Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Ray Price’s Career-making Hit “Crazy Arms”

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Ray Price is one of the well-known traditional country artists of his time. His breakout scene was during the ’50s alongside country legend Hank Williams.

This was also the first No. 1 hit song of the singer, and it helped him redefine the whole genre of honky-tonk sound. The song made it to the charts back in 1956 and was well-loved by country music fans. Let us look into the story of Ray Price and how the song came about.

ray price, crazy arms
via Screengrab from YouTube

Behind Ray Price’s Hit “Crazy Arms”

This country hit was not originally from the honky-tonk singer. Ralph Mooney was reportedly the one who penned this classic song. Ray Price was traveling around different states at that time because of his tour. One of the disc-jockeys, Bob Martin, was playing the song and Price heard it. He decided to record the song and then it topped the Billboard charts.

ray price, crazy
via Screengrab from YouTube

“Crazy Arms” was so popular that it spawned a lot of renditions from other country artists. Some of the notable names include Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry, the Andrews Sisters, Gram ParsonsPatsy ClineWaylon Jennings, Trini Lopez, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marie Osmond, and the Jerry Garcia Band.

Along with his other hits, Ray Price made a name for himself. He was then inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame back in 1996 for his contributions to the industry.

Lyrics Breakdown

The song is a typical country ballad where the man sings about his sorrow. He was left by the person that he loved and he felt bitter about it. The silver lining of the track is the readiness of the singer to find a better love.

When faced with a hard breakup, the best thing to do is learn to accept the fact and move on. It does not get better immediately but time will heal all wounds. The faster we find someone who really loves us, the better the chance of finding our real happiness.

Listen to the song here:

Latest Stories

How Alan Jackson's "Remember When" Became a Tribute to Love and Lifelong Memories

How Alan Jackson’s “Remember When” Became a Tribute to Love and Lifelong Memories

A few songs capture the essence of love, time, and life’s shared moments, such as Alan Jackson’s “Remember When.” Released in 2003, the song became an instant country classic, known ...

Eight-Year-Old Shines in Adorable Cover of "When You Say Nothing At All"

Eight-Year-Old Shines in Adorable Cover of “When You Say Nothing At All”

Country music has a special way of bringing people together, and sometimes, it’s the youngest voices that remind us just how powerful a song can be. Eight-year-old Alex Malone has ...

Three-Year-Old's Heartfelt Cover of "Angels Among Us" Melts Hearts Everywhere

Three-Year-Old’s Heartfelt Cover of “Angels Among Us” Melts Hearts Everywhere

Country music has a way of reaching across generations, connecting listeners of all ages through the power of its stories and melodies. But when a three-year-old child takes on a ...

How The Judds' Debut Album 'Why Not Me' Transformed Country Music Forever

How The Judds’ Debut Album ‘Why Not Me’ Transformed Country Music Forever

In the mid-1980s, country music was ripe for a fresh sound, and The Judds delivered just that when they released their debut album, Why Not Me, on October 15, 1984. ...

How the CMA, CMT, and ACM Awards Differ in Country Music's Biggest Celebrations

How the CMA, CMT, and ACM Awards Differ in Country Music’s Biggest Celebrations

Every year, three major award shows take the stage to celebrate the heart and soul of country music: the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, and CMT Music Awards. These nights are ...

The Story and Meaning Behind Jelly Roll’s Heartfelt Song “I Am Not Okay”

The Story and Meaning Behind Jelly Roll’s Heartfelt Song “I Am Not Okay”

Jelly Roll’s “I Am Not Okay” delivers a deeply personal message at a time when many people are quietly struggling with their mental health. Released in June 2024, the song ...

The Surprising Inspiration Behind Toby Keith's Hit "Should've Been a Cowboy"

The Surprising Inspiration Behind Toby Keith’s Hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”

One night in Dodge City, Kansas, Toby Keith found himself standing in a hotel bathroom, scribbling down lyrics in the dim light. It wasn’t exactly a scene you’d imagine for ...

Is "Harper Valley PTA" Based on Real Life? The Truth Behind Jeannie C. Riley's Hit

Is “Harper Valley PTA” Based on Real Life? The Truth Behind Jeannie C. Riley’s Hit

Jeannie C. Riley’s 1968 smash hit, “Harper Valley PTA,” has stood the test of time, captivating listeners with its bold lyrics about standing up to hypocrisy. The song tells the ...

67-Year-Old Jeannie C. Riley Sings "Harper Valley PTA" Like It's 1968

67-Year-Old Jeannie C. Riley Sings “Harper Valley PTA” Like It’s 1968

Jeannie C. Riley, a trailblazer in country music, continues to showcase her legendary talent decades after making history. In 2012, during a New Year’s Eve celebration, Riley reunited with Nashville ...

Who Is Amber Cochran Gilbert? Meet the Woman Behind Brantley Gilbert's Greatest Love Story

Who Is Amber Cochran Gilbert? Meet the Woman Behind Brantley Gilbert’s Greatest Love Story

October 11, 2024, was not a typical night for country star Brantley Gilbert. A backstage emergency pulled him off as he performed at Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi. His ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.