I liked yesterday’s tune from 1959 so much that I decided to grab another from the same year. This is a classic song called Tennessee Waltz with lyrics by Redd Stewart and music by Pee Wee King. It was written in 1946 and first recorded in 1948. One of the biggest versions is by the singer Patti Page in 1950. She has a great version, but for me, Connie Francis just slaps a little different. I’m not over exaggerating when I say that I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times. 

It looks like Connie’s album of country western hits was first released in 1959. Before she hit stardom, she was just your average kid from New Jersey. According to her autobiography, Connies father put her in many talent shows, pageants, and neighborhood festivities from the age of four as a singer and accordion player. She was on a few talent television programs and eventually was signed to a contract with MGM Records. Nothing she recorded took off, and she considered dropping singing completely. She was about to accept a 4-year scholarship to NYU in medicine when she was finishing her last session with MGM. She reluctantly recorded a song her father chose, and went home. While watching American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, she was amazed to hear her name mentioned. She wrote about the experience in her diary.

“I heard Dick Clark mention something about a new girl singer. So, what else is new? Another girl singer. There are ninety-five million females in the country, and I’ll bet ninety-five percent of them sing. “There’s no doubt about it”, predicted Mr. Clark. “She’s is headed straight for the number one spot”. I began feeling sorry for myself and a bit envious, too. Good luck to her, I thought. And then Mr. Clark just happened to play a song called “Who’s sorry now” – MY “Who’s Sorry Now”! Well, the feeling was cosmic – just cosmic! Right there in my living-room, it became Mardi Gras-time and New Year’s Eve at the turn of the century!“

She was a star within weeks.

Fun fact: Francis, raised in an Italian-Jewish neighborhood, became fluent in Yiddish and later recorded songs in Yiddish and Hebrew.

Listen for: Connie’s beautiful voice. I love how she ends some of her phrases. Almost like a little whimper down the scale. Also, the BGV’s are incredible. Take a listen to how much they add yet still stay in the background. Same with the pianist. His lines lead you in and out of sections of the song.

Hope you enjoy!

I was waltzing with my darling to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see
Introduced her to my loved one, and while they were waltzing
My friend stole my sweetheart from me

---

I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darling the night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz

---

Recent Posts

• Empty Saddles · Burl Ives (1961)
• Cheap Seats · Alabama (1993)
• On The Sunny Side Of The Street · Aloysio De Oliveira (1957)
• Help Me · Joni Mitchell (1974)
• the 1 · Taylor Swift (2020)

My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 I do.

Subscribe below to get some great tunes in your inbox each day. Or maybe forward to a friend you think would love the song. Hope you enjoy!