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
Live Fast Love Hard Die Young
Faron Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
Don't want slow walkin' or sad singin' let 'em have a jubilee
I want to leave a lot of happy women a thinking pretty thoughts of me
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
I got a hot-rod car and a cowboy suit and I really do get around
I got a little black book and the gals look cute and I know the name of every spot in town
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
I'm a wampus cat let me grab my hat and baby come along with me
We're gonna do some fancy stepping, we're really goin' on a spree
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
Now you may not approve of the things I do but it really don't bother me
But don't ever think you gonna tie me down I'm gonna stay footloose fancy free
So jump back, make tracks, move out, and let the pretty gals at me
I want to live fast, love hard. die young and leave a beautiful memory
"Faron Young's song Live Fast Love Hard Die Young" is a bold declarative proclamation by the singer who is seeking to live an adventurous and fast-paced life. Fueled by a desire to make a mark on the world, the lyrics reveal a person who wants to lead a life filled with excitement, love, and adventure. The singer is determined to avoid a slow and mournful death, and instead wants to die young, leaving behind a beautiful memory.
The lyrics of the song depict the singer's desire for a life filled with women, fast cars, exploring new things, and living without restrictions. The singer is confident, bold and unapologetic about his choices. There is no ambiguity about how he wants to live his life - he wants to live fast, love hard, and leave a beautiful memory behind.
The lyrics of "Live Fast Love Hard Die Young" are a reflection of the post-World War II spirit of youth and exuberance. The song was released in 1955, at a time when America was changing rapidly. It was a time when a new generation of young people was rejecting the cautious, conservative, and traditional approach of their parents, and asserting their own identity. The song captured the mood of this time and became an anthem for the youth of the day.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory
The singer desires to live life intensely, engage in passionate relationships, die young, and create a beautiful remembrance of himself.
Don't want slow walkin' or sad singin' let 'em have a jubilee
He does not want anyone to mourn for him after he's gone, but instead, he wants them to celebrate his life.
I want to leave a lot of happy women a thinking pretty thoughts of me
The singer wants to be remembered fondly by the women he's been with, that they may have good memories of him.
I got a hot-rod car and a cowboy suit and I really do get around
He paints a picture of himself as a young, adventurous man, who loves to drive his fast car and wear cowboy clothes.
I got a little black book and the gals look cute and I know the name of every spot in town
He reveals that he keeps a book of all the women he's been with, and he knows every place in town where he can find fun company.
I want to find 'em, fool 'em, leave 'em, and let 'em do the same to me
The singer desires to have many affairs, trick women into believing he's serious, and then walk away. He wants the women to do the same to him.
I'm a wampus cat let me grab my hat and baby come along with me
He refers to himself as a wild, untamed animal, and invites his lover to come with him on his adventures.
We're gonna do some fancy stepping, we're really goin' on a spree
The singer and his lover are going to have a great time, dancing and going on a wild spree together.
Now you may not approve of the things I do but it really don't bother me
He acknowledges that some people may not agree with his lifestyle, but that doesn't matter to him.
But don't ever think you gonna tie me down I'm gonna stay footloose fancy free
The singer is determined to remain free and not tied down to anyone or anything, continuing to live life on his own terms.
So jump back, make tracks, move out, and let the pretty gals at me
He tells anyone who tries to hold him down to back off and let him enjoy the company of pretty women.
I want to live fast, love hard. die young and leave a beautiful memory
He reiterates his desire to live life in a fast and passionate way, die young, and create a beautiful memory of himself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ABI-os6xp
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
Don't want slow walkin' or sad singin' let 'em have a jubilee
I wanna leave a lot of happy women a thinking pretty thoughts of me
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
I got a hot-rod car and a brand new suit and I really do get around
I got a little black book and the gals look cute
And I know the name of every spot in town
I wanna find 'em fool 'em leave 'em and let 'em do the same to me
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
Well I'm a wampus cat let me grab my hat and baby come along with me
We're gonna do some fancy stepping we're really goin' on a spree
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
Now you may not approve of the things I do but it really don't bother me
But don't ever think you can tie me down I'm gonna stay footloose and fancy free
So jump back make tracks move out and let them pretty gals at me
I wanna live fast love hard die young and leave a beautiful memory
Baby I'm gonna give you one more chance
@jonathanhenry5059
I sang the song at my grandpa's funeral. He died when he was 66. He did leave us with a beautiful memory
@LPJack02
RIP Faron Young (February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996), aged 64
You will be remembered as a legend.
@pennyobriant1444
Faron Young was one of the greats and didn't get the credit! I remember every Sat night my mama would put him on the stereo. Memories memories.💜😢
@barnanimal30
You're 100% correct Penny, what a voice!
@davidshirley712
Real country...Faron did it right every time!
@jeffreyflint6286
Man how I remember singing this way back when to the stereo as dad dug this cat too!❤❤
@carolynjones6457
When you could hear the words to every country song.
@prettyricky9676
65 years later i discovered this song and damn if it doesn't hit home
@stephenfiore9960
…happens to a lot of songs doesn’t it. XM radio helps me discover a lot of songs
@birdwife589
the fiddle and steel sound amazing on this