(Editor’s note: Here’s on of Maggie’s from a couple years back. We need this sort of list because hopefully soon we will have turned the COVID corner and we’ll need good songs to play with each other again.)
A couple years ago, the Bluegrass Situation published Justin Hiltner’s “10 Bluegrass Songs Ready for Retirement,” and they trot it out every now and then to rile up a few more readers.
Whatever you think of the songs on his list, and we will all have different opinions, of course, here’s another take. These are ten songs that I think should get more jam time. If they aren’t in your rotation, give them a listen (linked to YouTube videos).
10. Rock Salt and Nails
Utah Phillips refers to this song as “a hard angry love song.” Interestingly, in an interview he says he performed it just once, and then felt it was no longer relevant. But, it has been often covered since its first release by Rosalie Sorrels in 1961 (to whom he taught it), notably by Flatt and Scruggs in 1965 and JD Crowe and the New South in 1975. Here’s a more recent live version with Front Country.
9. Next Sunday Darling, is My Birthday
Written by James Pritchett and Sydney Nathan, this song is often associated with Hank Williams, but in fact has been covered copiously over the years. Here’s a scratchy old Stanley Brothers recording. If you’re tired of sappy happy birthday songs, this one will stop them in their tracks.
8. Colleen Malone
Colleen Malone was written by Pete Goble and Leroy Maxey Drumm (“Tennessee 1949”, “Julianne”), but most famously covered by Tim O’Brien and Hot Rize. It has one of those old timey, Celtic-roots feels, but is pure Americana. This video is on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Hot Rize. This song was the first single from their album of those many years ago. It was the 1991 song of the year.
7. Heaven Seemed So Near
This is a 1959 Stanley Brothers tune, covered nicely by IIIrd Tyme Out. “Heaven Seemed So Near” was the Stanley Brothers King label debut, and was on the flip side of “How Far to Little Rock.” Take a listen to the Stanley Brothers recording.
6. At the End of a Long Lonely Day
More country than bluegrass, this song has nonetheless been covered by various bluegrass bands. It’s a tear-jerker. Written and recorded by Marty Robbins in 1956, it’s covered here by Danny Paisley at the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) 2016 Kevin Prather showcase.
5. The Likes of You
“The Likes of You,” written by Darrell Edwards, first appeared on a George Jones album in 1963 (The Ballad Side of George Jones). The great Lynn Morris recorded it in 1999. If you want to sing along, here is the karaoke version.
4. How Many Times
This is one of those songs that people hear and connect with on a variety of levels. Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick do it justice here, appropriately on Vern’s Stage at the 2009 Father’s Day Festival. It appears on Vern Williams and Ray Park’s only album, Sounds from the Ozarks (1974, Old Homestead).
3. Up This Hill and Down
“Up This Hill and Down” was written by Richard Staedtler and recorded by the Osborne Brothers in 1965. This one has one of my favorite lines in bluegrass: “I work so hard to live, I ain’t got no life.” There are a number of covers, including this one by the Claire Lynch Band.
2. Ruby–Are You Mad at Your Man?
In doing a bit of research for this column, I discovered that this song was the 1952 theme song for the film Ruby Gentry, starring Jennifer Jones and Charlton Heston. This song was written by Heinz Roemheld (a prominent film composer and Academy Award Winner) and Mitchell Parish (who wrote the lyrics to “Stardust,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Sleigh Ride,” among many others). For me, the new modern standard is the Caroline Chocolate Drops rollicking old-time version. The Osborne Brothers recorded a faster, more bluegrass version.
1. Count Me Out
Jeanne Pruett went from being Marty Robbins’ secretary to an accomplished songwriter and singer. She won the CMA female vocalist of the year in 1973 (for “Satin Sheets”), but previously, in 1966, she wrote “Count Me Out” for Marty Robbins. This recording by the Del McCoury Band just shines. I could listen to it a hundred times a day.
You probably have songs you’d add, or disagree with my choices, but whatever your thoughts, it’s fun to add some of those lesser-played songs to your repertoire. Life’s too short to play the same old songs all the time. Or, if we’re lucky, life’s too long.
