About the song
In the pantheon of American popular music, few songs have managed to capture the essence of the Wild West as effectively as “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance”. Written by the legendary duo of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this iconic song was first released by Gene Pitney in 1962 and has since become a timeless classic, evoking the spirit of the American frontier and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The song’s origins are shrouded in a hint of mystery, with some debate surrounding its intended use in the film of the same name, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. While it ultimately did not feature in the song, Pitney himself revealed that the recording session was funded by Paramount Pictures, and that he only discovered the song would not be included in the film midway through the production process.
Despite this, “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” went on to achieve significant commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on Canada’s CHUM Hit Parade. Its impact was not limited to the charts, however, as the song’s themes of courage, honor, and the clash between law and order resonated deeply with audiences.
One of the song’s most distinctive features is its innovative use of instrumentation, particularly the solo violin that plays in the upper register, adding a haunting, elegiac quality to the melody. The chorus, with its dramatic tympani strikes, perfectly captures the tension and drama of the gunfight that lies at the heart of the song’s narrative.
Lyrically, “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” tells the story of a heroic figure who stands up to the notorious outlaw Liberty Valance, despite the danger and uncertainty that lies ahead. The song’s narrative is notable for its departures from the film’s plot, with the lyrics introducing a romantic subplot and a sense of foreboding that is not present in the movie.
Over the years, “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” has been covered by numerous artists, including Jimmie Rodgers, The Greg Kihn Band, and James Taylor, each bringing their own unique interpretation to the song. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless appeal of its themes and the craftsmanship of its writers.
In 2010, the Western Writers of America ranked “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” No. 36 on their list of the top 100 Western songs of all time, a recognition of its status as a classic of the genre. Today, the song remains a beloved favorite among fans of American music, its themes of courage, honor, and the American West continuing to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
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Lyrics
When Liberty Valance rode to town
The womenfolk would hide, they’d hide
When Liberty Valance walked around
The men would step aside
‘Cause the point of a gun was the only law
That Liberty understood
When it came to shooting straight and fast
He was mighty good
From out of the East a stranger came
A law book in his hand, a man
The kind of a man the West would need
To tame a troubled land
‘Cause the point of a gun was the only law
That Liberty understood
When it came to shooting straight and fast
He was mighty good
Many a man would face his gun
And many a man would fall
The man who shot Liberty Valance
He shot Liberty Valance
He was the bravest of them all
The love of a girl can make a man stay on
When he should go, stay on
Just trying to build a peaceful life
Where love is free to grow
But the point of a gun was the only law
That Liberty understood
When the final showdown came at last
A law book was no good
Alone and afraid, she prayed that he’d
Return that fateful night, oh that night
When nothing she said could keep her man
From going out to fight
From the moment a girl gets to be full grown
The very first thing she learns
When two men go out to face each other
Only one returns
Everyone heard two shots ring out
One shot made Liberty fall
The man who shot Liberty Valence
He shot Liberty Valance
He was the bravest of them all
The man who shot Liberty Valance
He shot Liberty Valance
He was the bravest of them all