I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - wikipedia I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' Single by Hank Williams A-side `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' Released November 8, 1949 Recorded August 30, 1949, Herzog Studio, Cincinnati Genre Country, blues Length 2 : 48 Label MGM Songwriter ( s ) Hank Williams Hank Williams singles chronology `` You 're Gonna Change ( Or I 'm Gonna Leave ) '' ( 1949 ) `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' ( 1949 ) `` I Just Do n't Like This Kind of Living '' ( 1950 ) `` You 're Gonna Change ( Or I 'm Gonna Leave ) '' ( 1949 ) `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' ( 1949 ) `` I Just Do n't Like This Kind of Living '' ( 1950 ) `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' is a song written and recorded by American country music singer - songwriter Hank Williams in 1949. Williams wrote the song originally intending that the words be spoken, rather than sung, as he had done on several of his Luke the Drifter recordings. The song about loneliness was largely inspired by his troubled relationship with wife Audrey Sheppard. With evocative lyrics, such as the opening lines `` Hear that lonesome whip - poor - will / He sounds too blue to fly, '' the song has been covered by a wide range of musicians. During his Aloha from Hawaii TV - special, Elvis Presley introduced it by saying, `` I 'd like to sing a song that 's... probably the saddest song I 've ever heard. '' Contents 1 Hank Williams version 2 Cover versions 3 Chart performance 3.1 Hank Williams version 3.2 B.J. Thomas version 3.3 Charlie McCoy version 3.4 Leon Russell version ( credited to Hank Wilson ) 3.5 Terry Bradshaw version 3.6 Jerry Lee Lewis version 4 References 5 External links Hank Williams version According to Colin Escott 's 2004 book Hank Williams : A Biography, Williams was inspired to write the song when he found it on a schedule of upcoming MGM releases. The song was recorded on August 30, 1949 at Herzog Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Williams is backed by members of the Pleasant Valley Boys - Zeke Turner ( lead guitar ), Jerry Byrd ( steel guitar ), and Louis Innis ( rhythm guitar ) - as well as Tommy Jackson ( fiddle ) and Ernie Newton ( bass ). As Escott observes, the plaintive despair in Williams ' voice on the recording is echoed by the backing of the musicians : `` Zeke Turner underpinned ' I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry ' with recurring figures on the bass strings of the electric guitar. A few weeks earlier, Turner had led the backing on the Delmore Brothers ' recording of ' Blues Stay Away From Me ' using very similar licks... Jerry Byrd played a solo of unusual simplicity, paraphrasing the melody to haunting effect, subtly adjusting tone and volume. Hank sang with unshakable conviction. '' Remarkably, the song was released as the B - side to the blues `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' because up - tempo numbers were deemed more appropriate for the jukebox trade than melancholy ballads. The single reached # 4 on the country chart in 1949. The song has become closely identified with Williams ' legend and musical legacy and has been widely praised. In the 2003 documentary The Road to Nashville, singer k.d. lang states, `` I think ' I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry ' is one of the most classic American songs ever written, truly. Beautiful song. '' In his autobiography, Bob Dylan recalls, `` Even at a young age, I identified with him. I did n't have to experience anything that Hank did to know what he was singing about. I 'd never heard a robin weep, but could imagine it and it made me sad. '' In its online biography of the singer, Rolling Stone notes, `` In tracks like ' I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry ' Williams expressed intense, personal emotions with country 's traditional plainspoken directness, a then - revolutionary approach that has come to define the genre