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
Rebel Johnny Yuma
Faron Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This Johnny Yuma the rebel he wandered alone
He got fightin' mad this rebel lad
He packed no star as he wandered far
Where the only law was a hook and a draw
The rebel Johnny Yuma
Johnny Yuma was the rebel he roamed through the west
He searched the land this restless lad
He was panther quick and leather tough
With the figure that he's been pushed enough
The rebel Johnny Yuma
Johnny Yuma was the rebel he roamed through the west
This Johnny Yuma the rebel he wandered alone
He got fightin' mad this rebel lad
With the dreams he's hold till his dyin' breath
He searched his soul and gambled with death
The rebel Johnny Yuma (Johnny Yuma)
The lyrics to Faron Young's song "Rebel Johnny Yuma" depict the story of a lone rebel figure, Johnny Yuma, who wanders through the American West. The song's narrator describes Johnny as a rugged and tough figure, who is quick like a panther and leather-tough. He is a restless individual who wanders the land searching for something more; he is a dreamer who is willing to gamble with death. Johnny Yuma is a man who doesn't pack a star (a gun), and therefore he must rely on his wits and quick reflexes to survive in a land where the only law is "a hook and a draw."
The song captures the classic mythos of the lone cowboy figure roaming through frontier territories, seeking adventure, freedom, and a sense of purpose. It is a song that celebrates the individualistic spirit of the American West and the rugged men and women who were willing to live and die by their own code. The lyrics paint a picture of Johnny Yuma as a strong and enigmatic figure who is willing to fight for what he believes in and stand up against any injustice that he encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny Yuma was the rebel he roamed through the west
This song is about a man named Johnny Yuma who was a rebel and wandered through the western United States.
This Johnny Yuma the rebel he wandered alone
Johnny was a lone wanderer who lived life by his own rules.
He got fightin' mad this rebel lad
Johnny was easily angered and would fiercely defend himself when provoked.
He packed no star as he wandered far
Johnny didn't carry a gun or badge, and relied solely on his own wits and strength to survive.
Where the only law was a hook and a draw
The places where Johnny wandered had no formal law enforcement, only the rule of the gun.
He searched the land this restless lad
Johnny had a restless nature and was always exploring new territory.
He was panther quick and leather tough
Johnny was fast and agile like a panther, and his tough exterior was like that of leather.
With the figure that he's been pushed enough
Johnny had been pushed to his limit and was ready to fight back against anyone who crossed him.
With the dreams he's hold till his dyin' breath
Johnny held onto his dreams until the very end of his life.
He searched his soul and gambled with death
Johnny was not afraid to challenge death and took risks without hesitation.
The rebel Johnny Yuma (Johnny Yuma)
Johnny Yuma was a true rebel who lived life on his own terms.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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