Let Me Go, Devil

"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!."

References

• Rogers, Arnold & Langley, Jerry (2005). Many Tears Ago: The Life and Times of Jenny Lou Carson. Nova/Nashville Books. ISBN 0-9628452-4-8