through the works of subsequent artists from George Jones and Willie Nelson to Gram Parsons and Dwight Yoakam. '' Rolling Stone ranked it # 111 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the oldest song on the list, and # 3 on its 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. Cover versions American singer / songwriter BJ Thomas was the first to make a hit out of this song in 1966. ( BJ Thomas & The Triumphs ). The song was recorded on the 1973 Glen Campbell LP I Remember Hank Williams. Terry Bradshaw, at the time the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, recorded the song in 1976. Bradshaw 's version was a top - 20 hit on the country charts. Johnny Cash covered the song on multiple occasions, including on the album American IV : The Man Comes Around in a duet with Nick Cave, a lifelong fan of Cash who picked the song after Rick Rubin asked him what song he would most like to sing if the two were to collaborate. Cowboy Junkies covered the song on their 1988 album The Trinity Session John Waite covered the song on his 1995 album `` Temple Bar '' Cassandra Wilson covered the song on her 1995 album New Moon Daughter Akiko Yano released a cover of `` I 'm So Lonesome I could Cry '' in her 1997 album Oui Oui. Volbeat covered this song on their 2008 album Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood Australian singer Gina Jeffreys covered the song on her album, Old Paint ( 2010 ). Guitarists John Scofields album Country For Old Men ( 2016 ) contains an instrumental jazz interpretation. Evanescence singer Amy Lee performed the song at the live tribute concert We Walk the Line : A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash. A.A. Bondy covered the song on numerous occasions including on WNRN 91.1 FM in Virginia. Everlast has covered the song in concerts, and sampled the original for the song `` This Kind Of Lonely '' on the 2004 album White Trash Beautiful. Yo La Tengo covered this song on their 2016 album Stuff Like That There. Chart performance Hank Williams version Year Chart Position 1949 Billboard Country Singles b - side of # 2 `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' 1966 Billboard Country Singles # 43 Williams ' version ranked # 29 in CMT 's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music in 2003. B.J. Thomas version Year Chart Position 1966 Billboard Pop Singles # 8 Charlie McCoy version Year Chart Position 1972 Billboard Country Singles # 23 Leon Russell version ( credited to Hank Wilson ) Year Chart Position 1973 United States Billboard Hot 100 78 Terry Bradshaw version Year Chart Position 1976 Billboard Country Singles # 17 Jerry Lee Lewis version Year Chart Position 1982 Billboard Country Singles # 43 References Jump up ^ Escott, Colin ( 2004 ). Hank Williams : The Biography. Back Bay Books. p. 125. Jump up ^ Escott, Colin ( 2004 ). Hank Williams : The Biography. Back Bay Books. p. 124. Jump up ^ Escott, Colin 2004. Jump up ^ Hank Williams, `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' Chart Positions Retrieved March 31, 2014 Jump up ^ Dylan, Bob, 2004 & 96. Jump up ^ `` Temple Bar - John Waite Songs, Reviews, Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 29. Jump up ^ `` ( Akiko Yano Official Website ) Discographies ''. Retrieved 2016 - 11 - 14. Jump up ^ WNRN ( 2009 - 11 - 04 ), AA Bondy - I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, retrieved 2017 - 06 - 03 External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Andy Williams Studio albums Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein Two Time Winners To You Sweetheart, Aloha Lonely Street The Village of St. Bernadette Under Paris Skies Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes Warm and Willing Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests The Andy Williams Christmas Album The Wonderful World of Andy Williams The Academy Award - Winning `` Call Me Irresponsible '' and Other Hit Songs from the Movies The Great Songs from `` My Fair Lady '' and Other Broadway Hits Andy Williams ' Dear Heart Merry Christmas The Shadow of Your Smile In the Arms of Love Born Free Love, Andy Honey Happy Heart Get Together with Andy Williams Raindrops Keep Fallin ' on My Head The Andy Williams Show Love Story You 've Got a Friend Love Theme from `` The Godfather '' Alone Again ( Naturally ) Solitaire The Way We Were Christmas Present You Lay So Easy on My Mind The Other Side of Me Andy Let 's Love While We Can Greatest Love Classics Close Enough for Love I Still Believe in Santa Claus Nashville We Need a Little Christmas I Do n't Remember Ever Growing Up Compilations Andy Williams Andy Williams ' Best Million Seller Songs Canadian Sunset Andy Williams ' Newest Hits May Each Day The Andy Williams Sound of Music Andy Williams ' Greatest Hits The Impossible Dream Love Story Andy Williams ' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 ( CBS ) Andy Williams ' Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Reflections The Best of Andy Williams ( 1992 ) Personal Christmas Collection 16 Most Requested Songs : Encore ! The Best of Andy Williams ( 1996 ) The Love Songs In the Lounge with... The Very Best of Andy Williams ( 2000 ) Andy The Essential Andy Williams B Sides and Rarities Music to Watch Girls By : The Very Best of Andy Williams Moon River : The Very Best of Andy Williams The Very Best of Andy Williams ( 2009 ) The Classic Christmas Album Live albums Greatest Hits The New Andy Williams Christmas Album Singles `` Walk Hand in Hand '' `` Canadian Sunset '' `` Butterfly '' `` I Like Your Kind of Love '' `` Lips of Wine '' `` Are You Sincere ? '' `` Promise Me, Love '' `` The Hawaiian Wedding Song '' `` Lonely Street '' `` The Village of St. Bernadette '' `` Danny Boy '' `` Fly by Night '' `` Stranger on the Shore '' `` Do n't You Believe It '' `` Twilight Time '' `` Ca n't Get Used to Losing You '' `` Days of Wine and Roses '' `` Hopeless '' `` A Fool Never Learns '' `` Charade '' `` Wrong for Each Other '' `` On the Street Where You Live '' `` Almost There '' `` Dear Heart '' ``... and Roses and Roses '' `` Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars ( Corcovado ) '' `` May Each Day '' `` You 're Gonna Hear from Me '' `` Bye Bye Blues '' `` How Can I Tell Her It 's Over '' `` In the Arms of Love '' `` Music to Watch Girls By '' `` Holly '' `` Ca n't Take My Eyes Off You '' `` Sweet Memories '' `` Battle Hymn of the Republic '' `` Happy Heart '' `` Live and Learn '' `` A Woman 's Way '' `` Ca n't Help Falling in Love '' `` One Day of Your Life '' `` It 's So Easy '' `` Home Lovin ' Man '' `` ( Where Do I Begin ? ) Love Story '' `` A Song for You '' `` You 've Got a Friend '' `` Speak Softly Love ( Love Theme from The Godfather ) '' `` MacArthur Park '' `` Solitaire '' `` Love 's Theme '' `` Another Lonely Song '' `` Cry Softly '' `` Sad Eyes '' `` The Other Side of Me '' `` Tell It Like It Is '' `` It 's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year '' B - Sides `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' `` I Want to Be Wanted '' `` Summertime '' `` So Rare '' `` Emily '' `` Red Roses for a Blue Lady '' `` I 'll Remember You '' `` Something '' `` My Love '' `` They Long to Be Close to You '' `` I Love My Friend '' Related articles Discography The Williams Brothers B.J. Thomas Albums On My Way Longhorns & Londonbridges Reunion You Gave Me Love ( When Nobody Gave Me a Prayer ) Love Shines The Living Room Sessions Singles `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' `` Hooked on a Feeling '' `` Raindrops Keep Fallin ' on My Head '' `` I Just Ca n't Help Believing '' `` Most of All '' `` Long Ago Tomorrow '' `` Rock and Roll Lullaby '' `` ( Hey Wo n't You Play ) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song '' `` Do n't Worry Baby '' `` I Recall a Gypsy Woman '' `` Whatever Happened to Old - Fashioned Love '' `` New Looks from an Old Lover '' `` Two Car Garage '' `` Night Life '' `` As Long As We Got Each Other '' Book : B.J. Thomas Hank Williams Discography Songs Albums Hank Williams Sings Hank Williams on Stage