“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty Wells is one of the most groundbreaking songs in country music history, both for its message and the impact it had on women in the genre. Released in 1952, the song became the first number one hit on the Billboard country charts by a solo female artist, cementing Kitty Wells as a trailblazer in country music. It’s a powerful response to Hank Thompson’s hit “The Wild Side of Life,” which blamed unfaithful women for leading men astray. Wells’ song flips the script, defending women against the unfair judgment placed on them and pointing the finger back at men.
At its core, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” is a sharp, direct critique of the double standards women face. Wells challenges the idea that women are to blame for marital problems and infidelity, making the case that men’s unfaithfulness and mistreatment often drive women to seek solace elsewhere. The line, “It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women,” captures the frustration of women who have been unfairly judged for behavior that men are often excused for.
What made Kitty Wells’ delivery so powerful was her soft, sweet voice, which contrasted sharply with the biting message of the lyrics. Her vocals weren’t angry or defiant in tone; instead, they were sorrowful and filled with quiet conviction, which gave the song an air of authenticity and dignity. This subtlety made the song even more effective, as it didn’t come across as an aggressive attack, but rather as a heartfelt plea for understanding and fairness.
The song’s success and significance can’t be overstated. At a time when the country music scene was dominated by men, Wells broke through with a message that challenged the norms and gave a voice to women who felt silenced. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” wasn’t just a hit; it was a statement. It showed that women in country music could speak out about their own experiences and perspectives, and that their voices mattered.
In terms of the song’s musicality, it fits squarely within the traditional country style of the early 1950s. The steel guitar, a hallmark of the honky-tonk sound, underpins the track, giving it that familiar, mournful twang that complements Wells’ lament. The arrangement is simple, allowing the focus to remain on the lyrics and Wells’ understated, yet emotionally resonant, vocal performance. This was crucial in letting the message shine through without distraction.
The lyrics of the song are particularly notable for how they directly respond to “The Wild Side of Life.” Thompson’s song had lamented that men fall victim to “honky-tonk angels”—women who lead them astray. Wells counters this narrative by suggesting that it’s the way men treat women that pushes them into honky-tonk bars in the first place. She sings, “Too many times married men think they’re still single / That has caused many a good girl to go wrong.” This line flips the blame onto the men, highlighting the hypocrisy of holding women to a different standard.
The cultural impact of “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was profound. In the 1950s, America was still a deeply conservative society, and women were often expected to conform to strict standards of behavior, particularly in the realm of marriage and relationships. Wells’ song was one of the first in mainstream country music to openly question those standards, suggesting that women were not inherently sinful or immoral just because they frequented honky-tonk bars or had complicated relationships. It was a bold message, and it resonated with countless women who had felt judged or marginalized.
Beyond its feminist message, the song also opened the door for other female country artists to find success and have their voices heard. Before Wells, women in country music were often relegated to singing sweet, traditional songs about love and heartbreak, but rarely did they challenge societal norms or make statements about gender roles. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” showed that there was a market for songs that spoke to the real experiences and struggles of women, and it paved the way for future female country stars like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton.
In conclusion, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” stands as a landmark in country music history. Kitty Wells’ soft but assertive performance, paired with the song’s bold message, made it a breakthrough moment for women in country music. The song’s critique of gender double standards was revolutionary for its time, and its success showed that there was a hunger for more honest and complex portrayals of women’s lives in country music. Its legacy lives on today as one of the most important feminist anthems in the genre, and its influence on the evolution of country music cannot be understated.
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
As I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playing
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are saying
It brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women
It’s not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that’s ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrongAs I sit here tonight, the jukebox’s playing
The tune about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words you are saying
It brings mem’ries when I was a trusting wife
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong
It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women
It’s not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that’s ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was’t God who made honky-tonk angels
As you said in the words of your song
Too many times married men think they’re still single
That has caused many a good girl to go wrong