With more than seventy million records sold, Hank Snow is definitely one of country music’s biggest stars and the most successful country singer to come out of Canada. Hank Snow songs featured his rich, flawless baritone voice that beautifully blended with his hard-driving, deep-picking guitar style.
He left behind a body of recorded work – that’s about over 800 commercial recordings, making it one of the biggest discographies in the music business – that’s rarely been matched and is not likely to be by any of the current stars. And today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best ones. Here are Hank Snow‘s greatest hits in no particular order.
1. I’m Moving On
This country standard has been one of Snow’s most recorded tunes. According to the legend, he proposed the song – which he wrote five years earlier – for his first session for RCA Records; however, he was turned down flat. Two years later, with his Opry status hanging in the balance, Snow was successful in trying to get his label interested with “I’m Moving On.”
Indeed, he was right! The song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
2. I Went to Your Wedding
Snow released a country version of “I Went to Your Wedding,” which tells the story of a man who attended his ex-lover’s wedding. Apparently, he’s still in love with her as Snow sings, “You came down the aisle, wearing a smile, a vision of loveliness.”
The best-known versions of the song have been sung by female artists, including Patti Page, who had the biggest hit!
3. (Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I
Written by Bill Trader, the song has been recorded and released several times by different notable artists – including Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. Snow’s version peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
4. Hello Love
Indeed, falling in love is much sweeter the second time around. The song tells the story of two people in love getting back together. While some may think there’s no longer hope after a painful breakup, oftentimes, it can bring out the best in us.
“Hello Love” is Snow’s final No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and was his first No. 1 in twelve years. Snow, who was nearing his 60th birthday at the time, made the record of being the oldest singer to have a No. 1 on the said chart.
5. The Seashores of Old Mexico
Written by Merle Haggard, the song tells the story of a young fugitive in Tucson, Arizona. He packed up all his stuff and moved to Mexico, hoping that there would be a better life for him in the country. Indeed, despite encountering some obstacles, his fortune brought him to one of Mexico’s beach towns, where he found love and lived the rest of his life.
6. The Name of the Game Was Love
You can make a tongue-twister out of Snow’s earlier hit, which is about a man who found an old address book. There, all the girls he used to date were listed. He then started reciting all these girls’ names.
7. Let Me Go, Lover!
The song was based on the 1953 song “Let Me Go, Devil,” which was inspired by Hank Williams’ battle with alcoholism that caused his death. It first gained popularity when Joan Weber’s version was featured on the CBS American anthology drama television series, Studio One, in 1954.
A year later, Snow released his version, which went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
8. Old Shep
When Red Foley wrote a song about a dog he owned as a child, it turned into a country classic. “Old Shep” is about Foley’s German shepherd, whose name was Hoover, and was sadly poisoned by a neighbor. Foley first recorded the song in 1935, and several notable artists followed. In addition to Snow, other artists who covered the song are Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
9. The Golden Rocket
This is one of Snow’s biggest hits which was the follow-up release to “I’m Movin’ On.” The song actually spent two weeks on the Country & Western Best Seller list.
10. The Rhumba Boogie
Written by Snow himself, The Rhumba Boogie was his third No. 1 in a row on the Country & Western Best Seller chart. Remarkably, it stayed on top of the chart for eight weeks.
Some More Hank Snow Songs From His Vast Catalog
From railroad songs and cowboy songs to pop standards, Hank Snow got you covered. Here are some of his hits that you need to check out.
How about you? What are your favorite Hank Snow songs?
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