Friday Five: Johnny Russell Tribute

Tomorrow would have been Johnny Russell’s 70th birthday (he passed away in 2001). He was well-known for performing hits like “Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer” and “Catfish John,” but today’s Friday Five features my favorite Russell-penned songs that have been recorded by other artists.

Honorable Mention: In a Mansion Stands My Love – Jim Reeves

This tune about marrying for money was the B-side to “He’ll Have to Go.” It’s pretty similar to the Hank Williams/Fred Rose song “Mansion on the Hill,” in case you’re compiling a playlist about sad single guys in cabins.

• 5. “Let’s Fall To Pieces Together” – George Strait

  Strait topped the charts with this single (which Russell co-wrote with Dickey Lee and Tommy Rocco) back in 1984. As far as pickup lines go, “Pardon me, you left your tears on the jukebox” may not be as smooth as “Excuse me, I think you’ve got my chair”, but it seems to work for King George.

• 4. “Making Plans” – Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton

  This couple is carefully plotting out the dissolution of their relationship. One wonders what these plans must have looked like. Tuesday, 7:45: Drink and cry whilst ripping up photographs. 9:30: Contemplate becoming a crazy cat lady. Decide against it. 9:35: Be lonesome.

• 3. “Got No Reason Now for Going Home” – Gene Watson

  This one’s a single from 1984’s Heartaches and Love and Stuff. Now that his gal’s left him, Gene doesn’t want to return to an empty house. So pour another one and listen to one of country’s finest voices sing about “missing her, hurtin’ so, and drinkin’.”

• 2. “Beautiful Unhappy Home” – Ernest Tubb & Loretta Lynn

  Ernest Tubb is my favorite duet partner for Loretta Lynn, and the two sound great here. “Beautiful Unhappy Home,” co-written with Teddy Wilburn, tells the story of a loveless marriage held together by a child and tasteful interior decoration.

• 1. “Act Naturally” – Buck Owens

  It’s only one of the best songs ever. Four floppy-haired British lads recorded the song in 1965 (and one would team up with Owens in the late ’80s for an all new version complete with goofy music video), but around here we’re partial to Buck’s 1963 take on it.