Terry Bradshaw’s Revival of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” Will Make You Emotional

American Football player turned country singer Terry Bradshaw delivers the heart-rending lyrics of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” with homely vocals that can pull your heartstrings. The song’s success made it his best-selling single, joining the renowned baseball player Mickey Mantle’s “I Love Mickey” as one of the two active professional athletes who charted at the Top 40 hits of the Billboard Hot 100 during their prime.

Right after winning his second consecutive Superbowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bradshaw released his first single, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and debuted his album with the same name in 1976. 

His smooth vocal rendition of the classic song reached No. 17 on the Billboard Country Chart and No. 91 on the Hot 100 the same year of its release. This led him to have guest appearances in the TV music series Pop! Goes the Country. 

From the Football Field to his Country Roots

Released in 1949, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” was a b-side to Hank Williams’ “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It,” peaked at No. 4 in Country Charts and ranked third on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time in 2014. William sang the record based on his experience of divorcing his wife, Audrey Shepperd. He uses imagery and simile to describe his loneliness such as comparing the robin weep to his loss of willingness to live, indicating that being separated from Audrey has led him to lose life’s purpose. 

Many artists have covered the song, and among them who matched the resonating sadness in Williams’ voice and lyrics was the high-profiled quarterback Terry Bradshaw. 

Bradshaw signed with Nashville’s Mercury Record and performed at country festive crowds during his NFL off-season. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, his background in choir singing led him to pursue his passion for country music, and decided to audition at the label with another Williams’ hit song, “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

Aside from covering Williams’ classics, his debut album featured his own covers of Roger Miller songs and other Western songs that made his remarkable entrance into the music industry.

Bradshaw’s sorrowful delivery and plangent vocals made it distinguishable from other covers, charming both his football and cowboy fans. 

Listen as Terry Bradshaw sings passionately to his own classic version of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” below.