A lot of coal miners back in the day were paid in store credits & they could only use at the company store to buy necessities that were over priced. The company basically was making its own money back, thus keeping the miners in debt.
@shellipiersant2373
2 жыл бұрын
You should listen to Jimmy Dean’s “Big John” and Kenny Rogers “Ruby”. Great story telling songs. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@hakapelika7024
2 жыл бұрын
Add Coal Miners Daughter...
@patticrichton1135
2 жыл бұрын
And another story song "RINGO" by Lorne Greene (who starred in the 1960s western "BONANZA") similar in style to BIG JOHN, but this one is about a gun slinger.
@tricky2055
2 жыл бұрын
“Coward of the County” by Kenny Rogers. Great story song.
@cathyhodges8613
2 жыл бұрын
Mr. Ford sang beautiful gospel music as well.
@mistylee717
2 жыл бұрын
“The company store” was a racket where you would buy your needs from the store owned by the company but it was always so expensive that you’d owe more than you earned. It’s how they kept you there slaving for them since you’d couldn’t leave when you were in debt. It’s illegal now but still happens to a lot of undocumented immigrants.
@mistylee717
2 жыл бұрын
I have this song on my current playlist! I’m glad others are finding it.
@mistylee717
2 жыл бұрын
From Wikipedia: “Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.[1] Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. Cliffie Stone played bass on the recording.[2] It was first released in July 1947 by Capitol on Travis's album Folk Songs of the Hills.[3] The song became a gold record. The line "You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt" came from a letter written by Travis's brother John.[1] Another line came from their father, a coal miner, who would say: "I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the company store."[4] A 1955 version recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford reached number one in the Billboard charts,[5] while another version, by Frankie Laine in 1956, was released only in Western Europe, where it gave Ford's version competition.”
@vadave311
2 жыл бұрын
Not for Wal-Mart. Pay the employees so little they have to get food stamps that they spend at Wal-Mart. Pretty much the same racket.
@davidtullis2810
2 жыл бұрын
The steel mills were in the middle of nowhere there wasn't a town within miles so you had to shop at the company store
@garyoliver5712
2 жыл бұрын
Also, miners were paid not with money but coupons that they could only use in stores owned by the mine company.
@storiedworlds6261
2 жыл бұрын
Haven’t heard this song in ages. Great pick. Reminds me of riding in the car with my Grandpa at the wheel.
@casualcausalityy
2 жыл бұрын
He had good taste in music, always love a cool grandpa
@msgayle2502
2 жыл бұрын
If you decide to play Christmas songs, listen to some of his, he's so soulful.
@allentowngal4769
2 жыл бұрын
Wow.. you're going waaayyy back.. love that you loved this old song.
@allisonreed7682
2 жыл бұрын
Jovaughn, I can’t tell you how excited I was to see you had reacted to this! Tennessee Ernie Ford had such a rich and unique voice, and his performance on this song was nothing short of pure perfection.
@MANBEARPIG111
Жыл бұрын
What a great reaction and interpretation, my grandpa used to play this for me. A Korean War marine infantry veteran and construction worker for the rest of his life. I can now see how he liked this. Such a cool old style of music man.
@Lori-xt2lf
2 жыл бұрын
My ancestors were all coal miners. Not slavery, but it was a ROUGH life. Lots of death, lung disease. The company store was run by the mining companies, and they often had the minors over a barrel. Union members today live like kings. I’m the first college grad from either side.
@alecneate76
2 жыл бұрын
Slavery under another name essentially
@tracyfrazier7440
2 жыл бұрын
Exactly, it was only through the coal miners union that our grandfather’s were able to be paid a living wage and educate their children out of the mines.
@Lori-xt2lf
2 жыл бұрын
@@tracyfrazier7440 yes, I am very very grateful for their sacrifices.
@AE-xs5ze
2 жыл бұрын
Came out 1955. I was 6 yrs old and loved this song. Musta been weird hearing a little girl try to sing it in a deep voice. Great to hear again!
@rosemary702001
2 жыл бұрын
You made me laugh! I did the same thing! Loved Tennessee Ernie Ford!!
2 жыл бұрын
Classic song, delighted to see your reaction to it.
@neldablanco1663
2 жыл бұрын
One my favorites!! The bass in his voice gives me goosebumps!!! Great Reaction!!
@graciesmom1477
2 жыл бұрын
My Mom owned this record (telling my age now). My parent were at my uncles house (this was before my parents owned a TV) when Tennnessee Ernie came on and my Mom was so thrilled. Kind of like seeing Elvis for the first time. lol
@Connie1Fan
2 жыл бұрын
This is great, I think you need to check out RAY STEVENS "Everything is beautiful" There is a lot of soul in many country songs that also crossed over to the pop charts
@beverlysmith8025
2 жыл бұрын
My grandfather was a coal miner...probably the most dangerous job on ...or under...the earth. The mine company owned the mine, equipment, store and houses the Miner's worked and lived in. If the miner was injured or killed in the mine, the "company" made them move out of the house. They literally owned the souls of the miner and his family. Tennessee Ernie Ford is worth looking into!
@michellehubbard7865
2 жыл бұрын
He did a couple of shows,on I LOVE LUCY, very funny
@marymarin7797
2 жыл бұрын
My father used to listen to him. I remember this song growing up and I'm 60 this year!😊
@frankiemahon
2 жыл бұрын
Ditto to both points! I grew up on this but haven't heard it since I set out on my own. I'm glad I stumbled onto this. Takes me back. Amazing voice and a great song. Thanks!
