"Bubbles in My Beer" is a Western swing song that was originally recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys in 1947. It later became a standard that has been performed by many country music artists. One critic of drinking songs ranks it number 20, calls it "the ultimate self-pity song," and credits it with "setting the tone for a whole genre of songs about drowning sorrows in the barroom."[3]
| "Bubbles in My Beer" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Bob Wills | |
| B-side | "Spanish Fandango" |
| Released | December 8, 1947[1] |
| Recorded | October 30, 1947[2] |
| Genre | Western swing |
| Label | MGM Records 10116 |
| Songwriter(s) | T. Duncan, C. Walker, B. Wills |
The song's origins are the subject of different accounts (see Tommy Duncan for one); but there is agreement that Texas Playboys vocalist Duncan came up with the song's title and refrain, at which point songwriter Cindy Walker became involved.[4] Walker has been quoted as saying: "If you can get a real good title, you’ve got something. I always write from the title. I’ve never written a song without the title."[5]
Chart performance
edit| Chart (1948) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Folk Records[6] | 4 |
In 1971, a cover version by Ray Pennington peaked at number 68 on Billboard's U.S. country singles chart.[7]
Album versions
edit"Bubbles in My Beer" has appeared on albums by Bob Wills and several other notable country artists. The following list excludes compilations:
- Hank Thompson, Dance Ranch (1958)[8]
- Bob Wills, Mr. Words & Mr. Music (1961)[9]
- Ray Price, San Antonio Rose (1962)[10]
- George Jones, George Jones Sings Bob Wills (1962)[11]
- Charlie Walker, Born to Lose (1966)[12]
- Ernest Tubb, Baby It's So Hard to Be Good (1972)[13]
- Willie Nelson, Shotgun Willie (1973)[14]
- Bob Wills, For the Last Time (1974)[15]
- Johnny Gimble, Texas Honky-Tonk Hits (1988)[16]
- Jon Langford and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Salute the Majesty of Bob Wills (1998)[17]
- Willie Nelson, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker (2006)[18]
References
edit- ^ Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies: Bob Wills - part II
- ^ M-G-M 10000 - 10500 numerical listing Archived February 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, 10116.
- ^ Rich Stewart, "Rhythm and Booze," Modern Drunkard Magazine Archived December 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Country Music Treasures: The Story Behind The Song Archived December 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bill DeMain, "Cindy Walker", Performing Songwriter, Issue 92 (March/April 2006).
- ^ Billboard magazine, May 1, 1948, p. 30.
- ^ Allmusic Ray Pennington Chart with music sample
- ^ Allmusic Dance Ranch/Songs for Rounders Hank Thompson Review with music sample
- ^ Allmusic Mr. Words & Mr. Music Bob Wills
- ^ Allmusic San Antonio Rose Ray Price Review with music sample
- ^ Allmusic George Jones Sings Bob Wills Review with music sample
- ^ Allmusic "Bubbles in My Beer" Charlie Walker with music sample
- ^ Allmusic "Bubbles in My Beer" Ernest Tubb with music sample
- ^ Allmusic Shotgun Willie Willie Nelson Review with chart and music sample
- ^ Allmusic For the Last Time Bob Wills Review with chart and music sample
- ^ Allmusic Texas Honky-Tonk Hits Johnny Gimble Review
- ^ Allmusic Salute the Majesty of Bob Wills Pine Valley Cosmonauts Review with music sample
- ^ Allmusic You Don't Know Me: The songs of Cindy Walker Willie Nelson Review with chart and music sample