Don Williams, Singer of Plain-Spoken Country Songs, Dies at 78 - The New York Times

About the Song

Don Williams, the legendary “Gentle Giant” of country music, has a knack for delivering heartfelt and relatable songs that touch the soul. “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,” released in 1981, is one such gem that resonates with listeners of all walks of life.

The song opens with a simple prayer, expressing the singer’s hope for a positive and fulfilling day. Williams’ warm and soothing vocals, coupled with the gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, create a sense of peace and tranquility.

The lyrics delve into themes of gratitude, faith, and the importance of human connection. Williams sings about the simple joys of life, such as spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, and appreciating the beauty of the world around us.

“Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” is a reminder to cherish the little things in life and to find joy in the present moment. It’s a message of hope and optimism, reminding us that even in the midst of life’s challenges, there is always something to be grateful for.

This timeless classic has become a favorite among fans of country music and continues to inspire and uplift listeners around the world. It’s a testament to Williams’ talent as a songwriter and performer, and a reminder of the power of music to connect with people on a deep and emotional level.

Here are some key points about the song:

  • Release: November 1981
  • Album: Especially for You
  • Writer: Dave Hanner
  • Genre: Country music
  • Peak chart position: No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart
  • Awards: Academy of Country Music Single Record of the Year (1982)

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Lyrics: Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good 

Lord, I hope this day is good
I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is goodLord, have you forgotten me
I’ve been prayin’ to you faithfully
I’m not sayin’ I’m a righteous man
But Lord I hope you understandI don’t need fortune and I don’t need fame
Send down the thunder, Lord, send down the rain
But when you’re plannin’ just how it will be
Plan a good day for me

Lord, I hope this day is good
I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is good

You’ve been the King since the dawn of time
All that I’m askin’ is a little less cryin’
It might be hard for the devil to do
But it would be easy for you

Lord, I hope this day is good
I’m feelin’ empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful, Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is good

 

You Missed

The argument in the studio lasted for days, with a producer demanding a funeral on record and a singer who was already living his own slow fade insisting the song was a commercial suicide. By 1980, the man they called No-Show Jones was more myth than musician. His life off-stage was a wreckage of cocaine and broken contracts, and his voice, though still legendary, seemed to be running out of places to hide. When producer Billy Sherrill brought him “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Jones fought it. He hated the pacing, argued over the melody, and kept trying to turn the ballad into a slow-moving mimicry of a Kristofferson tune. He didn’t want to sing about a man who only finds peace in the grave, mostly because the darkness in the song felt too much like his own. Sherrill refused to back down. He kept the writers, Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, in a loop of rewrites, demanding they push the funeral imagery further, dragging the listener through every ounce of the protagonist’s refusal to let go. In the studio, the atmosphere was thick with friction. Jones wasn’t just performing a character; he was wrestling with a mirror. It was a slow, agonizing process of bargaining that finally broke when Jones delivered a vocal that felt like a confession. The final take caught the exact moment where pain stops being a performance. The strings swelled, the steel guitar moaned in the background, and the reality of the record landed with a heavy, final quiet. It was not a polished hit; it was a scar captured on tape.