A chart tally of 89 singles chart appearances, over a interval of 36 years, tells you that Faron Younger was a rustic king. The document that first allowed him to assert that title, “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young,” took its bow on each the Greatest Sellers In Shops and Most Performed By Jockeys lists revealed by Billboard on April 2, 1955. By mid-June, it was beginning three weeks as a rustic No.1.
Younger, the vocal stylist from Shreveport, Louisiana, had loved 4 earlier substantial hits by that point, two of which (“Goin’ Steady” and “If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’”) had reached No.2. His new Capitol single was written by Joe Allison, a Nashville-based broadcaster and songwriter of a few years’ standing.
The songs of Joe Allison
Amongst different compositions, Allison’s “When You Leave, Don’t Slam The Door” had been a giant nation hit way back to 1946 for Tex Ritter. Later, in 1959, he would change into greatest recognized for one more tune written along with his first spouse Audrey, when Jim Reeves turned “He’ll Have To Go” into an enormous nationwide and worldwide hit.
Younger made no secret of the truth that he didn’t a lot take care of “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young.” However he joked that he got here to adore it extra because it began to do effectively. He helped its progress with a tour of the Pacific Northwest that April. The caravan additionally featured Nineteen Fifties and 60s nation chart regulars the Wilburn Brothers and the yodelling Judy Lynn & her Arizona Playboys. Lynn would hit large in 1962 with “Footsteps Of A Fool.”
First of 5 nation No.1s
“Live Fast…” turned the primary of Younger’s 5 nation No.1s, which additionally included 1958’s “Alone With You” and the 1959 single “Country Girl,” which we cowl on this story concerning the celebrated metal guitarist on the observe, Ben Keith. There was 1961’s “Hello Walls,” which helped unfold the title of its author, Willie Nelson, and the 1971 tune that gave Faron one other of his logos, and a UK hit, “It’s Four In The Morning.”
Take heed to uDiscover Music’s Nation Music In 20 Songs playlist.
There was one other 1955 recording of “Live Fast…” by Eddie Cochran, whose model lastly got here out on the 1997 assortment Rockin’ It Nation Model. British admirer Nick Lowe then put it on his 1984 album Nick Lowe and his Cowboy Outfit.
Purchase or stream Faron Younger’s “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young” on his Full Capitol Hits compilation.
