Download with Lead    I’ve always loved the chord changes and lyrics to this song, but I never much cared for the Hank Williams “cowboy” version.  I know… it’s a classic.  But sometimes the original isn’t always the best.

Hank used to say that this tune “bought me and the boys quite a few beans and biscuits”, and I’m sure it did.  Recorded in 1950, it sailed to the top of the country charts even though it was released as the B-side to another, lesser, song (Dear John).  The impetus behind it was his wife, Audrey.  Seems while Mr. Williams was on the road she sort of slept around – a lot.  ‘Course, so did he – so what’s a person to do?  Anyway, she got pregnant by another man (imagine that in 1950) and tried to perform an at-home abortion – which went very wrong.  In the hospital recuperating, Hank went to see her and she threw him out, maintaining this was all his fault (uh…okay).  He went home and told the housekeeper that Audrey had a cold, cold heart and a light bulb went off.

I finally heard an arrangement of the song I really like.  Norah Jones put a jazz touch to it in 2002 and that’s the way we do it today.  I tried to get as close to Jones’ instrumentation as I could and Karen does a splendid job with the vocals.  So can you… it’s on the jazz list without the lead line (midi or MP3).  Work it up and give it a shot on your next hotel lobby gig.