Three Hanks : Men with Broken Hearts The Complete Hank Williams Memorial Album Songs `` Move It On Over '' `` Honky Tonkin ' '' `` I Saw the Light '' `` Lovesick Blues '' `` Mind Your Own Business '' `` Lost Highway '' `` My Bucket 's Got a Hole in It '' `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' `` Long Gone Lonesome Blues '' `` Why Do n't You Love Me '' `` Cold, Cold Heart '' `` Hey, Good Lookin ' '' `` Honky Tonk Blues '' `` Half as Much '' `` Jambalaya ( On the Bayou ) '' `` You Win Again '' `` I 'll Never Get Out of This World Alive '' `` Kaw - Liga '' `` Your Cheatin ' Heart '' `` Take These Chains from My Heart '' `` The Blues Come Around '' `` Six More Miles ( To the Graveyard ) '' `` I 'm Satisfied with You '' `` The Pale Horse and His Rider '' Family Hank Williams Jr. Jett Williams Hank Williams III Holly Williams Related articles Death of Hank Williams List of tributes to Hank Williams Drifting Cowboys Sterling Records MGM Records Grand Ole Opry The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams The Garden Spot Programs, 1950 Rufus Payne Jerry Lee Lewis Studio albums Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee 's Greatest Soul My Way The Golden Cream of the Country Who 's Gonna Play This Old Piano ? Southern Roots : Back Home to Memphis Last Man Standing Mean Old Man Rock & Roll Time Collaborations Class of ' 55 ( with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison ) Million Dollar Quartet ( with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley ) Live albums Live at the Star Club, Hamburg The Survivors Live Last Man Standing Live Soundtrack albums Jamboree ( 1957 ) American Hot Wax ( 1978 ) Great Balls of Fire ! ( 1989 ) Dick Tracy ( 1990 ) Compilation albums All Killer, No Filler : The Anthology Songs `` Baby Baby Bye Bye '' `` Baby, Hold Me Close '' `` Breathless '' `` Chantilly Lace '' `` Cold, Cold Heart '' `` Come as You Were '' `` Crazy Arms '' `` Do n't Let Me Cross Over '' ( with Linda Gail Lewis ) `` Down the Line '' `` End of the Road '' `` Great Balls of Fire '' `` Hi - Heel Sneakers '' `` High School Confidential '' `` I 'm So Lonesome I Could Cry '' `` In the Mood '' `` Invitation to Your Party '' `` It 'll Be Me '' `` Jackson '' ( with Linda Gail Lewis ) `` Lewis Boogie '' `` Me and Bobby McGee '' `` One Has My Name ( The Other Has My Heart ) '' `` One Minute Past Eternity '' `` She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye '' `` She Still Comes Around ( To Love What 's Left of Me ) '' `` Sixteen Candles '' `` Somewhere Over the Rainbow '' `` Sweet Little Sixteen '' `` There Must Be More to Love Than This '' `` To Make Love Sweeter for You '' `` Turn On Your Love Light '' `` What 's Made Milwaukee Famous ( Has Made a Loser Out of Me ) '' `` What 'd I Say '' `` When He Walks on You ( Like You Have Walked On Me ) '' `` Whole Lotta Shakin ' Goin ' On '' `` Would You Take Another Chance on Me '' `` You Win Again '' Filmography Jamboree ( 1957 ) High School Confidential ( 1958 ) American Hot Wax ( 1978 ) Family Mickey Gilley Linda Gail Lewis Carl McVoy Jimmy Swaggart Related articles Discography Great Balls of Fire ! Walk the Line Kenny Lovelace Mack Vickery Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I%27m_So_Lonesome_I_Could_Cry&oldid=810931466 '' Categories : 1949 singles 1966 singles 1972 singles 1976 singles Songs written by Hank Williams Hank Williams songs B.J. Thomas songs Charlie McCoy songs Jerry Lee Lewis songs Terry Bradshaw songs Leon Russell songs Glen Campbell songs Tommy James and the Shondells songs Andy Williams songs Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Songs about loneliness 1949 songs MGM Records singles Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Italiano Nederlands Norsk nynorsk Português Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 18 November 2017, at 11 : 38. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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Question: who wrote the song i'm so lonesome i could cry
Answer: Hank Williams