Jerry Lee Lewis

Songwriter: A.P. Carter William Warren

Producer: Shelby Singleton Jr.

You wouldn't read my letter if I wrote you
You asked me not to call you on the phone
But there's something I'm wanting to tell you
So I wrote it in the words of this song

I didn't know they made honky tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one who really loved you
And went back to the wild side of life

The glamour of the gay night life has lured you
To the places where the wine and liquor flow
You just sit and wait to be anybody's baby and forget the truest love you'll ever know

I didn't know they made honky tonk angels
I might have known you'd never make a wife
You gave up the only one who really loved you
And went back to the wild side of life

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

more tracks from the album

Country Songs for City Folks

From the album

Country Songs for City Folks (1965)

Jerry Lee Lewis popular songs

The Wild Side of LifeJerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis

Country Songs for City Folks