“I Owe My Soul to….”
Sound Beat
Friday, August 6, 2021 -
Merle Travis recorded the original 16 tons in 1946…though he did have a little help with its legacy.
You’re on the Sound Beat.
The lyrics of Sixteen Tons paint a grim picture of a Kentucky coal miner’s life.
Tennessee Ernie Ford took a shine to the song, recording and releasing it as a B-side to “You Don’t Have to Be a Baby to Cry” in October of ‘55. Two months later, it was the greatest selling single of all time.
Travis would express his thanks onstage, frequently changing the last stanza to “I owe my soul to… Tennessee Ernie Ford.”
Subscribe to this podcast
Riverton Weather
-
Fri
88°F
-
Sat
88°F
-
Sun
90°F
-
Mon
84°F
Currently playing on Delmarva FM
-
Talk Nation Radio
4:00am - 4:30am
David Swanson, interviews guests on a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on peace, justice, and political action.
Coming up on Delmarva FM
-
Sea Change Radio
4:30am - 5:00am
Covering the shift to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
-
The Michael Slate Show
5:00am - 6:00am
Michael Slate is a revolutionary communist and the host of The Michael Slate Show, a weekly interview based talk show on KPFK Los Angeles.