Today’s post was written by Paul.
I took advantage of the snowy backdrop to try the old Johnny Horton song “When It’s Spring Time in Alaska.”
Pap saw Horton perform in a grocery store parking lot in California in the late 50’s. He said that Horton and his band stood on an open trailer parked behind a big truck. I once looked through the doors of the Red Dog Saloon, but it was in Juno, not Fairbanks. 🙂
Perhaps because he died so young (only 35), I don’t seem to hear much about Johnny Horton as one of the best vocalists in country music, but I strongly believe that he was. He could masterfully sing everything from gentle love ballads, to honky tonk, to rockabilly. His vocal range was immense, and he always aced the high parts and low parts.
If you’re not familiar with his music, you owe it to yourself to check out songs like “All for the Love of a Girl,” “North to Alaska,” “Sink the Bismarck,” and many more. Horton may be one of very few classic country performers to be born in Los Angeles; however, he grew up in Texas. He was very popular for narrative songs, many of them focused on Alaska and presented with a slight touch of humor (like this one).
Horton’s bass player, Tillman Franks wrote “When It’s Springtime in Alaska.” Back then, when you had success with something, you kept trying to hit that same mark by doing similar material. Because of this, it’s almost like Horton became the Jack London of country music, with so much of his music focused on Alaska. His masterpiece “North to Alaska” was made into a movie, staring John Wayne. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, Dwight Yoakam revived attention on Horton by covering “I’m a Honky Tonk Man” and “North to Alaska.”
Horton died in an automobile collision in 1960. He was in a 1959 Fleetwood Cadillac. I once mistakenly believed large, classic cars to be safer than modern cars because of their size and rigidity. I since learned that rigidity can actually kill you by imparting all of the force of the crash to the occupants of the vehicle.
Modern cars crumple up, almost like paper wads, thereby absorbing the force of the crash before it reaches the occupants. It’s the same idea as those science competitions where kids drop eggs (inside protective paper containers) off buildings. The winner is the one whose container can absorb the most force and keep the egg from breaking.
Today, many people survive head-on collisions, but in the 50’s and 60’s very few did. I believe Horton was driving, while his manager, bass player, and guitarist rode as passengers. Horton was not at fault in the accident. A drunk driver struck him on the Little River Bridge on Hwy 79 in Milano, Texas. There are several interesting details concerning the crash, including that Horton’s last words were to his bass player (Tillman Franks): “You know, Tillman, the Lord has been mighty good to me this year.” Horton was still alive when the ambulance arrived but died on the way to the hospital.
Johnny had his biggest hit in 1959 with his cover of Jimmy Driftwood’s “The Battle of New Orleans.” Driftwood was a history teacher in Arkansas, which might explain him writing about Andrew Jackson leading a rag tag crew against the British.
Horton hit number 1 on both the US country and pop charts with “Battle of New Orleans.” I heard Ralph Emery say that he warned Horton that his cover of the song would not be popular because he had omitted the curse word, “hell.” Emery believed that it was the curse word that made Driftwood’s song popular with American teenagers. Of course, Emery turned out to be wrong. Ironically, Horton’s cover was banned in Great Britain because of the word “bloody,” proving that curse words can sometimes be subjective.
Horton’s cover still reached number 16 on the British charts, despite being banned and portraying British soldiers as cowardly. The lyrics to “Springtime in Alaska” are below.
I mushed from Port Bear through a blizzard of snow, Been out prospecting for two years or so. Pulled into Fairbanks. The city was a boom, So I took a little stroll to the Red Dog Saloon.
As I walked in the door, the music was clear, The prettiest voice I had heard in two years. The song she was singin’ made a man’s blood run cold: ‘When it’s springtime in Alaska, it’s forty below.’
It was red headed Lil who was singin’ so sweet. I reached down and took the snowpacks off my feet. I reached for the gal who was singin’ the tune. We did the Eskimo hop all around the saloon.
