His first band, The Blue Ridge Boys, performed on radio station KWPM from a butcher shop in his native West Plains, Missouri where Wagoner cut meat. Wagoner's big break came in 1951, when he was hired as a performer by station KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. This led to a contract with RCA Records. With lagging sales, Wagoner and his trio played schoolhouses for the gate proceeds.
In 1953, his song entitled "Trademark" became a hit for Carl Smith, followed by a few hits of his own on RCA. He was a featured performer on ABC's Ozark Jubilee and moved to Nashville and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957.
Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. His 81 charted records include "Satisfied Mind" (#1, 1955), “Misery Loves Company” (#1, 1962), “I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand” (#7, 1962–1963), “Sorrow on the Rocks” (#5, 1964), “Green, Green Grass of Home” (#4, 1965), “Skid Row Joe” (#3, 1965–1966), “The Cold Hard Facts of Life” (#2, 1967), and “The Carroll County Accident” (#2, 1968–1969). Among his hit duets with Dolly Parton were a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind" (1967), "We'll Get Ahead Someday" (1968), "Just Someone I Used To Know" (1969), "Better Move it on Home" (1971), "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" (#1, 1974) and "Making Plans" (#2, 1980). He also won three Grammy Awards for gospel recordings.
The Porter Wagoner Show ran on syndicated television from 1960 to 1981. There were 686 thirty minute episodes filmed, the first 104 being shot in black and white, the remainder in color. At its peak, it was featured in over 100 markets, with an average viewership of over three million. Reruns of the program currently air on the rural cable network RFD-TV.
Wagoner brought James Brown to the Grand Ole Opry, produced a rhythm & blues album for Joe Simon, and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Honkytonk Man. [1] During the mid 1980s, Wagoner formed an all girl group called The Right Combination which was named after one of Porter and Dolly Parton's hit records. He also hosted "Opry Backstage" during the 1990s on The Nashville Network where he interviewed guests. Though Parton's departure caused some animosity on both sides, the two reconciled in the late 1980s and have appeared together a number of times in the years since; Parton inducted Wagoner into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
Wagoner made a guest appearance on the HBO comedy series Da Ali G Show, being interviewed by the fictional character Borat, in its second season.
On July 14, 2006, Wagoner was hospitalized and underwent surgery for an abdominal aneurysm.
Wagoner was honored on May 19, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry for both his fifty years of membership and his 80th birthday. This was telecast on GAC's Grand Ole Opry Live that day with artists such as Stuart, Parton, and Patty Loveless. Grand Ole Opry Live host Nan Kelley was part of the birthday celebration as well.
On June 05, 2007, Wagoner released his final album called Wagonmaster. The album was produced by Marty Stuart for the Anti-label. This album received the best reviews ever in Porter's career and briefly charted on the country charts.
Wagoner also toured during the summer of 2007 to promote the album. One of these was opening for the rock group The White Stripes at a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Wagoner's publicist Darlene Bieber announced on October 19, 2007 that the singer had been hospitalized and was in very serious condition. WSMV-TV reported that Wagoner was admitted earlier that week for observation from an illness. Bieber gave no further information but said that the country star was asking for prayers from his family and fans.
On October 21, 2007, his publicist confirmed that Wagoner had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
On October 26, 2007, Porter was released into hospice care. He died two days later in Nashville, Tennessee. Wagoner's funeral was held on November 1, 2007 at the Grand Ole Opry House followed by interrment at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.
Up until his illness and death, he appeared regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and toured actively.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Satisfied Mind
Porter Wagoner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"If I had his money, I could do things my way?"
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Once I was wading in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When life has ended, my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones, I'll leave, there's no doubt
But there's one thing for certain, when it comes my time
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
The song "A Satisfied Mind" by Porter Wagoner is a commentary on the nature of human desire and what truly brings happiness in life. The lyrics begin by pointing out the common misconception that having money is the key to living life on your own terms. However, the songwriter notes that being rich does not guarantee happiness or inner peace. In fact, it is rare to find a rich man who is truly content with his life.
The second verse describes how the songwriter experienced a significant setback in his financial fortunes, losing everything he had. However, despite this setback, he expresses that he is "richer by far" because he has discovered contentment within himself. The final verses point out that money cannot buy everything that truly matters in life, such as love, friendship, and a sense of purpose. Our material possessions and financial status do not determine our happiness, and at the end of our lives, it is the satisfaction with how we lived that truly matters.
Overall, the song's message is a reminder that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from within, regardless of one's external circumstances. The lyrics serve as a poignant reminder to the listener to focus on cultivating a sense of internal peace and satisfaction, rather than constantly striving for more wealth or possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you heard someone say
Have you ever heard someone say, 'if I had a lot of money, I'd be so much happier'?
"If I had his money, I could do things my way?"
People often say that they would do things differently if they were wealthy like a certain person.
But little they know that it's so hard to find
Many people don't realize that there are very few rich people who are truly happy.
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Only one out of every ten wealthy people has a contented mind.
Once I was wading in fortune and fame
I once had a lot of money and was very famous.
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
I had everything I could possibly want to start a successful life.
But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
However, all of a sudden, I lost all my money.
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind
But I still feel wealthy because I have a contented mind.
Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Money cannot make you young again when you are old.
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
Money cannot bring you friends when you are lonely or rekindle a love that has faded away.
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Even the richest of people can feel poor at certain moments in life.
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When compared to someone who has a contented mind, wealth seems less important.
When life has ended, my time has run out
When my time on earth is finished and my life has come to an end.
My friends and my loved ones, I'll leave, there's no doubt
At that time, I will leave behind my loved ones, there is no question about it.
But there's one thing for certain, when it comes my time
But one thing that is for sure is that when my time comes to an end.
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I will be content knowing that I enjoyed my life and did not focus solely on wealth.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Red Hays, Jack Rhodes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lyrics
How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way
But little they know
That it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind
Once I was waitin'
In fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for
To get a start in life's game
Then suddenly it happened
I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far
With a satisfied mind
Money can't buy back
Your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely
Or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person
Is a pauper at times
Compared to the man
With a satisfied mind
When my life has ended
And my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones
I'll leave there's…
@matthewgordon9757
I just got back from Nashville today. Went to see a show last night, but also wanted to stop by Porter's grave. I discovered his music maybe four years ago by accident, and I experienced a connection with him and his songs and his voice that I still can't explain. I found his grave marker, and felt compelled to sing this song there. I had already started weeping. It's been a cold, dark couple of days, sun starts going down at five and overcast all weekend. A few seconds after I start singing, the sun shoots out bright and warm on my right shoulder through the clouds for the first time that weekend, sunbeams all around, like a hand on my shoulder. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
@brianfischer149
Thank you for sharing !
@richardskola3570
Thanks to Youtube, I can enjoy truly good music anytime.
@marcusperry9481
I've been living in Nashville for 10 years now. I also discovered Porter's music some years ago and it connected with me in the same way. There is a deep wisdom about Nashville that is very hard to explain, and somehow that wisdom is connected sonically on these old records. Thank you for your comment; it gave me confirmation that I'm not alone in an unexplainable connection to wisdom in this art form.
@robertcrabtree3698
@Marcus Perry you're welcome Marcus I love that song satisfied mind and it's so true
@boyoboyo704
Live it love it.
@starstray4326
“If I had his money I could do things my way” this hits the spot. So tired of people telling me I need their money. I’d like to have kids one day I want them clothed and fed with the smart choices I make to provide for them. I needed this song today. God bless to anyone reading this.
@PLATINUM_KILLER7798
God bless you 🙏
@reikaratnam
There's a huge difference between wants and needs. God blesses everyone but not many appreciate the little/simple things in life.
@windsong1a
My Dad had a various artist country record when I was a child that had this song and about 20 other old classics. THIS is one that stood out in my
memory. Later, as a teen of the 70's, I got into all the pop music that teens get into to and forgot about this kind of music Now, as a 60 year old
I go back and hear this and it just gives me chills. It reconnects me with my childhood, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. I've listened to just about
every other singer on youtube that covered this and for me, none of them live up to Porter's version. I love the close harmonies the others lack.
I'm reminded of a line from an old Mel Tillis song, "When were young we want to get away... when we're old we want to go back." How true.