Marion Bandy was born and grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, hometown of the country singer Jimmie Rodgers. He later stated: "My grandfather worked on the railroads with Jimmie Rodgers. He was the boss of the railway yard in Meridian and Jimmie Rodgers worked for him. He said that he played his guitar all the time between work."
He was nicknamed Moe by his father when he was a child. The Bandy family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Moe was six. His mother played piano and sang. Bandy was taught to play the guitar by his father who had a country band called the Mission City Playboys, but made little use of the ability until he was in his teens. His father's wish that Moe also play the fiddle never materialized.
He made some appearances with the Mission City Playboys but generally during his high school years he showed little interest in music and a great deal of interest in rodeos. He tried bronco-busting and bull riding and by the time he was 16, both he and his brother Mike were competing in rodeos all over Texas.
In 1962, tired of the bruises and fractured bones, he began to pursue a career in country music. He assembled a band that he called Moe And The Mavericks and found work playing small beer joints, honky-tonks, and clubs over a wide area around San Antonio. When he was young he tried to sound like Hank Williams and George Jones - "I even had my hair cut short like his."
Although work was plentiful, the pay was poor and during the day he worked for his father as a sheet metal worker, a job that lasted for 12 years, during which time he made a few recordings for various small labels. In 1964, he had his first single, "Lonely Girl", on the San Antonio based Satin label, but it made little impression. He did manage to get his band a residency on a local television program called Country Corner and in this capacity, he provided backing for several touring stars.
In 1973, he went solo when record producer Ray Baker, who had listened to his demos, suggested that he come to Nashville, Tennessee. Moe Bandy obtained a loan and recorded a song called "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today". Initially released on Footprint Records with a limited pressing of 500 copies, it soon came to the attention of the Atlanta-based GRC label. In March 1974, it entered the US country chart, eventually peaking at number 17. Other minor hits followed, including "It Was Always So Easy To Find An Unhappy Woman (Till I Started Looking For Mine)" and "Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore".
In 1975, a song written by his friend Lefty Frizzell and Whitey Shaffer gave him a number 7 country hit, firmly establishing his reputation. "Bandy The Rodeo Clown" was to become not only one of his own favorites but also one of his most popular recordings. (Shaffer was greatly amused by the way Bandy pronounced woman as "woh-min", and began to send him songs with the "woh-min" in them.)
Bandy sang in a simple style that extracted the utmost from his songs of lost love, sadness, and life. Although by no means a Hank Williams sound-alike, his method of putting across his honky-tonk songs showed the distinct influence of Williams. He met with immediate success at Columbia Records with Paul Craft's "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" and quickly added further hits, including "Here I Am Drunk Again".
From 1977 through 1979, he was a country chart regular with singles such as "I'm Sorry For You, My Friend" (the song Williams had written for their mutual friend Lefty Frizzell), "Cowboys Ain't Supposed To Cry", "That's What Makes The Jukebox Play", and a duet with Janie Fricke, "It's A Cheating Situation".
In 1979, he achieved his first solo number 1 with "I Cheated Me Right Out of You".
That same year, in 1979, Bandy joined forces with Joe Stampley and recorded a tongue in cheek novelty single: "Just Good Ol' Boys". The song went on to top the country chart and it led to a continuation of their partnership. The duo, commonly known as "Moe and Joe", had more novelty hits between 1979 and 1985, including "Holding The Bag", "Tell Ole I Ain't Here", and "Hey Joe (Hey Moe)". In 1984, they ran into copyright problems with their parody of the then-current Boy George/Culture Club phenomenon: "Where's The Dress" used the guitar-riff introduction from Culture Club's hit "Karma Chameleon".
During the 1980s, Bandy maintained a steady line of solo successes, including "Yesterday Once More", "Rodeo Romeo", "She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)", and "Till I'm Too Old To Die Young".
Bandy also registered duet successes with Judy Bailey ("Following The Feeling") and Becky Hobbs ("Let's Get Over Them Together"). Over the years, he maintained a touring schedule estimated at 250 to 300 days a year and appeared on numerous network television shows. In later years, he cut back considerably on his schedule. He was never a regular Grand Ole Opry member, but has made guest appearances from time to time.
Bandy summed up his music when he said, "I really think my songs are about life. There's cheating, drinking and divorcing going on everywhere and that's what hardcore country music is all about." He added: "If I'd done all the things I sing about, I'd be dead."
Critics reviewing some of his later recordings wrote that it was strange that at a time when more artists were actually recording his type of music, some of his recordings were spoiled by string and/or choir arrangements, and advised that an immediate return to his roots was necessary. Bandy opened his popular Americana Theatre in Branson, Missouri in 1991 and performs frequently there.
Moe, along with his brother, Mike Bandy, a six time NFR bull riding qualifier, were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2007.
Your Cheatin' Heart
Moe Bandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep
But sleep won't come the whole night through
Your cheating heart will tell on you
When tears come down like falling rain
You'll toss around and call my name
You'll walk the floor the way I do
Your cheating heart will pine some day
And crave the love you threw away
The time will come when you'll be blue
Your cheating heart will tell on you
When tears come down like falling rain
You'll toss around and call my name
You'll walk the floor the way I do
Your cheating heart will tell on you
Your cheating heart is gonna tell on you
Moe Bandy's song "Your Cheating Heart" is a heart-wrenching ballad that speaks to the consequences of infidelity. The lyrics begin by warning the cheating party that their actions will only lead to sorrow and regret. The words "your cheating heart will make you weep" paint a vivid picture of the heartache and emotional turmoil that comes with being unfaithful. The following line, "you'll cry and cry and try to sleep, but sleep won't come the whole night through," continues this theme of pain and sleepless nights. The phrase "your cheating heart will tell on you" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that secrets have a way of coming to light, that one's guilt will eventually catch up to them.