With the caribou crawl and the grizzly bear hug, We did our dance on a Kodiak rug. The song she kept singing made a man’s blood run cold: “When it’s springtime in Alaska it’s forty below.’
I was as innocent as I could be. I didn’t know Lil was big Ed’s wife to be. He took out his knife and he gave it a throw. When it’s springtime in Alaska, I’ll be six feet below.
Hope you enjoyed the history and the song!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Thank you Paul. I love Johnny Horton. Grow up listening to him. My Dad yodeled. So he played country music all the the time.
Have you heard of Kenny Roberts? My Dad would practice while listening to him. It brings tears when I listen to this one ( I was born to Yodel). It sounds exactly like my Dad. He was really really good……. We played “Cattle Call” at his funeral……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SYHC3-CsjU.
Thank you for this post, my dad was a huge Johnny Horton fan and passed it on to me, I’ve collected a lot of his music over the years. I can remember going into a local store and they had a few records. The man behind the counter told me Johnny had died and I was devastated at 7 years old. I lost my dad many years ago but I always think of him when I play one of Johnny’s songs. Being a history buff, I loved his historical tunes but as you mentioned, he could sing rockabilly to a ballad. “The Mansion You Stole” is another favorite.
I have this album and must listen to it again after reading your great history of this song.
love it… it so reminds me of North to Alaska..had it on a 45 don’t recall what was on the other side…but I played it to death..lol…
I remember reading about Horton’s death but didn’t note where it happened. I didn’t know that one day I’d live only a few miles from where he died.
The only vehicle I ever totalled in a crash was just South of Milano in a black ice storm. I hit a patch of it going too fast, swapped ends, slid onto the embankment and rolled a Ford Explorer twice with it landing on its wheels. That was more than 25 years ago but seems like last week. I had a sore left arm from gripping the steering wheel so hard and a few minor scratches from broken glass. That happened about a mile and half from where Horton died.
My brothers and I had a Johnny Horton album with a lot of “story songs”
related to American history when we were kids. I used to sing his songs
a lot and remember being invited up to a fellow’s mountain top cabin in Madison
County, North Carolina and singing a lot of Johnny’s songs before we all got
sleepy and went to bed. I really believe that singing Horton’s “Whispering Pines”
the night before at the Depot in Marshall (unfortunately no longer with us due
to Hurricane Helene) is what got me the invite. Horton today is vastly underappreciated
but back in the day before his tragic death he was BIG. He could not only sing a song,
he could write a song very well. And though he didn’t write it, one of the greatest
punch lines in any country song has got to be “When it’s springtime in Alaska, it’s forty
below.”
The very site of the album cover brings such memories, once had that record and practically wore it out in the early 60’s when in high school. My favorite was “North to Alaska” This Makes me want to go on a search among the thrift shops here that have old records, just for the cover! Thanks for the memory and for the wonderful way you express the music.
WVa transplant to California
This takes me back in time to younger years – Johnny Horton was popular back then – thanks for the memories Paul.
Thank you, Paul. I look forward to hearing about the history of the song you are doing as well as your singing. Great job as always! Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Paul, you did a great job on that song and should do more of Horton’s hits. Thank you for sharing the history of one of my all-time favorite singers, Johnny, who shares the #1 spot with Bobby Hatfield. I have read many stories about Johnny’s belief in the supernatural and how he predicted his death. His biography is hard to find and unaffordable if it can be found at all.
what a great story Paul. Good singing too. I wonder what and all he would have done and gone with his music. I’d say pretty far. I once knew of a Red Dog Saloon off Kingsport Hwy Tn. So happens the man that bought it, got saved and turned it into a church. Victory”s Church. We went there to a Revival. The Lord works in mysterious ways .
I was a youngster when i got the news of Johnny’s death, couldn’t believe it. “All For The Love of a Girl” was one of my favorites and there’s never been another “Springtime is Alaska”; what set that off was the indescribably beautiful suprano background vocals. And the banjo was perfect.
Good story!
I loved this song as a kid and it’s good to hear it again (and you play a banjo, no less!). Also, equating him to a country music equivalent of Jack London is right on the mark. I really enjoyed this.
One tiny correction. I haven’t actually checked, but feel pretty certain that it’s Port Barrow rather than Port Bear.
In the lyrics it is Port Barren!
I vote for Point Barrow. (Old eitors never die.)
Always enjoy hearing the background and history you share with us about these songs. “The Battle of New Orleans” is one of my favorites of Johnny Horton’s.
That must have been a real treat for your Daddy to have heard Johnny Horton in person. North to Alaska is my most favorite of his. My husband has been to Alaska a few times ,a couple times being deployments that were much desirable than the others.I have never been there but have always wanted to ,especially since my Daddy was there during WW II helping build the Alaska Highway. That was awhile before he met our mother. The Battle of New Orleans is too fun a song lol,repeating in your mind after listening to it . We are enjoying the history of the songs,singers and writers.
Paul, sorry to say again my comment was deleted. Has I sent it I saw it said spam deleted. I actually had my VPN off. I turned it back on and am going to see if this comment goes through. I would love to write it over again. Unfortunately I am getting ready to leave. God bless you and have a great day. I’m going to see if this works. Esme’ your narrative always makes my day! You are very gifted! God has given you many talents. I hope you never stop using them. That is what the basis of my narrative was about, you and your special gifts given to you from God. God bless you! Happy Sunday!! This is the day the Lord has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad!♥️ Esme’
When I was about 13 or 14 in the early seventies I listened to a classic radio station that played a lot of Johnny Horton. I had a huge crush on him and didn’t even know until years later that he had died just after I was born. You did a great job on this song! I enjoyed it a lot.
I heard “The Battle of New Orleans” as a youngen. I liked Horton then and still do today. He was a talented young man.
One of my favorites is ” Ol’ Slewfoot”
https://youtu.be/rmPvQBDFol4
Happy Sunday! That is some interesting information about Johnny Horton. I remember my dad play the song of The Battle of New Orleans. That albumin cover looks familiar too. I’m thinking my dad probably had it. He loved music and had lots of albums from the 50’s and 60’s. I sure miss my dad, he would have loved watching your videos or reading your post. Paul, you give such great information with backstories on songs and the artist who sang or wrote them. It reminds me of listening to my dad tell me about either the singers we were listening to, or about the actors on a movie we were watching. Thanks for sharing and bring back my own fond memories of my dad. I watched the video of you singing When it’s Spring Time in Alaska. You sang it beautifully and seeing all that snow in the background well that made it even better.
Thank you Paul. I’m always interested in the history behind anyone or anything. It’s a pleasure to hear you sing. Have a blessed day.
When I was a young girl, I got sick a lot and stayed home from school. My mother had the Johnny Horton LP and would put it on. I just loved listening to those songs about New Orleans, and Alaska. It was Horton’s storytelling that made me love those songs. Such a shame that he died so young.
good morning Paul, I enjoyed the song a lot, it reminded me of my father, he really enjoyed that song, I saw my dad cry listening to that song, it touched his heart in some way, and to see this, touched my heart, thank you for the memory Paul, God bless you very much
Paul, I really enjoyed this! The history and the music! So talented you are!
I remember listening to some of these songs and liking them. I like the snowy picture, to me the dark wood around the window almost makes it look like it is framed. Depending on which weatherman you believe after this morning of 26 degrees and a daytime high of 55 it has finally warmed up. One of them has forecast 40 degree nights and daytime temperature in the 60’s. The other ones forecast is for slightly cooler temps, but both are in agreement it is going to be a lot warmer. These old bones are shouting for joy! I am very grateful and joyful to have made it through this cold January without having any problems with my heat and water.