Date: Jun 1, 1959
Weeks: 2
Apparently this song was originally written by a high school principal who was trying to create an educational song for his students. His name was Jimmie Driftwood, and his original version is a bit longer and more informative. Clearly his intent was to educate. The Johnny Horton version distills the lyrics a bit and boils it down to the essence of the story. It's probably not as educational, but the story is stronger for its focus.
I don't understand the decision to change "really gave 'em hell" to "Really gave 'em ...well." It feels really weak, and seems too much like a joke that isn't very funny, especially when the entire song pauses to acknowledge it. If anything, I would have expected the principal's version to shy away from the language, not the hit song version. Aside from that, the lyrics are really quite good. Whatever time went into condensing the lyrics in the Horton version was well-spent, because they really are sharp and focused, and contribute to a well-told story.
The song is also sung well. Horton brings a passion to the vocals that keeps the song fun and engaging. His voice builds in intensity throughout the song, peaking in the last few iterations of the chorus. That intensity feels appropriate for the generally war-themed song, like he's singing at the climax of the battle.
The choice of instruments in the music ties in to the subject matter, too. It's a colonial drum beat like the kind soldiers marched to in the War of 1812, with a banjo over the top of it, expressing the Southernness of the setting. Add in some backing vocals, voices of marching soldiers, and a light touch of bass, and you've got the entire song. It's musically very simple, but the simpleness is effective, and rightly throws attention to the lyrics.
My verdict: Like it. It's a well-told story, and the music and vocals are effective.
I always assumed saying "well" instead of "hell" was because it was the '50s and they wanted it to a) get played on the radio, and b) sell.
ReplyDeleteGood grief, who wrote the lyrics in the version you've linked? They leave out words, misspell "Mississippi," and call Old Hickory "Old Hitcreek."
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