As a teen, Hall put together a band called the Kentucky Travelers that performed before movies for a travelling theater. During a stint in the Army, Hall performed over the Armed Forces Radio Network and wrote comic songs about Army experiences. His early career included being a radio announcer at WRON, a local radio station in Ronceverte, West Virginia.
Hall's big break came in 1963 when singer Jimmy C. Newman recorded his song "DJ For a Day." In 1964 Hall moved to Nashville, TN, and within months had songs climbing the charts. Nicknamed "The Story Teller", he has written songs for dozens of country stars such as Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, and Alan Jackson.
One of the most popular songs, "Harper Valley PTA", was originally recorded in 1968 by Jeannie C. Riley, sold over six million copies, and won both a Grammy and CMA award. The song later would inspire the motion picture and television program of the same name.
Hall's own recording career took off after that and he had such hits as "A Week in the Country Jail," "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine," "I Love," "Country Is", "The Year Clayton Delaney Died," "The Old Side of Town," and "I Like Beer." He was also noted for his children's songs, the most popular being "Sneaky Snake".
He also hosted the syndicated country music TV show Pop Goes the Country.
His son, Dean Hall, is also a singer and is member of the MuzikMafia.
A hard-rock adaptation of his song I love was featured in a series of successful television commercials for Coors beer.
Hall largely retired from writing new material in 1986 and from performing in 1994; his final public performance, which was also his first in several years, was in 2011.
Discography
Singles Written and Performed By Tom T. Hall
* "I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew" (#30, 1967)
* "Ain't Got The Time" (#68, 1968)
* "The World The Way I Want It" (#66, 1968)
* "Ballad of Forty Dollars" (#4, 1969)
* "Homecoming" (#5, 1969)
* "Strawberry Farms" (#40, 1969)
* "Day Drinkin'" (#23, 1970)
* "Salute to a Switchblade" (#8, 1970)
* "Shoeshine Man" (#8, 1970)
* "A Week in a Country Jail" (#1, 1970)
* "Ode to Half a Pound of Ground Round" (#21, 1971)
* "One Hundred Children" (#14, 1971)
* "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" (#1, 1971) (also reached #42 on the Pop Singles Chart)
* "Me and Jesus" (#8, 1972) (also reached #92 on the Pop Chart)
* "More About John Henry" (#26, 1972)
* "The Monkey That Became President" (#11, 1972)
* "Old Dogs, Children, And Watermelon Wine" (#1, 1973)
* "Ravishing Ruby" (#3, 1973)
* "Spokane Motel Blues" (#16, 1973)
* "Watergate Blues" (#16, 1973)
* "Country Is" (#1, 1974)
* "I Love" (#1, 1974) (also reached #2 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and #12 on the Pop Singles Chart)
* "Sneaky Snake" (#69, 1974) (reached #55 on the Pop Singles Chart the following year)
* "That Song Is Driving Me Crazy" (#2, 1974) (also reached #63 on the Pop Singles Chart)
* "Deal" (#8, 1975)
* "I Care" (#1, 1975)
* "I Like Beer" (#4, 1975)
* "Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet)" (#1, 1976)
* "Fox On The Run" (#9, 1976)
* "Negatory Romance" (#24, 1976)
* "It's All in the Game" (#12, 1977)
* "Your Man Loves You, Honey" (#4, 1977)
* "What Have You Got to Lose" (#9, 1978)
* "Son of Clayton Delaney" (#14, 1979)
* "You Show Me Your Heart (And I'll Show You Mine)" (#11, 1979)
* "Back When Gas Was Thirty Cents a Gallon" (#36, 1980)
* "Jesus On the Radio (Daddy On the Phone)" (#9, 1980)
* "Solder Of Fortune" (#51, 1980)
* "The Old Side of Town" (#9, 1980)
* "Everything From Jesus To Jack Daniels (#42, 1983)
* "P.S. I Love You" (#8, 1984)
* "A Bar with No Beer" (#40, 1985)
* "Down At The Mall" (#65, 1986)
Singles Written By Tom T. Hall But Performed By Other Artists
* "Mad" performed by Dave Dudley (#6, 1964)
* "Artificial Rose" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#8, 1965)
