George Jones

About the Song

George Jones, the undisputed Possum of country music, has a vast repertoire of hits. Among them, “White Lightning” stands out as a classic. Released in 1959, this song marked a turning point in Jones’ career, propelling him to stardom.

With its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics, “White Lightning” is a departure from the traditional country ballads Jones is often associated with. The song tells a humorous tale of moonshine and the thrill of the chase, showcasing a different side of the singer’s talent. Jones’ distinctive vocal style, filled with twang and emotion, perfectly captures the song’s energetic spirit.

Beyond the catchy melody and witty lyrics, “White Lightning” also serves as a testament to Jones’ versatility as an artist. It’s a reminder that even the most traditional country singers can experiment with different sounds and styles while maintaining their core appeal.

While not a deep or emotional track like some of Jones’ other hits, “White Lightning” is undeniably a crowd-pleaser. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s ability to entertain and uplift listeners.The one and only, George Jones – Field Trip South

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Lyrics: White Lightning

Well in North Carolina way back in the hills me and my old pappy and he had him a still
He brewed white lightnin till the sun went down
Then he’d fill up a jug and he’d pass it around
Mighty mighty pleasin my pappy’s corn squeezin (whew white lightnin)
Well the G men T men revenoers too searchin for the place where he made his brew
They were lookin tryin’ to book him but my pappy kept on cookin
(Whew white lightnin)Well I asked my old pappy why he called his brew
White lightnin stead of mountain dew
I took a little sip and right away I knew
And my eyes bugged out and my face turned blue
Light has started flashin thunder started krashin (whew white lightnin)
Well the G men T men…

Well a city slicker came and he said I’m tough
I think I want to taste that powerful stuff
He took one slug and he drank it right down I heard him moanin’ as he hit the ground
Mighty mighty pleasin you’r pappy’s corn squeezin (whew white lightnin)
Well the G men T men.

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MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?