Starting off singing at the local Optimist Club, Young was discovered by Webb Pierce, who brought him to star on the Louisiana Hayride radio program on KWKH in 1951.
He was drafted into the Army in late 1952, just after he was signed to Capitol Records. Nicknamed "The Hillbilly Heartthrob" and "The Singing Sheriff," he had many hits including:
"Young Love"
"If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')"
"Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young"
"Sweet Dreams"
"Alone With You"
"Hello Walls" (written by Willie Nelson)
"It's Four in the Morning" (written by Jerry Chesnut).
"Here I Am In Dallas"
"I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night"
Young made several appearances during the late 1950s on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee.
His #1 country hit "It's Four in the Morning" was written at his request as he was recuperating from a serious automobile accident in which he suffered head injuries. His tongue had been partly severed in the accident, and it took him several months before he could regain normal speaking ability. He had particular trouble with the "s" sound in most words, so he asked for a song which largely avoided that sound as his comeback effort.
Faron Young's band, the Country Deputies, was one of country music's top bands, and toured with him for many years.
Young co-founded, with Preston Temple, the Nashville trade newspaper, The Music City News.
Young died at the age of sixty-four of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had been in failing health when he took his own life.
Legacy and influence
A performance video clip of "It's Four In The Morning" was the first video to air on CMT when it first launched on March 5, 1983.
In 1985, the country singer inspired homage from British rock group, Prefab Sprout, whose multimillion-selling album, "Steve McQueen" contains the song "Faron Young." The song has the refrain: You give me Faron Young four in the morning / Forgive me Faron Young four in the morning..."
In 2000, he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In the comic strip Peanuts, Frieda's cat was named "Faron" after Faron Young, of whom Charles Schulz was a fan.
Worked with Webb Pierce on the Louisana Hayride in 1951. First recorded with Tillman Franks & his Rainbow boys in 1951. Went solo in 1952. Appeared in the 1956 movie "Hidden Guns" and got his nickame "The Young Sheriff", and his band name, "Country Deputies" from that movie. Also appeared in the movies, Stampede, Daniel Boone, Raiders Of Old California, and That's Country. Founder and one-time publisher of the Music City News in Nashville. First charted song "Going Steady went to #2 on the Country Charts in 1953. Put 79 songs into the top 40 of the country charts from 1953-1978. Had 5 #1s. Last # 1 was It's Four In the Morning in 1971. During the '90s, Young was stricken with a debilitating emphysema. Depressed by his poor health, he shot himself on December 9, 1996, and passed away the next day Source Joel Whitburn's Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country
If You Ain't Lovin'
Faron Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A bucket full of money and a tree full of honey
But if you got no huggin', no smoochin' or muggin'
Well, if you ain't lovin' then you ain't livin'
If you're ridin' on the gravy train instead of walkin' down Lover's Lane
You can't make hay, boy, you're goin' the wrong way, boy
You gotta get a little honey, it's better than money
If they call you a big man 'cause you got a lot of bottom land
If you're kin to the president and if you help run the government
But if you get no attention, you better off on a pension
Well, if you ain't lovin' then you ain't livin'
If you got a string of long cars and you're smoking them fourbit cigars
You ain't so well to do unless you get a little coochy coo
It takes a little of smackin' or your life is a lackin'
Well, if you ain't lovin', well brother, then you ain't livin'
The lyrics of Faron Young's song "If You Ain't Lovin'" express that no amount of wealth, status or possessions can replace the importance of love and affection. The first verse states that having material possessions such as a Cadillac, a large house, money, and honey can't bring true happiness if there is a lack of physical affection or emotional connection with someone. The second verse concludes that even if someone is successful in their career, they will not find true fulfillment if they don't have anyone to love or who loves them back. The third verse indicates that even having political power or a high social status is not enough if there is no one to acknowledge and appreciate the individual. Finally, the last verse emphasizes the need for physical affection and the importance of intimacy in life.
The lyrics suggest that having love in life is essential for genuine happiness and contentment. Material things can enhance life, but they can't replace the significance of human connection. Even if someone has everything they want, without love, they're not truly living. The song uses humorous and colloquial language, such as the use of "coochy coo" and "four-bit cigars," to emphasize the importance of physical affection and keep the tone light and whimsical.
Line by Line Meaning
If you got a Cadillac, boy, and a forty room shack, boy
Even if you have all the material comforts in the world
A bucket full of money and a tree full of honey
And all the wealth and sweet things in life
But if you got no huggin', no smoochin' or muggin'
If you lack the warmth and affection that comes from love
Well, if you ain't lovin' then you ain't livin'
Then you're not really living a fulfilling life
If you're ridin' on the gravy train instead of walkin' down Lover's Lane
If you're pursuing money and success over love and relationships
You can't make hay, boy, you're goin' the wrong way, boy
You won't be truly happy and successful in life
You gotta get a little honey, it's better than money
Because having love and affection is more satisfying than wealth and possessions
If they call you a big man 'cause you got a lot of bottom land
Even if you're considered successful and powerful due to your possessions
If you're kin to the president and if you help run the government
Or even if you have connections to those in power
But if you get no attention, you better off on a pension
If you're not receiving any affection or attention from others then it's better to retire or withdraw from a public life
Well, if you ain't lovin' then you ain't livin'
Because without love and affection, life is not worth living
If you got a string of long cars and you're smoking them fourbit cigars
Even if you have expensive cars and smoke cigars
You ain't so well to do unless you get a little coochy coo
You're not truly wealthy unless you have love and affection
It takes a little of smackin' or your life is a lackin'
It takes some affectionate physical contact to make life fulfilling
Well, if you ain't lovin', well brother, then you ain't livin'
Without love and affection, life is empty and meaningless
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tommy Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind