The Last Letter
| "The Last Letter" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Rex Griffin | |
| B-side | "Over the River" |
| Released | June 1937 |
| Format | 10" single (Decca-5383) |
| Recorded | May 13, 1937 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:03 |
| Label | Decca |
| Writer(s) | Rex Griffin |
"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin
A standard of country music, the tune was covered by diverse acts. Jimmie Davis' 1939 version became a hit, while it was covered by diverse country acts.
Writing and original recording
In 1937, singer-songwriter Rex Griffin wrote "The Last Letter" while he was living in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] He was inspired to write the song after he was left by his wife.[2] The lyrics told the story of a suicide letter,[3] written by an older man directed to a younger woman.[4] It described his bitterness, and pain for the end of their romance.[2]
Griffin recorded "The Last Letter" during a New York session on May 13, 1937.[1] The single, backed with "Over the River" on the flipside was released the same year on Decca Records. Despite that "The Last Letter" turned into a hit, the poor sales of Griffin caused his dismissal by the label.[5] The song became later considered a standard of Country music.[6]
Cover versions
Country singer Jimmie Davis recorded the song again in 1939, turning it again into a hit.[2] It was covered as well by The Blue Sky Boys and The Carter Family.[7]
In 1963, Ernest Tubb recorded a cover version for his Rex Griffin tribute album Just Call Me Lonesome. The song was recorded at Bradley's Barn Studio on April 19, 1962, produced by Owen Bradley[8] Tubb, who was influenced by Griffin, had originally learned the song and others by Griffin that he would often perform. Both singers toured together, remaining friend until Griffin's death in 1958.[9] The same year, Willie Nelson recorded the song. RCA Records released the song as the flipside of the single "Half a Man".[10]
The following year, Jack Greene released his version of the song on the album Ernest Tubb Presents the Texas Troubadours, becoming after its success a solo act.[11] "The Last Letter" was also covered by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell.[5]
Bob Dylan's To Ramona is a nod to Rex Griffin and his song The Last Letter.
Footnotes
- 1 2 Pugh, Ronnie 1988, p. 74.
- 1 2 3 Wolff, Kurt 2000, p. 118.
- ↑ Tosches, Nick 2009, p. 63.
- ↑ Escott, Colin; Merritt, George; MacEwen, William 1994, p. 38.
- 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra Chris 2003, p. 297.
- ↑ Sachs, Bill 1958, p. 6.
- ↑ Larkin, Collin 1998, p. 177.
- ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 275, 404-405.
- ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 74-75.
- ↑ Billboard staff 1963, p. 24.
- ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 275.
References
- Billboard staff (1963). "Singles Review". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc) 75 (3). ISSN 0006-2510.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra Chris (2003). All Music Guide to Country: The Definitive Guide to Country Music. ISBN 9780879307608.
- Escott, Colin; Merritt, George; MacEwen, William (1994). Hank Williams: The Biography. Hachette Digital, Inc. p. 307. ISBN 0-316-24986-6.
- Larkin, Collin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music. Indiana University. ISBN 978-0-753-50236-5.
- Pugh, Ronnie (1988). "Rex Griffin: Passing on the Rodgers Legacy". Mid-America Folklore (Ozark States Folklore Society and the English Department, Southwest Missouri State University). 16-17.
- Tosches, Nick (2009). "Country: The Twisted Roots of Rock 'n' Roll". Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-786-75098-6.
- Pugh, Ronnie (1998). Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubadour. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-822-32190-3.
- Sachs, Bill (1958). "Folk Talent & Tunes". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc) 70 (48). ISSN 0006-2510.
- Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-858-28534-4.
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