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
It's a Great Life
Faron Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I don't guess I'll ever make a million I just want enough to get by
Like a checking the town in two or three banks and a yellow Cadillac to drive
To go sportin' around with two or three red-heads or maybe take a blonde along
It's a great life if you don't weaken but who wants to be strong
Just give me my money and cold hard pension give my guitar in tune
No want more than anybody else just takes more for me to get along
It's a great life if you don't weaken but who wants to be strong
It's a simple thing in life that really matter and I'm a pretty simple guy
Just give me a house a swimming pool and a little sport plane to fly
It don't take much to satisfy me I'm a country boy tryin' to get along
It's a great life if you don't weaken but who wants to be strong
The first line of Faron Young's song "It's a Great Life" expresses a positive outlook on life, stating that life is great as long as we don't weaken. This line could be interpreted as meaning that if we maintain our strength and positive attitude, life will be fulfilling and enjoyable. However, Young follows up this sentiment with the question, "but who wants to be strong?" This line challenges the common perception that strength and resilience are necessary qualities for a successful life. Perhaps Young is suggesting that one can still have a great life without being particularly strong or resilient.
The second verse of the song describes Young's modest aspirations in life. He states that he doesn't need to make a million dollars, but just enough to get by. He dreams of having a few bank accounts and a fancy car to drive around in. He also mentions the possibility of going out with two or three red-heads or taking a blonde along. This line, along with some of the other lyrics in the song, suggests that Young is something of a ladies' man who enjoys the company of women.
Overall, "It's a Great Life" is a simple, upbeat song about finding contentment in life's simple pleasures. Young values his music, his relationships with women, and his modest possessions. The song encourages listeners to appreciate what they have and not to be overly concerned with material wealth or other people's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's a great life if you don't weaken but who wants to be strong
Life is enjoyable when you don't give up, but who wants to go through the trouble of being resilient?
Well I don't guess I'll ever make a million I just want enough to get by
I don't expect to become a millionaire, I just want to make ends meet.
Like checking the town in two or three banks and a yellow Cadillac to drive
Having multiple bank accounts and a flashy car to cruise around town in.
To go sportin' around with two or three red-heads or maybe take a blonde along
Going out with two or three attractive redheads or perhaps taking a blonde on a date.
Just give me my money and cold hard pension give my guitar in tune
All I need is my money and pension, and a well-tuned guitar.
And get me a date with a pretty little thing and I'll be markin' afternoon
Arrange a meeting with an attractive woman and I'll be content spending the afternoon with her.
No want more than anybody else just takes more for me to get along
I don't crave more than what anyone else has, but it takes a bit more for me to be satisfied with my life.
It's a simple thing in life that really matter and I'm a pretty simple guy
What truly matters in life is basic, and I'm an uncomplicated person.
Just give me a house a swimming pool and a little sport plane to fly
All I desire is a home, pool, and small plane to fly for entertainment.
It don't take much to satisfy me I'm a country boy tryin' to get along
I'm a simple country boy, it doesn't take much to make me happy.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: AUDREY ALLISON, FARON YOUNG, JOE ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Mag
He is adorable...so animated...so much charisma...handsome...and an incredible voice!
Nancy Brady
This is my new favorite Faron Young song!! Awesome!!!
farmgent
The great June Webb can be seen sitting on a bale of straw next to the brunette Carolina Clogger. The set always looks better with her on it! Gordon Terry is great on fiddle. Farron Young is an awesome entertainer, probably my favorite. He sounds great live as well as recorded. I love his enthusiasm for his music and fans.
farmgent
There's an awesome new book out about Faron's life, called The Faron Young Story Live Fast Love Hard. You can get it on ebay.
farmgent
Dang, Faron and Gordon Terry make it look so easy!
steinsteel
this is country music
Eric Schilling
My daddy used to tell me that it's a great life if you don't weaken.
Cathy Johnson
Really Great music...none like it today. :(
Ken Rowan
Made a movie around 1956 called The Young Sherrif. Therafter, he was called "the Yong sherrif".
INDY OSKARS
@1:00 TRIPLE NON PEDAL-STEEL GUITAR Webb Pierce changed that with his recording of "SLOWLY" in 1954, Country Music entered the age of the pedal-steel guitar.