Introduction

In the realm of classic country ballads, “Don’t Take It Away” by Conway Twitty stands as a timeless testament to love and loss. Released in 1979, this soul-stirring melody continues to resonate with listeners, evoking a range of emotions with its poignant lyrics and heartfelt delivery.Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins) | Sun Records

Did You Know?

1. Origin:

“Don’t Take It Away” was penned by legendary songwriter Troy Seals and country music artist Max D. Barnes. The song was featured on Conway Twitty’s album of the same name, released in 1979, and quickly became one of his signature hits.

2. Chart Success:

Upon its release, “Don’t Take It Away” soared to the top of the country music charts, earning Twitty yet another #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Its raw emotion and relatable themes struck a chord with audiences, solidifying its place as a classic in Twitty’s repertoire.

3. Conway Twitty:

Conway Twitty, born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was a revered figure in the world of country music. With his distinctive voice and ability to convey heartfelt emotion, Twitty captivated audiences for decades, earning him a place among the genre’s most iconic artists.

4. Legacy:

“Don’t Take It Away” remains a standout track in Conway Twitty’s extensive catalog, serving as a poignant reminder of his enduring influence on country music. Its themes of heartache and longing continue to resonate with fans, ensuring Twitty’s legacy lives on for generations to come.

5. Cultural Impact:

Beyond its chart success, “Don’t Take It Away” has left an indelible mark on the fabric of country music. The song has been covered by various artists and remains a staple on country radio, cementing its status as a timeless classic in the genre.Conway Twitty (@ConwayTwitty) / X

 

Video

Lyrics: Don’t Take It Away

I been lookin’ for you all night long, darlin’
You’ve got to talk to me
I wanna tell you how wrong I’ve been
And I won’t do it again
You know that woman didn’t mean a thing to me

I hope I don’t embarrass you too much
Here in front of all your friends
I’m gonna get down on my knees

Please let me make it
Please I can’t give you up
‘Cause you’ve made love
So good for me so long

Don’t take it away
‘Cause love don’t come easy
Darlin’, I’m sorry
I stepped over the line

Don’t take it away
Don’t make me go crazy
‘Cause I would follow you
To the ends of my mind

From now on, I’m gonna be the kind of man
That you can lean on
And when the waters of life
Get a little too rough or a little too deep
I’m gonna be your stepping stone

And, oh, I remember all those nights
That you used to take right a hold of me
And you’d hold on

Please let me make it
Please I can’t give you up
‘Cause you’ve made love
So good for me so long

Don’t take it away
‘Cause love don’t come easy
Darlin’, I’m sorry
I stepped over the line

Don’t take it away
Don’t make me go crazy
‘Cause I would follow you
To the ends of my mind

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JERRY JEFF WALKER SPENT A NIGHT IN A NEW ORLEANS JAIL CELL WITH A BROKEN DANCER — AND TURNED HIS UNKNOWN STORY INTO AN AMERICAN MASTERPIECE.Back in 1965, Jerry Jeff Walker was still a drifting troubadour—having skipped out on the National Guard, changed his name, and hitchhiked across the country with a guitar. Then a night out in New Orleans went sideways, landing him locked up for public intoxication in the First Precinct jail.Inside that tank was an older Black man with silver hair and worn-out shoes, swept up by police during a local sweep. When the cops demanded his name, he kept his mouth shut, saying only that folks called him “Bojangles.” As the hours dragged on, the men in the cell started swapping talk. The old man spun stories of minstrel shows, endless miles on the road, and a beloved dog that had long since passed.At one point, the jailer barked an order for him to dance. The old man stood up and cut a soft-shoe right there on the concrete floor, jumping high among a room full of drunks before sinking back down to quietly speak of his dog—the one memory that made the whole room go dead silent.Jerry Jeff never forgot it. A few years later, he bottled that single night into “Mr. Bojangles.” When the song dropped in 1968, it became a phenomenon. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band rode it into the Top 10, while icons like Nina Simone, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bob Dylan made it their own.More than a hundred artists would eventually record it, carrying the ghost of a nameless old dancer out of a New Orleans lockup and straight into the history books.