On This Day in 1955, George Jones Recorded His First Hit Single “Why Baby Why”

On this day (August 27) in 1955, George Jones stepped into the Gold Star studio in Houston, Texas to record “Why Baby Why” for Starday Records. After five singles that failed to chart, “Why Baby Why” became Jones’ first hit on the Billboard country singles chart.

Today, fans and critics alike hail Jones as the greatest country singer to ever walk the earth. However, that is not a new title bestowed upon the late singer/songwriter. A bygone generation of critics and fans laid that heavy crown on his head sometime in the ‘60s. Since then, Jones has influenced and inspired generations of artists.

[RELATED: 3 Hit Country Songs That George Jones Did First (And Better)]

George Jones Notches an Early Hit with “Why Baby Why”

George Jones released a handful of singles that failed to chart. He made his debut with “No Money in This Deal” in February 1954. Then, he followed that with “Play It Cool, Man,” “Let Him Know,” and “You All Goodnight” throughout the year. The next year, he released “Hold Everything.” Then, in the late summer of 1955.

Penned by Jones and his frequent collaborator Darrell Edwards, “Why Baby Why” went to No. 4 on the Billboard country chart. While he was still three years away from finding his first No. 1 single with “White Lighting,” this song helped to put Jones on the map.

The arrangement and lyrics of “Why Baby Why” create an interesting and timeless juxtaposition. The arrangement is somewhere between a classic honky tonk song and a Cajun dance tune. At the same time, it is a cheating song from the perspective of the jilted lover.

“Why Baby Why” and his other previously-released singles would go on to make up nearly half of Jones’ 1956 debut album Grand Ole Opry’s New Star, which dropped in November, just months after he was officially inducted into the Opry.

“Why Baby Why” Is a Country Standard

This song is notable not only because it was George Jones’ first hit single. More importantly, it is an early example of the Texas native’s staying power and a piece of the legacy he left behind. After he released the song, Red Sovine and Webb Pierce covered it. Their duet version of the song went to No. 1 in the early days of 1956, climbing the final rungs of the chart over the Christmas holiday.

Later, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, Patty Loveless, and many more would go on to release covers of the song.

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