R.I.P. Kitty Wells

[swt]

Kitty indeed was the rightful queen of country music. She died Monday from complications from a stroke. She was 92.

She's best known for her 1952 hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," written by J.D. Miller, probably is the greatest "answer song" in the history of music. It was a pointed reply to the Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life."

But one of the most soulful country songs ever recorded was Kitty's "Making Believe." Kitty had a hit with it in the '50s. Emmylou Harris and Merle Haggard both did fine versions. But I also love how Social Distortion made it work as a punk-rock stomper.

Here's an obituary from the Los Angeles Times' Pop & Hiss blog. And below are videos of Kitty singing those two wonderful songs.

[Lutz Vipinderwoman]

The kitty fell into the well....I never knew she had written Making Believe (which I love). My old band covered both Amigo's Blue Guitar (and Honky Tonk Angel). I've always liked her.

[swt]

She didn't actually write "Making Believe," but she had the first hit with it back in the '50s.
Lutz Vipinderwoman said:

The kitty fell into the well....I never knew she had written Making Believe (which I love). My old band covered both Amigo's Blue Guitar (and Honky Tonk Angel). I've always liked her.