About the song
In the world of country music, there are songs that are popular, and then there are songs that are seminal. Kitty Wells’ 1952 hit, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” falls into the latter category. This groundbreaking song not only made Wells a star, but it also helped to usher in a new era for women in country music.
Written by J.D. “Jay” Miller, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was a bold and defiant response to Hank Thompson’s hit, “The Wild Side of Life.” Thompson’s song painted a sympathetic portrait of a woman who turned to alcohol and honky-tonks after being abandoned by her man. Wells’ song, on the other hand, took a more critical view of the situation, arguing that it was the unfaithful husband, not God, who was to blame for the woman’s downfall.
The song’s lyrics were unapologetically feminist for their time, and they struck a chord with many women who were tired of being blamed for the sins of men. Wells’ strong and confident delivery of the song helped to make it an even more powerful anthem.
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was a commercial and critical success. It reached number one on the Billboard country charts in 1952, making Wells the first female solo artist to top the chart. The song also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 13. Wells went on to record several more hits in the 1950s and 1960s, but “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” remained her signature song.
The song’s impact on country music is undeniable. It helped to pave the way for other female artists, such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette, who were able to write and sing about their own experiences as women. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is also considered to be one of the first songs to address the issue of domestic violence.
In 1998, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It is a true country music classic that continues to be admired and performed by artists today.
Video
Lyrics
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playing
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are saying
It brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women
It’s not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that’s ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong