Today’s post was written by Paul.
A few weeks ago I uploaded a song in honor of Charlie Louvin’s birthday.
Although most duets seem to have one member who is stronger as a vocalist than the other, Ira and Charlie were completely equal in creating the best brother harmony in the history of country music.
Many listeners don’t realize that Charlie sang harmony on several of their songs, while Ira sang high lead. That’s because Charlie was exceptionally good at making the harmony sound like lead, and the result comes out sounding much the same as when Charlie sang lead and Ira sang tenor.
David Allen Coe’s son, Tyler Coe, has a very popular, well-researched podcast about country music called “Cocaine and Rhinestones.” The name may be off-putting, but this podcast provides some really interesting insight into many classic country musicians, including the Louvins.
If you’re a Louvin fan, you should check out that particular episode. In it, Coe creates excellent, highly scientific analysis of their harmony that I greatly enjoyed. However, while analyzing one of their songs (Born Again), he talks about Ira’s superb harmony, not realizing that in that particular song, Ira is in fact singing high lead, not harmony.
Anyway, enough about that. I’m just trying to say that Charlie was equally important in the harmony that they created, both when he sang lead and when he sang harmony. Charlie’s birthday was 7-7-27. Maybe he was such a great singer because he had all those lucky 7’s in his birthday.
Charlie was my musical hero (when it came to lead singing) for most of my life. He can never be imitated because, unlike Haggard, Jones, or Robbins, he really didn’t have a set, distinct style per se that you can pick up on. He’s just singing very melodically with a lot of feeling and with a voice that’s unique to him.
As I’ve mentioned before, I was fortunate enough to spend time with Charlie on several occasions, and he didn’t let me down! What I mean by “didn’t let me down” is there’s an old saying, “never meet your heroes” (because they’ll disappoint you in person). Charlie did not disappoint. He was just like any other person. He didn’t “put on airs,” as we say in the south.
I debated a little with myself about which song to do in honor of his birthday, and I settled on this “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” which was his first hit (and possibly first release) as a solo artist. I believe one of our subscribers actually requested this song years ago, but I didn’t try it because I was a little afraid of it.
There are many other great ones to choose from, so Lord willing, I can upload one of his songs annually on his birthday for many years to come.
The hardest part of doing this song is making the guitar runs, and that’s what made me reluctant to try it in the past. But anyone who has heard the runs in the original, knows that the song wouldn’t be the same without them. It just wouldn’t work without them. If you haven’t heard it before, just search YouTube for the original, and you should be able to check it out.
I hope you enjoyed Paul’s post and the song!
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So well done, and that statement ”He’s just singing very melodically with a lot of feeling and with a voice unique to him” a wonderful way for anybody to sing .
PRECIOUS
CHARLIE
WOULD BE SO
DELIGHTED IN
PAUL’S COVER!!
I LOVED THE
BROTHERS LOUVIN
BIG TIME AND
WHAT A THRILL
TO HAVE PAUL
CARRY ONE OF
THEIR TORCHES!!
YE~HAAAAW!!
a great post as usual your a very talented family have a great week and stay safe
I just commented on Coe….was talking about D.A…..
Coe and I got to Nashville about the same time and hung out at the same guitar pullin’s and other places….he definitely was a different individual….
I haven’t heard that song in a long while. You did a wonderful job with it, Paul. I played it again and put a bass line with it with the upright bass. Wonderful song.
Enjoyed the post and Paul’s version. A great old country song. I’m always interested in info on country musicians and their songs. Y’all have a blessed Sunday.
Tipper,
This song ran through my head so many times yesterday. Lo and behold, today Paul was singing it and I add doing a fantastic job.
The reason I was thinking about it was my thoughts of people being in love and as they progress through
life, they grow apart. I could hear the sad words, “As she walked out the door and said I don’t love you anymore, or
as he walked out the door and said I don’t love you anymore.” The consequences aren’t nearly as troubling if love dies on both sides.
This song reminded me of the one George Jones sang, “He Stopped Lovin Her Today” because the theme of someone’s undying love for another.
Tipper,
and Paul,
I love the tribute you gave Charlie Louvin on his birthday. Youn’ze talked about the Louvin Brothers so much, including Pap, made me a fan of their’s too.
When Joe Willie Namouth led the Jets to victory over the Colts in 69 or 70, I became a fan of the Jets of New York. That was in Super Bowl 3, and I’ve been a Fan ever since. It’s been a long time and Joe makes Commercials about Medicare today.
After Joe had many Surgeries on his knees from Injuries, the Jets traded him to the Rams of California, I was working in
Atlanta then and me and Paula (was my wife at the time), but Joe threw Passes that His receivers never caught , because they were Jealous of his Popularity. Me and my wife were the only fans of the Rams, among 55,000 people. …Ken
I’ve been really busy this week and am just now catching up with your posts. To all those people missing yellow jackets: Don’t fret, they’re into my apples. Any apple with a bad spot or where a bird pecked an opening is filled with them. They are also intimidating the humming birds at the feeders. We have enough apples in the freezer for the winter and are now drying some so the yellow jackets will get well fed with those still on the trees and on the ground. Deer, rabbits, birds and insects are also getting their fill.
Sounded good to me. Catchy turn of phrase, kinda a hallmark of country music seems to me. Glad to hear that Charlie never let success go to his head and he didn’t disappoint you. People who have their lives centered somewhere but in themselves can do that.
Great job, Paul. I sought out and listened to Charlie’s version. While I enjoyed both vocals, I really liked your strictly acoustical accompaniment far better. I wouldn’t have recognized the importance of the runs had I not heard you.
Unrelated – I’ve now watched it at regular and full-screen size and I can’t figure out what that brown and tan thing over your right shoulder is. It looks like a mink coat, but that doesn’t quite seem to fit your dress style;-)
Hi, Don.
After watching the first few seconds again, I can see why that perplexed you. It’s actually just part of the plush throw blanket that’s on the back of the couch. It has a giant image of a wolf on it. That brown part is just the “fur” of the wolf that’s bunched up. Mom got it for me years ago after I had an interesting, positive encounter with a large coyote. She also bought me a large area rug with wolves on it, a painting with wolves, and even a salt and pepper shaker set with wolves. 🙂 I guess you could say she had a theme going. I’m not that into wolves, but I like the blanket and other stuff, so I held on to them. Probably more than you wanted to know, but now you can stop wondering and know that it wasn’t a fur coat. 🙂
That was beautiful. I just heard this song for the first time last weekend, and loved the play with words, and the melody. Thanks so much, Paul. Excellent rendition.
As usual, Paul sang and played a fantastic song! I had heard this but didn’t know who sung it so that was interesting to learn. I liked the riff right before “ trouble is.” Classics are classics for they don’t go out of style. Today’s country music is quite frankly mostly terrible- drinking, partying, carnal relations are not areas to brag it up or croon about. Smh
I don’t know how long it has been since I heard that song but I loved it long ago and don’t love it any less today. Great job Paul.