The second verse is even more poignant, as the cheater is described as calling out the name of the person they betrayed while tossing and turning in bed. The line "your cheating heart will pine someday" speaks to the idea that the one they cheated on will eventually move on, while the cheater will be left alone regretting their actions. The final repetition of "your cheating heart will tell on you" drives home the central message of the song with added intensity.
"Your Cheating Heart" was composed by country music legend Hank Williams in 1952, and it has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including Patsy Cline, Ray Charles, and Elvis Presley. The song has remained a classic in the country music world and has been featured in numerous films, including the biopic of Hank Williams' life, "I Saw The Light."
Line by Line Meaning
Your cheating heart will make you weep
If you continue to be deceitful, remorse and sadness will consume you.
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep
You will shed endless tears and find it hard to rest.
But sleep won't come the whole night through
You will toss and turn all night, unable to find any peace.
Your cheating heart will tell on you
Your deceitful actions will eventually catch up to you.
When tears come down like falling rain
As the weight of your actions hits you, you will weep uncontrollably.
You'll toss around and call my name
You'll feel a sense of betrayal and longing for the ones you hurt.
You'll walk the floor the way I do
You'll become restless and anxious, unable to escape your feelings.
Your cheating heart will tell on you
Your wrongdoings will come to light, causing you to face the consequences of your actions.
Your cheating heart will pine some day
One day, you will regret the love you lost due to your infidelities.
And crave the love you threw away
You will desperately want the love you carelessly gave up.
The time will come when you'll be blue
Eventually, you will feel sadness and regret for your actions.
Your cheating heart will tell on you
Your behavior will come back to haunt you, exposing your true character and causing you pain.
When tears come down like falling rain
The weight of your actions will bring about an overwhelming sense of sadness.
You'll toss around and call my name
You will feel the weight of the hurt you caused and long for those you betrayed.
You'll walk the floor the way I do
Unable to escape your feelings, you'll become restless like those you wronged.
Your cheating heart will tell on you
Your wrongdoing will be exposed, forcing you to face the consequences of your actions.
Your cheating heart is gonna tell on you
Your lies and deceit will eventually catch up with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1976 {February 15th} Moe Bandy's "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Good Hearted Woman" by Waylon and Willie...
It reached #3 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart...
The remainder of Billboard's Hot Country Singles Top 10 on February 15th, 1976:
At #3. "Remember Me (When The Candlelights Are Gleaming)" by Willie Nelson
#4. "Don't Believe My Heart Can Stand Another You" by Tanya Tucker
#5. "The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard
#6. "The Roots of My Raising" by Merle Haggard
#7. "Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet)" by Tom T. Hall
#8. "Somebody Loves You" by Crystal Gayle
#9. "Standing Room Only" by Barbara Mandrell
#10. "Motels and Memories" by T.G. Shepard
Between 1974 and 1989 Moe Bandy had forty six records on the Hot Country Singles chart, eighteen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1*, "Just Good Ol' Boys" with Joe Stampley for 1 week September of 1979 and "I Cheated Me Right Out of You" for 1 week in December of 1979...
Nine of his forty six charted records were duets with Joe Stampley, plus he had one each with Janie Fricke, Judy Bailey, and Becky Hobbs...
Moe Bandy, born Marion Franklin Bandy, celebrated his 76th birthday three days ago on February 12th, 2020...
* He just missed having two more #1 records when both his "It's A Cheating Situation" with Janie Fricke {1979} and the above "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" peaked at #2 on the Hot Country Singles chart...
kitty cat meow
Moe Bandy is the Best. Always a great Concert. He signs autographs, and meets his fans after his shows.
LovemyLeo1
One of the finest country songs ever written. ♥
Doctor Mountebank
Paul Craft wrote it, no one could sing it but Moe! Or Hank Sr.
BAMA MOONDOG
One of the very best Country Music Singers ever. Moe Bandy never got the true recognition that he rightly deserved. I've seen Moe in Concert several times and he always had a top notch Band, and took time out for his fans after his concert. A true gentleman. He should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Euphonic Studio Recording
Moe Bandy was bringing the Golden Age of country music to a close as country rock was pushing into the scene.
I was playing in a Minneapolis band during this period and was lucky to cover 3 of his songs. They sure don't make 'em like this any more.
D Tittle1964
One of the best country songs ever recorded. It came on the local classic country FM station about and hour or so ago and I
cranked it up to 3/4 volume and sang along through the drive thru at a local fast food place. More than a few people enjoyed and sang along. Good way to end the day.
Prosthetic Johnson
I have all of Moe Bandy's older stuff on cassettes and albums. A great concert and a great guy.
James Hanshaw
This is the greatest song ever by Moe.
david smith
A seriously underrated vocalist. This is as good as it gets
Doctor Mountebank
I went through my late wife's notes. Shannon Burns left her mark on YouTube country music as one who knew real Country Music. Moe has left his mark also. This recording featured The sheriff Jimmy Capps on lead. Twin steel guitars, with Weldon Myrick, and Lloyd Greene. Ray Edenton on guitar, Hargus "Pig" Robbins piano, Kenny Malone on percussion, Johnny Gimble on fiddle, Charlie McCoy band leader and harmonica, the Jordonaires backing vocals. As good as it gets, and it shows. Way to go Moe!