* "Back In Circulation" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#13, 1965)
* "City of the Angels" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#37, 1965)
* "What We're Fighting For" performed by Dave Dudley (#4, 1966)
* "Back Pocket Money" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#10, 1966)
* "California Uptight Band" performed by Flatt & Scruggs (#20, 1967)
* "Dropping Out of Sight" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#32, 1967)
* "Louisiana Saturday Night" performed by Jimmy C. Newman (#24, 1967)
* "Town That Broke My Heart" performed by Bobby Bare (#16, 1968)
* "Anything Leaving Town Today" performed by Dave Dudley (#12, 1968)
* "There Ain't No Easy Run" performed by Dave Dudley (#10, 1968)
* "Harper Valley PTA" performed by Jeannie C. Riley (#1, 1968) (also reached #1 on the Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the Adult Contemporary Chart)
* "Greenwich Village Folk Song Salesman" performed by Jim & Jesse (#49, 1968)
* "(Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn" performed by Bobby Bare (#4, 1969)
* "George (And the Northwoods)" performed by Dave Dudley (#10, 1969)
* "One More Mile" performed by Dave Dudley (#12, 1969)
* "Boo Dan" peroformed by Jimmy C. Newman (#31, 1969)
* "That's How I Got To Memphis" performed by Bobby Bare (#3, 1970)
* "Pool Shark" performed by Dave Dudley (#1, 1970)
* "If I Ever Fall in Love (With a Honky Tonk Girl)" performed by Faron Young (#4, 1970)
* "Second Handed Flowers" performed by George Jones (#5, 1972)
* "You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me)" performed by Johnny Rodriguez (#1, 1973) (also #86 on the Pop Singles Chart)
* "I Can Still Hear the Music in the Restroom" performed by Jerry Lee Lewis (#13, 1975)
* "I'm Not Ready Yet" performed by George Jones (#2, 1980)
* "Dropping Out Of Sight" performed by Bobby Bare (#35, 1981)
* "Little Bitty" performed by Alan Jackson (#1, 1996)
* "That's How I Got To Memphis" performed by Deryl Dodd (#36, 1996)
Ravishing Ruby
Tom T. Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ravishing Ruby, she was a truckstop child
Born in the back of a rig somewhere near L.A.
Ravishing Ruby, you poured a lot of hot coffee in your day
Ravishing Ruby, believe anything you say
Just like her daddy said, said he'd be back someday
She was just fourteen, she grew up wild and free
Ravishing Ruby, she sleeps in a bunk out back
Her days and nights are filled with dreams of a man named Smilin' Jack
That was her daddy's name and that's all she ever knew
Ravishing Ruby ain't got time for guys like me and you
Ravishing Ruby, a beautiful young girl now
Ravishing Ruby, she made a solemn vow
Waitin' on Smilin' Jack, he'll come rollin' by
And she wants to see him, she wants to touch him either way, dead or alive
Ravishing Ruby, she sleeps in a bunk out back
Her days and nights are filled with dreams of a man named Smilin' Jack
That was her daddy's name and that's all she ever knew
Ravishing Ruby ain't got time for guys like me and you
The song "Ravishing Ruby" by Tom T. Hall tells the story of an eponymous character who was born in the back of a truck near L.A. and raised in a truckstop. Ruby's father, a truck driver named Smilin' Jack, left when she was only fourteen and never returned. She grew up waiting for his return, and now sleeps in the back of a truck in hopes of seeing him again. She is a young and beautiful girl who is very loyal to her father and has no interest in guys like the singer.
The song highlights the difficult life of a truckstop child who never had a chance at a normal childhood. Despite her tough beginning, Ruby remains optimistic and believes in her father's eventual return. However, it is unclear whether Smilin' Jack is alive or dead, leaving Ruby in a state of constant worry and longing. The singer, who represents a potential love interest, understands that Ruby's heart belongs to her father and that he has no chance with her.
