Born Donald Eugene Lytle in Greenfield, Ohio, he began playing guitar by age 6 and made his first record at age 15. After a time served in the United States Navy (which included a court-martial for assault), he began performing under the name Donny Young. The singer took a job with country music star George Jones, for whom he played bass and steel guitar for several years, co-writing Jones' hit song, "Once You've Had the Best." By the 1960s, he had changed his name to Johnny Paycheck, a name similar to Johnny Cash, which has sometimes caused confusion.
A member of the Grand Ole Opry, PayCheck is best remembered for his 1977 cover of, "Take This Job and Shove It" (written by David Allan Coe) which sold over 2 million copies and inspired a motion picture of the same name. Colorado Kool-Aid is another of his most famous songs. In his career, PayCheck recorded eleven songs that made it into country music's top ten chart plus he co-wrote several successful songs for other country singers including "Apartment #9," a hit for Tammy Wynette.
His life was often filled with turmoil and in 1985, PayCheck was convicted of shooting a man in Hillsboro, Ohio and spent two years in prison. His tax problems with the IRS led to his filing for bankruptcy in 1990. Later in the 1990s, he began capitalizing the fourth letter of his name in a style later dubbed CamelCase, preferring to be known as Johnny PayCheck.
PayCheck suffered from drug and alcohol addiction during his career, although he was said to have "put his life in order" [1] after his prison stay. Suffering from emphysema and asthma, after a lengthy illness, Johnny PayCheck died at Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
He was interred in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.
He is survived by his wife Sharon PayCheck and son Jonathan PayCheck.
A-11
Johnny Paycheck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't intend to spend too much time in here
But I saw you heading for the jukebox
And if you play A-11, there'll be tears
I don't know you from Adam
But if you're gonna play the jukebox
Please don't play A-11
And when she was here, it was heaven
It was here; she told me that she loved me
And she always played A-11
I don't know you from Adam
But if you're gonna play the jukebox
Please don't play A-11
Please don't play A-11
The opening lines of Johnny Paycheck's A-11 set the scene for a poignant, somewhat bittersweet story of a man who has come to a bar out of habit, hoping to avoid heartache. He tries to dissuade a stranger from playing the song A-11 on the jukebox, as it dredges up painful memories of a lost love. The lyrics suggest that this was a place where he and his former flame used to frequent, and that she would always play this song - a fact that he remembers with fondness and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came in here from force of habit
I'm in this bar out of routine.
I don't intend to spend too much time in here
I don't plan on staying long.
But I saw you heading for the jukebox
I noticed you're going to play music.
And if you play A-11, there'll be tears
If you choose that song, it will make me emotional.
I don't know you from Adam
I have no idea who you are.
But if you're gonna play the jukebox
If you're going to make a selection on the machine,
Please don't play A-11
Please do not choose that specific song.
Oh, this used to be our favorite nightspot
This place used to be special to the person I used to be with.
And when she was here, it was heaven
When my significant other was with me in this spot, it was amazing.
It was here; she told me that she loved me
This exact spot is where she expressed her love for me.
And she always played A-11
She always chose that song when we were here together.
Please don't play A-11
I don't want to be reminded of my lost love and that song triggers strong emotions.
I don't know you from Adam
Once again, I have no connection to you and don't expect you to understand my pain.
But if you're gonna play the jukebox
In case you decide to pick a song,
Please don't play A-11
I'm asking you once more to avoid that song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HANK COCHRAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janettamcgee8124
There was a new guy that joined my group of dancing buddies and he was crowing about how much he knew about old country music. I began to banter back that I was better. He challenged me to prove it by taking me to his truck and playing only the first 2 notes of a song. My reply, "A-11, Johnny Paycheck, original version." He whooped loudly and when we re-joined our group he bowed to me and proclaimed me the winner and Queen and proposed to me (in jest). I hadn't told him that I was raised by a honky-tonk fiddle player. Or, that this is my all-time favorite dance song. Thank you Mr. Paycheck for such an iconic song.
@mosrite60
Johnny surely owes this song. Many stars have recorded as Buck, and many others. But this version is superior.
@johnpatterson4816
Now that's classic country!!
@frankdodgee
A true talent and true voice. Underrated
@ThomasClark-xt3xy
Legend. R.I.P. When Country Was Country. ❤
@doubled1598
Man, how much I miss this music! I hate that's it dying. I guess that's one of the problems of growing older. You outlive your time and one is the music you grow up with. I go and take my kids and grandkids to Nashville as often as I can, so they can hear and appreciate my music I love! Thank goodness for utube! I can relive my 50s and 60s country music.
@rickmiller8720
Double D love this stuff
@DanEBoyd
All music is dying - if you listen to commercial radio...
@MrFiddlepatch
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@dixielang8451
It’s not dying. It’s just not in the mainstream. Check out my music dixielang.bandcamp.com
I love old, classic country. I hate new country. Also check out The Country Side of Harmonica Sam. They’re amazing. And Robert Henry Band. And Daniel Meade and the Flying Mules. And Old Crow Medicine Show. There are so many great artists out there making real country music but you’ll never hear us on the radio. Also, if you like to listen to old country music, listen to my radio show. You can find it at facebook.com/dixiesdiscs