It’s a wild ride through a world of moonshine, heartache, and that unmistakable twang that defined country music in the late 1950s.
Though Jones would become synonymous with tear-in-your-beer ballads later in his career, “White Lightning” is a different beast altogether. Released in 1959, it marked a turning point for the young singer. While he’d already shown promise with earlier hits like “No Eyes Cryin’ Tonight,” “White Lightning” propelled him to national stardom, becoming his first-ever No. 1 single.
Background
The song itself is a fascinating blend of influences. Written by the rockabilly artist J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, “White Lightning” injects a shot of rock and roll energy into the classic country formula.
There’s a bit of lore surrounding the recording of “White Lightning” that speaks to Jones’s raucous personality. According to his autobiography, I Lived To Tell It All, he was so inebriated during the studio session that it took a staggering 80 takes to capture a decent version.
“White Lightning” wasn’t just a hit for Jones; it was a cultural phenomenon. It crossed genre lines, finding a home on both country and pop charts.
The song’s success not only cemented Jones’s place in country music but also helped pave the way for the “honky-tonk” sound that would dominate the genre in the 1960s. So, when you hit play on “White Lightning,” you’re not just listening to a catchy country tune.
You’re experiencing a piece of musical history, a song that captured a moment in time and launched a legendary career. It’s a testament to Jones’s unmatched talent and a reminder that sometimes, the most electrifying music comes with a shot of rebellion.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Well, in the North of Carolina, way back in the hillsMe and my old pappy and he had him a stillHe brewed white lightnin’ ’til the sun went downAnd then you’d fill him a jug and he’d pass it aroundMighty, mighty pleasin’, pappy’s corn squeezin’Sh, white lightnin’Well, the “G” men, “T” men, revenuers, tooSearchin’ for the place where he made his brewThey were looking, tryin to book him, but my pappy kept on cookin’Phoo, white lightnin’Well, I asked my old pappy why he called his brewWhite lightnin’ ‘stead of mountain dewI took a little sip and right away I knewAs my eyes bugged out and my face turned blueLightnin’ started flashin’, thunder started clashin’Sh, white lightnin’
Harley