The Last Letter

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"The Last Letter"
File:Rex Griffin - The Last Letter.jpg
Single by Rex Griffin
B-side "Over the River"
Released June 1937
Format 10" single (Decca-5383)
Recorded May 13, 1937
Genre Country
Length 3:03
Label Decca
Writer(s) Rex Griffin

"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin

A standard of country music, the tune was covered by diverse acts. Jimmie Davis' 1939 version became a hit, while it was covered by diverse country acts.

Writing and original recording

In 1937, singer-songwriter Rex Griffin wrote "The Last Letter" while he was living in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] He was inspired to write the song after he was left by his wife.[2] The lyrics told the story of a suicide letter,[3] written by an older man directed to a younger woman.[4] It described his bitterness, and pain for the end of their romance.[2]

Griffin recorded "The Last Letter" during a New York session on May 13, 1937.[1] The single, backed with "Over the River" on the flipside was released the same year on Decca Records. Despite that "The Last Letter" turned into a hit, the poor sales of Griffin caused his dismissal by the label.[5] The song became later considered a standard of Country music.[6]

Cover versions

Country singer Jimmie Davis recorded the song again in 1939, turning it again into a hit.[2] It was covered as well by The Blue Sky Boys and The Carter Family.[7]

In 1963, Ernest Tubb recorded a cover version for his Rex Griffin tribute album Just Call Me Lonesome. The song was recorded at Bradley's Barn Studio on April 19, 1962, produced by Owen Bradley[8] Tubb, who was influenced by Griffin, had originally learned the song and others by Griffin that he would often perform. Both singers toured together, remaining friend until Griffin's death in 1958.[9] The same year, Willie Nelson recorded the song. RCA Records released the song as the flipside of the single "Half a Man".[10]

The following year, Jack Greene released his version of the song on the album Ernest Tubb Presents the Texas Troubadours, becoming after its success a solo act.[11] "The Last Letter" was also covered by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell.[5]

Bob Dylan's To Ramona is a nod to Rex Griffin and his song The Last Letter.

Footnotes

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pugh, Ronnie 1988, p. 74.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wolff, Kurt 2000, p. 118.
  3. ↑ Tosches, Nick 2009, p. 63.
  4. ↑ Escott, Colin; Merritt, George; MacEwen, William 1994, p. 38.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra Chris 2003, p. 297.
  6. ↑ Sachs, Bill 1958, p. 6.
  7. ↑ Larkin, Collin 1998, p. 177.
  8. ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 275, 404-405.
  9. ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 74-75.
  10. ↑ Billboard staff 1963, p. 24.
  11. ↑ Pugh, Ronnie 1998, p. 275.
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