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
That's The Way It's Gotta Be
Faron Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could there be an old old flame that might keep us apart
Well there can be no other love that is if you want me
And that's the way it's gotta be
Arms that love one woman that's how it is with me
You tell me that you're so in love but is it all with me
I remember when you said that you were mine alone
Still I can't convince my heart that you're my very own
And if I find you've been untrue you've seen the last of me
And that's the way it's gotta be
And that's the way it's gotta be
The lyrics to Faron Young's song "That's the Way It's Gotta Be" describe a relationship in which the singer is asking his partner if there are any old flames or memories that could keep them apart. He declares that there can be no other love if she wants him, but he also expresses his doubts about her true loyalty. He remembers when she promised to be his alone, but he still cannot convince his heart that she truly belongs to him. He warns that if he finds out she has been unfaithful, he will leave her for good. The lyrics convey a sense of insecurity and a lack of trust in the relationship, as well as an emphasis on the need for fidelity and commitment.
The song was recorded by Faron Young in 1962 and was written by Bill Anderson, one of the most successful country music songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s. Anderson was known for his sensitive, introspective lyrics and his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships. "That's the Way It's Gotta Be" is one of his most popular songs, and it has been covered by many other country artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Are there any memories you're keeping in your heart
Do you have any past relationships or feelings that could interfere with our love?
Could there be an old old flame that might keep us apart
Is there someone from your past who could prevent us from being together?
Well there can be no other love that is if you want me
If you truly love me, there can be no one else in your heart.
And that's the way it's gotta be
This is the only way our relationship can work.
Arms that love one woman that's how it is with me
I am committed to loving only one woman - you.
You tell me that you're so in love but is it all with me
Do you really love me, or are your feelings not genuine?
I remember when you said that you were mine alone
I recall the promise you made to love and cherish only me.
Still I can't convince my heart that you're my very own
Even though you've made promises, my heart still doubts your loyalty to me.
And if I find you've been untrue you've seen the last of me
If I discover that you have betrayed me, I will leave and never look back.
And that's the way it's gotta be
I refuse to tolerate infidelity or disloyalty in a relationship.
Contributed by Alyssa H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.