Let Me Go, Devil

Last updated

"Let Me Go, Devil" is a song written in 1953 by Jenny Lou Carson. Carson greatly admired the talents of Hank Williams. Williams' battle with alcoholism and subsequent death inspired her to write the song.

It was first recorded on July 2, 1953, by Wade Ray, followed a few weeks later by Georgie Shaw, Johnny Bond and Tex Ritter.

In 1954, then Columbia Records producer Mitch Miller felt the song as written was too depressing for pop audiences and suggested that "Devil" be changed to "Lover". The pop song writing team of Fred Wise, Kay Twomey, and Ben Weisman writing under the pseudonym Al Hill, were hired to rewrite the lyrics. The song became the major 1954-1955 hit, "Let Me Go, Lover!."

In 1954, it was also recorded By Hank Snow, on RCA Victor 47-5960. [1] The 45rpm label showed "Let Me Go, Lover"; however the lyrics heard on the piece were "Let Me Go, Woman", following closely the Mitch Miller revised lyrics.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Snow</span> Canadian musician (1914–1999)

Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music guitarist, singer and songwriter. Most popular in the 1950s, his career spanned more than 50 years. He recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980. His number-one hits include the self-penned songs "I'm Moving On", "The Golden Rocket", and "The Rhumba Boogie"; and famous versions of "I Don't Hurt Anymore", "Let Me Go, Lover!", "I've Been Everywhere", "Hello Love", as well as other top 10 hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Ballard</span> American singer and songwriter (1927–2003)

Hank Ballard was an American singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of the Midnighters and one of the first rock and roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an integral part in the development of the genre, releasing the hit singles "Work With Me, Annie" and answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's Aunt Fannie" with his Midnighters. He later wrote and originally recorded "The Twist" which was notably covered a year later by Chubby Checker, this second version spreading the popularity of the dance. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Cahn</span> American lyricist, songwriter, musician

Samuel Cohen, known professionally as Sammy Cahn, was an American lyricist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premiered by recording companies in the Greater Los Angeles Area. He and his collaborators had a series of hit recordings with Frank Sinatra during the singer's tenure at Capitol Records, but also enjoyed hits with Dean Martin, Doris Day and many others. He played the piano and violin, and won an Oscar four times for his songs, including the popular hit "Three Coins in the Fountain".

Joan Weber was an American popular music singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Foley</span> American country musician (1910–1968)

Clyde Julian "Red" Foley was an American musician who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II.

"Let Me Go, Lover!", a popular song, was written by Jenny Lou Carson and Al Hill, a pen name used by Fred Wise, Kathleen Twomey, and Ben Weisman. It is based on an earlier song called "Let Me Go, Devil", about alcoholism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Weisman</span> American composer

Benjamin Weisman was an American composer. He wrote 57 songs recorded by Elvis Presley, more than any other songwriter.

Robert Stanley Crewe was an American songwriter, dancer, singer, manager, and record producer. Crewe co-wrote and produced a string of Top 10 singles with Bob Gaudio for the Four Seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Midnighters</span> American vocal group

The Midnighters were an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan. They were an influential group in the 1950s and early 1960s, with many R&B hit records. They were also notable for launching the career of lead singer Hank Ballard and the worldwide dance craze the Twist. Between 1953 and 1962 the Midnighters had several hits on the U.S. pop and R&B charts. Their hits included the million-selling Billboard Top 10 pop hits "Finger Poppin' Time", and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go". The Midnighters also had 13 top 10 R&B hits, including three that reached number 1. Their top 10 R&B hits included "Work with Me, Annie", "It's Love Baby ", "Annie Had a Baby", "The Hoochi Coochi Coo", "Teardrops on Your Letter", "Get It", "The Float" and "Nothing but Good". They received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award in 1992 and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Midnighters are also noted for achieving a music industry milestone in 1960, by becoming the first group in history to place 3 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. The group's lead singer, Hank Ballard, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. The Midnighters as a group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012.

Let Me Go may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Lou Carson</span> American country-music singer-songwriter

Jenny Lou Carson,, born Virginia Lucille Overstake, was an American country music singer-songwriter and the first woman to write a No. 1 country music hit. From 1945 to 1955 she was one of the most prolific songwriters in country music.


"Ramblin' Man" is a song written in 1951 by Hank Williams. It was released as the B-side to the 1953 number one hit "Take These Chains from My Heart", as well as to the 1976 re-release of "Why Don't You Love Me". It is also included on the 40 Greatest Hits, a staple of his CD re-released material.

"Release Me", is a popular song written by Eddie "Piano" Miller and Robert Yount in 1949. Four years later it was recorded by Jimmy Heap & the Melody Masters, and with even better success by Patti Page (1954), Ray Price (1954), and Kitty Wells (1954). Jivin' Gene [Bourgeois] & the Jokers recorded the tune in 1960, and that version served as an inspiration for Little Esther Phillips, who reached number one on the R&B chart and number eight on the pop chart with her big-selling cover. The Everly Brothers followed in 1963, along with Lucille Starr including a translation in French (1964), Jerry Wallace (1966), Dean Martin (1967), Engelbert Humperdinck (1967) who was number one on the UK Singles Chart and many others in the years after such as Jewels Renauld (2022).

<i>Columbus Stockade Blues</i> 1970 compilation album by Willie Nelson

Columbus Stockade Blues is a 1970 album by country singer Willie Nelson. It is an abridged reissue of Nelson's 1966 album, Country Favorites-Willie Nelson Style without the songs "Making Believe", "Home In San Antone", and "My Window Faces The South".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Rob Another Man's Castle</span> 1949 song by Jenny Lou Carson

"Don't Rob Another Man's Castle" is a song written by Jenny Lou Carson. The song was first performed by Eddy Arnold who reached No. 1 on the Folk Best Seller charts in 1949.

Seymour "Cy" Coben was an American songwriter, whose hits were recorded by bandleaders, country singers, and other artists such as The Beatles, Tommy Cooper and Leonard Nimoy.

"A Mansion on the Hill" is a song written by Hank Williams and Fred Rose and originally recorded by Williams on MGM Records. It peaked at No. 12 on the Most Played Jukebox Folk Records chart in March 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Gilley</span> Country music songwriter

Herbert Paul Gilley was an American country music lyricist and promoter from Kentucky. In his lifetime, he was little known as a songwriter, but decades after his death by drowning at age 27, he was identified more widely as likely having written the lyrics to a dozen famous songs, including two that were hits for Hank Williams: "Cold, Cold Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". He may have also written "I Overlooked an Orchid", which was a number-one country hit in 1974 for Mickey Gilley. Other songs that have been attributed to Gilley include "If Teardrops Were Pennies", "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes", and "Crazy Arms".

<i>Ray Price Sings Heart Songs</i> 1957 studio album by Ray Price

Ray Price Sings Heart Songs is a studio album by country music artist Ray Price. It was released in 1957 by Columbia Records. AllMusic gave the album four-and-a-half stars. In Billboard magazine's annual poll of country and western disc jockeys, it was ranked No. 1 among the "Favorite C&W Albums" of 1957.

<i>Wanda Jackson</i> (album) 1958 studio album by Wanda Jackson

Wanda Jackson is the debut studio album by country music and rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson. It was released in July 1958 by Capitol Records.

References

  1. "Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger and His Rainbow Ranch Boys - Let Me Go, Lover! / I've Forgotten You". Discogs .