Burton performed guitar for the release.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_King"
Wolverton Mountain
Claude King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're looking for a wife
'Cause Clifton Clowers has a pretty young daughter
He's mighty handy with a gun and a knife
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there
The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
All of my dreams are on Wolverton Mountain
I want his daughter for my wife
I'll take my chances and climb that mountain
Though Clilfton Clowers, he might take my life
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there
The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
If a stranger should wander there
I'm going up on Wolverton Mountain
It's too lonesome down here below
It's just not right to hide his daughter
From the one who loves her so
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there
The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
If a stranger should wander there
But I don't care about Clifton Clowers
I'm gonna climb up on his mountain
I'm gonna take the girl I love
I don't care about Clifton Clowers
I'm gonna climb up on his mountain
And I'll get the one I love
The song Wolverton Mountain by Claude King tells the story of a man who is in love with Clifton Clowers' daughter, and is willing to take a chance and climb up Wolverton Mountain to try and win her hand in marriage. The song warns others not to go up the mountain if they are looking for a wife, because Clifton Clowers is a dangerous man who is skilled with a gun and knife. The singer is undeterred by this warning, as he believes that Wolverton Mountain will protect him and his love from any danger.
The lyrics of the song evoke a feeling of danger and adventure, as the singer is willing to risk his life to be with the woman he loves. The repeated refrain about Wolverton Mountain protecting Clowers' daughter adds to the mystique of the mountain and creates a sense of foreboding. However, the singer is determined and willing to face the dangers ahead to be with his love.
Line by Line Meaning
They say don't go on Wolverton Mountain
Wolverton Mountain is known to be a dangerous place and you should avoid going there.
If you're looking for a wife
But if you are, you should definitely not go to Wolverton Mountain.
'Cause Clifton Clowers has a pretty young daughter
Because Clifton Clowers, who lives on Wolverton Mountain with his daughter, is very protective of her.
He's mighty handy with a gun and a knife
He is skilled in using weapons to protect his daughter from potential suitors.
Her tender lips are sweeter than honey
The singer is in love with Clifton Clowers' daughter and finds her very attractive.
And Wolverton Mountain protects her there
Wolverton Mountain provides a haven of safety for the daughter, guarded by her father, Clifton Clowers.
The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clowers
Even the animals living on Wolverton Mountain warn Clifton Clowers of strangers approaching.
If a stranger should enter there
If an outsider trespasses in Wolverton Mountain, Clifton Clowers would take action to protect his daughter.
All of my dreams are on Wolverton Mountain
The singer's ultimate dream is to marry Clifton Clowers' daughter and live with her on Wolverton Mountain.
I want his daughter for my wife
The singer desires to marry Clifton Clowers' daughter.
I'll take my chances and climb that mountain
Despite the danger, the singer is determined to climb Wolverton Mountain to reach his love.
Though Clilfton Clowers, he might take my life
The singer is aware of the risk of Clifton Clowers using violence against him if he tries to approach his daughter.
It's too lonesome down here below
The singer acknowledges that he can't be happy without the daughter of Clifton Clowers.
It's just not right to hide his daughter
The singer believes it is unfair for Clifton Clowers to keep his daughter away from him.
From the one who loves her so
The singer is deeply in love with Clifton Clowers' daughter.
But I don't care about Clifton Clowers
The singer is willing to go against Clifton Clowers and climb Wolverton Mountain to reach his love.
And I'll get the one I love
The singer is determined to reach Clifton Clowers' daughter and make her his own.
Lyrics Β© RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Claude King, Merle Kilgore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@milpost1444
Sixty years ago, I was a 10 year old girl from NJ. My dad was driving us out west and we stopped somewhere to eat. I was standing at a jukebox wishing I could hear Wolverton Mountain. At that moment, a young man came over and asked me what song I liked to hear. I said Wolverton Mountain. I still remember how happy I was that he played that for me. I think that young man would be surprised that I still remember that moment.
@bryanlb4987
Isn't it amazing how a simple sweet act like that can affect us so many years later?
@bryonwells1954
I am 68 now. I loved the song as a young boy and I still love this song today
@ddebenedictis
I think it is likely he remembers too.
@grantsmythe8625
Very nice story, part of your life and now part of ours!
@wildwonderfulwva
Great story
@zuzannawisniewska4464
Who's listening in 2023. I still love this song no matter how many years have passed.....from Fort Worth, Texas.
@charleycharley2776
2024
@kennethmorgan6516
My favorite song of 1962.
@zuzannawisniewska4464
It's 2024 and some songs never gets old, no matter how much time passes. I love this classic...from Fort Worth, Texas