San Antonio Rose

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Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

About San Antonio Rose

"New San Antonio Rose" (originally and often referred to as just "San Antonio Rose") was the signature song of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. "San Antonio Rose" was an instrumental song written by Bob Wills, who first recorded it with the Playboys on November 28, 1938. Band members added lyrics and it was retitled "New San Antonio Rose". A fresh recording was made on April 16, 1940 (Okeh 05694) with a vocal by Tommy Duncan. The song opens with the refrain: The song is written in the first person with the "Rose of San Antone" being the singer's lost love. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. 


Year:
1986
3:28
325 
#3

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Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although Spade Cooley self-promoted the moniker "King of Western Swing" from 1942 to 1969). He was also noted for punctuating his music with his trademark "ah-haa" calls.Wills formed several bands and played radio stations around the South and West until he formed the Texas Playboys in 1934 with Wills on fiddle, Tommy Duncan on piano and vocals, rhythm guitarist June Whalin, tenor banjoist Johnnie Lee Wills, and Kermit Whalin who played steel guitar and bass. Oklahoma guitar player Eldon Shamblin joined the band in 1937 bringing j… more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"San Antonio Rose" is a studio recording by American musician Bob Wills and his group, The Texas Playboys. This song is a representation of the western swing genre which combines elements of country, jazz, and swing.
Singers
The song was originally an instrumental piece. However, lyrics were added in 1940 by Tommy Duncan. He was the lead singer for Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and performed the vocals for the song.
Release Details
This hit was released in 1938 as an instrumental tune called "San Antonio". It was later re-released with lyrics by Tommy Duncan in 1940 and titled "New San Antonio Rose".
Popularity
"San Antonio Rose" was a hit song for Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and is undoubtedly one of their most recognized songs. It sold over a million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Music Awards
In 1965, the song received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It's an award given by The Recording Academy to "honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance".
Cover Versions
The song's popularity led to multiple cover versions by well-known artists such as Floyd Cramer, Willie Nelson, and Patsy Cline.
Influence on Western Swing
"San Antonio Rose" is considered a pivotal song in the development and popularization of the western swing genre.
Song Theme
The song is about a "rose" (a woman) from San Antonio and it's filled with longing and nostalgia, typical of country and western music.
Live Performances
It served as a standard set piece for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys during their live performances.
Inclusion in Films
"San Antonio Rose" was also used in several films and television series including Clint Eastwood's "Honkytonk Man" and Stephen King's TV series "The Stand".

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