About the song
Honky Tonk Angels and Heavenly Intervention: Kitty Wells’ Feminist Anthem
In the annals of country music history, few songs resonate with the same power and cultural significance as Kitty Wells’ “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” Released in 1952, this trailblazing track not only shattered chart records but also challenged prevailing societal norms, giving voice to women in a way rarely seen in the male-dominated world of country music.
To truly appreciate the impact of Wells’ song, we must first set the stage. The early 1950s were a time of conservative values and traditional gender roles. Country music, then still finding its footing as a mainstream genre, often reflected these ideals. Songs frequently portrayed women as either virtuous homemakers or heartbroken victims of wayward men. Into this landscape strode Hank Thompson with his chart-topping hit “The Wild Side of Life.” This song, laden with moral judgment, placed the blame for marital infidelity squarely on the shoulders of women, specifically those found in honky-tonk bars.
It was within this context that Kitty Wells, a relatively unknown singer at the time, delivered her powerful retort. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” flipped the script, turning the tables on Thompson’s narrative. With her clear, emotive vocals, Wells asserted that women weren’t inherently wicked; rather, it was the actions of unfaithful men that drove them to seek solace and companionship elsewhere.
The song’s lyrics, penned by J.D. Miller, were revolutionary for their time. Lines like “Too many times married men think they’re still single / That has caused many a good girl to go wrong” directly challenged the prevailing double standard and placed accountability where it belonged. This bold stance resonated deeply with female listeners who had long endured societal blame for the failings of their male counterparts.
The impact of “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was immediate and profound. The song shot to the top of the country charts, becoming the first No. 1 hit for a female solo artist. More importantly, it opened the floodgates for other women in country music, paving the way for artists like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton, who would further challenge stereotypes and expand the boundaries of the genre.
Beyond its musical merits, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” stands as a cultural touchstone, a testament to the enduring power of music to challenge norms and spark social change. It’s a song that continues to inspire and empower, reminding us that even in the face of societal pressure, women have the right to speak their truth and demand equality.
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Lyrics
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playing
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are saying
It brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women
It’s not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that’s ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