Overall, "Ravishing Ruby" is a poignant story about family, love, and loss. It shows that even in the most difficult circumstances, there can be hope and unwavering loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
Ravishing Ruby, she'd been around for awhile
Ruby has been alive for a decent amount of time and has lived a varied life.
Ravishing Ruby, she was a truckstop child
Ruby was born and raised in the atmosphere of a truckstop.
Born in the back of a rig somewhere near L.A.
Ruby was brought into this world while her mother was travelling in a lorry somewhere close to Los Angeles.
Ravishing Ruby, you poured a lot of hot coffee in your day
Ruby spent a lot of time serving coffee to truckers at the truckstop.
Ravishing Ruby, believe anything you say
Ruby trusts everything people tell her and is quite gullible.
Just like her daddy said, said he'd be back someday
Ruby's father promised to come back one day and this idea stuck with her.
She was just fourteen, she grew up wild and free
Ruby was only a teenager but was able to live her life how she pleased.
And all the time she'd be waitin' on him, she'd been waiting on you and me
Ruby is waiting for her father but is also waiting for other things in her life to happen.
Ravishing Ruby, she sleeps in a bunk out back
Ruby lives in a small, cramped space at the back of the truckstop.
Her days and nights are filled with dreams of a man named Smilin' Jack
Ruby thinks about her father and dreams of meeting him, even though he left her.
That was her daddy's name and that's all she ever knew
Ruby's father's name was Smilin' Jack and he is the only parent she has ever known.
Ravishing Ruby ain't got time for guys like me and you
Ruby is only interested in finding her father and doesn't care about other men in her life.
Ravishing Ruby, a beautiful young girl now
Ruby has blossomed into a young, attractive woman.
Ravishing Ruby, she made a solemn vow
Ruby has promised herself that she will find her father one day.
Waitin' on Smilin' Jack, he'll come rollin' by
Ruby believes that her father will return someday just as he promised.
And she wants to see him, she wants to touch him either way, dead or alive
Ruby wants to be reunited with her father so badly that she doesn't care if he is dead or alive.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOM HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clint Taylor
A great record that hit #1 on both the U.S. and Canadian country singles charts in 1973:
U.S.A.
#1 Record World
#3 Billboard
#3 Cash Box
Canada
#1 RPM Country Tracks
Tom T. was a regular on Dean Martin's Country Music program that aired on NBC in 1973. During one rehearsal Tom was singing Ravishing Ruby (apparently with some extra gusto) when Dean hollered at him, "Take it easy kid, you got the job!" As it turned out Ravishing Ruby became a favorite of Dean's. Later on he joined Loretta Lynn & Tom T. for some singing on the program:
https://youtu.be/d58a_jRyPwA
Tom told this story on a Ralph Emery radio show that aired in January 1974.
ukrandr
Really sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Always loved his songs and stories, Ruby and Clayton Delaney especially.
Lisa Pomazal
This brings back so many memories. Thank you Mr. Tom T Hall. You will be sorely missed
Jimmy Lewis
I grew up listening to Tom T Hall. Great storyteller. My favorite is Old dogs and children, and watermelon wine. It makes me cry everytime I hear it because it is so true. Especially the part about God bless little children, while they're still too young to hate.
James Fife
Yes, Jimmy, he's a great storyteller. That line about little children is just so true. Such a beautiful song. It was played at a close family friend's funeral and everytime I hear it I think of him. Tom T. Hall a legend...
Bob Schillemore
One of his best songs ever!!
Glen
Tom T Hall is a supreme story song writer..
Horsehide
Perfecamente, and that is why they call Tom the Storyteller
Kevin Miller
RIP Tom T., aka The Storyteller; you are now reunited with many of your fellow country performers, i.e. Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, etc.
dolphin9731
My all time two favorite male country singers are Tom T Hall, and Bobby Bare. To me, they both embody everything country music should be about.
Randall Terry
This song takes me back to a less frightening world.