Thompson's musical style, characterized as Honky Tonk Swing, is a mixture of big-band instrumentation, fiddle and steel guitar that supports his distinctive, gravelly baritone vocals on songs he often writes himself. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the No.1 Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard Magazine.
He decided to pursue his musical talent after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a radioman and studying electrical engineering at the university level. His first single was "Whoa Sailor" in 1946. The year 1952 brought his first #1 disc, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels" (which inspired the Kitty Wells response, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"). Other hits followed in quick succession in the 1950s and 1960s. Although not as prominent in later decades, he has remained an active and respected performer in the field, finding new audiences as a result of the resurgence of a harder-edged sound in country music.
Hank Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He was born 3 September 1925 in Waco, Texas, and passed away at home in Keller, Texas, on 6 November 2007, just four days after cancelling his final tour.
The Wild Side of Life
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You asked me not to call you on the phone
But there's something I'm wanting to tell you
So I wrote it in the words of this song
I didn't know God made Honky Tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one that ever loved you
The glamor of the gay nightlife has lured you
To the places where the wine and liquor flow
Where you wait to be anybody's baby
And forget the truest love you'll ever know know
I didn't know God made Honky Tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one that ever loved you
And went back to the wild side of life
In Hank Thompson's song "The Wild Side of Life," the singer is speaking to a woman who has left him, even though he loved her deeply. She wouldn't read his letter or take his calls, so he uses the medium of song to convey his message to her. He expresses his surprise at the fact that she left him for the "wild side of life," a world of honky tonks and wild parties. He suggests that this lifestyle has led her astray and caused her to forget the love that they shared.
The singer muses on the power of the glittering nightlife to draw people in, making them forget their obligations and responsibilities. He acknowledges that he did not realize that "God made honky tonk angels," and that he may have been naive to expect this woman to be a faithful and devoted wife. Nonetheless, he remains hurt and confused by her choice to leave him, and expresses his sadness in the mournful melody of the song.
Despite its melancholy theme, "The Wild Side of Life" became a massive hit for Hank Thompson and has since been covered by dozens of different artists. Its powerful message about the pull of temptation and the pain of lost love resonated with listeners, and the song remains a classic of country music to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
You wouldn't read my letter if I wrote you
I understand that you have asked me not to communicate with you, but there is something that I want to express.
You asked me not to call you on the phone
You have requested that I not contact you through conventional means of communication.
But there's something I'm wanting to tell you
Despite your wishes, I feel compelled to share something with you.
So I wrote it in the words of this song
The only way that I can express my message to you is through the lyrics of this particular composition.
I didn't know God made honky tonk angels
I was unaware that women who frequent wild, late-night gatherings even existed.
I might have known you'd never make a wife
It isn't surprising that you were not a good candidate for marriage, given your reputation for enjoying such a wild lifestyle.
You gave up the only one that ever loved you
Regrettably, you parted ways with the one person who truly cared for you.
And went back to the wild side of life
You returned to the same type of life that alienated you from those who loved you in the first place.
The glamor of the gay night life has lured you
The excitement and allure of the vibrant nightlife scene has tempted you to participate in it to a greater extent.
To the places where the wine and liquor flows
You gravitate towards establishments where alcoholic beverages are readily available and frequently consumed.
Where you wait to be anybody's baby
In these environments, you are willing to engage in relationships with anyone who will have you.
And forget the truest love you'll ever know
By indulging in these frivolous romantic trysts, you are neglecting the genuine love that you once had in your life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: William Warren, Arlie Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@timothymcculloch1796
You wouldn't read my letter if I wrote you
You asked me not to call you on the phone
But there's something I'm wanting to tell you
So I wrote it in the words of this song
I didn't know God made Honky Tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one that ever loved you
And went back to the wild side of life
The glamor of the gay nightlife has lured you
To the places where the wine and liquor flow
Where you wait to be anybody's baby
And forget the truest love you'll ever know know
I didn't know God made Honky Tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one that ever loved you
And went back to the wild side of life
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox playin'
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are sayin'
It brings memories when I was a trustful wife
It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men
Think they're still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It's a shame that all the blame is on us women
It's not true that only you men feel the same
From the start
Most every heart that's ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men
Think they're still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
@riangunter6727
That is my late fathers favourite song. Oh how I mis him . He was the best best dad ever.
@southernbelle187
Until I was about 16 years old, I thought my daddy made this song up himself. He played it on his guitar almost daily & on my Granny’s old pedal organ every time we had a family gathering. All 6 of us kids sat around his feet singing along to every word.
My daddy passed away 2 nights ago. I’ve been playing this on repeat just longing for those old times singing along with my siblings. Pulled out my old Martin & looked up the chords tonight. Hoping to play it for my siblings & our kids now. Such bittersweet memories.
@johnmacdougall5296
It's such a lovely song.
@berryj.greene7090
You can do this and I hope you have done so.
@mikegeorge5354
That’s sad
@southernbelle187
A year later, I’m still listening to this tune when I’m missing my daddy. 🥰
@CarlosMendoza-rw9hd
Sorry for your loss. What's crazy is this song is one of the most famous Mexican songs to come out of my state. Look up mi casa nueva by Lalo mora or los invasores de nuevo leon. I love how music transcends cultures
@garrysimmons2562
At eighty six years of age I realise that the wild side is long gone. However I can still sing these great old songs.
@colcolt45dave6
I would have loved to see the look on Hank Thompson's face when he first heard Kitty's song. She definitely had true grit!
@rose-mariechauret7358
Very true