@marymarin7797
2 жыл бұрын
@@frankiemahon yes!!Brings back memories of road trips. No one touched the music with my father driving so u either enjoyed it and sang along or having a long ride. He also played Brazil 66, Petula Clark ,and Herb Albert&the Tijuana Brass. I was under 10 yrs old then.😳💝
@robertsmith1860
2 ай бұрын
My Dad was raised in the 20s in a small town in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, California named McKittrick, which is a Standard Oil owned town. The Company shacks for workers & their families to live in had dirt floors. My Dad told me that when Grandpa asked for proper floors, he was told, “See those Oil Drills just outside of town? Well, if they stop producing oil, then we’re going to knock down all your houses & drill!!
@jackkennedy_1963
Жыл бұрын
The song was originally written and recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, and this version, the most popular ever, was laid down by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955.
@annanderson6992
Жыл бұрын
Tennessee Ernie Ford had a variety show on television in the 50s. He ended each show with a hymn. The network execs were against this, but he did it anyway, and his ratings went through the roof. Perry Como, another singer in the 50s, had a variety show on another network, and it wasn't long before he was ending his show with a religious or inspirational song.
@deborahdanhauer8525
2 жыл бұрын
I always loved him. All of his songs are like this. They are impossible to forget🐝🤗❤️
@Lcash218
2 жыл бұрын
He was also an excellent comedian as well as singer. He played a small part in “I Love Lucy” as cousin Ernie while they were driving from NYC to Hollywood. I actually got to see him live in Atlanta, Ga in ‘68
@brianwilson3952
2 жыл бұрын
He's loading 16 tonnes a day. Back in the day in the UK and the US, companies used to own towns and they'd pay their workers tokens that they could only spend at anyplace owned by the company. So they were basically slaves. They were always in debt to the company store.
@lawrencekelli
2 жыл бұрын
Love love this song!
@nancyanderson5310
Жыл бұрын
Bless you for fully hearing this gem from the past. You delight my heart. I feel like a friend shared my joy in a beauty from my youth. This was a poor folks song. It told our story, even if we weren’t coal miners. It is so great to see a face light up and a handsome fellow smile because something new and good came into his life. Big hugs! Time travel again! Love it!
@TheEudaemonicPlague
5 ай бұрын
Merle Travis did it first in 1946, but Tennessee Ernie Ford had a massive hit with it in 1955. He re-recorded it many times afterward, including in 1960 and 1965. He had a number of country hits, but he also recorded tons of hymns...he was very religious. My mother had lots of his records, especially the hymns, so I grew up hearing him a lot. He was from Fordtown, TN...named so because so many people with the family name Ford lived there. Heh...makes sense. That's very much out in the sticks....and it's not even an incorporated town. You ought to check out some of the really old country music...from the beginning, in the 1920s. The music existed before then, but that's when it was first recorded, and when it first hit the radio, it kinda exploded...it pulled in western music, which actually is a separate genre, though most people are unaware of that fact. Country and Western developed side by side, from pretty much the same roots, which makes it sometimes difficult to tell whether a song is country or western. The first country artists ever recorded would be Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. There was a second Jimmie Rodgers in the fifties, who mostly did fold songs...not the same guy, because the first one died in 1933. But the first Jimmie Rodgers is known as the father of country music. You really need to hear him yodel!Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas) kzitem.info/news/bejne/0nt_qKF9k6pym5w
@paulalaurita3358
2 жыл бұрын
Love that your immediate reaction was wanting to listen again. Ford’s voice and the story just hook you in.
@mildredpierce4506
2 жыл бұрын
Ernie Ford sings beautiful gospel songs too.
@Summermute7
2 жыл бұрын
Great choice! I’ve always loved this one. Glad to see you check it out!
@loisrogers2511
2 жыл бұрын
I hadn't thought about him for so long. My parents used to play him sometimes, and I liked him to. Very Unique voice!
@kimberlyokeeffe5360
2 жыл бұрын
I remember being quite young when I first heard this song and just fell in love with it. The story caught my ear and it music was just different enough that it made me listen. Many decades later, Mr. Ford gospel music is some of my favorite listening as it helps me disconnect from what is going on currently. Great choice! If you want, check out a song he did with Dean Martin - When the Ship Hit the Sand.
@thefullnomad6543
2 жыл бұрын
My dad died a few years ago. I have never listened to this song before, but wouldn't you know it -- I remember my dad singing it on roadtrips when we were kids. His voice was very similar. This made me smile. Thanks.
@DeLee596
2 жыл бұрын
"Bless your pea pickin' heart." was T E Ford's stocked saying.
@bjspeck4337
Жыл бұрын
You were correct in calling it slave labor. I listened to Tennessee Ernie Ford's version when I was in 7th grade, when my stepdad adopted my brother and I. In 8th grade my American history teacher talked to us about what really went on within the mines owned by fabulously wealthy men. They owned stores, rental houses, the doctors, the town. They paid the men not in cash but in scrip that they could take into stores to by food, or clothes, or to go to a doctor. Not worth as much as dollars and not transferable outside the town. It didn't go far which is why he was singing about owing my soul to the company store. There was no getting away. Men died young to black lung, Not a pretty picture.
@bonnibobb1628
2 жыл бұрын
LOVE this song; always have. Tennessee Ernie had one of the best voices ever. If you like storytelling songs you need to listen to some Tom T. Hall. His nickname was The Storyteller.
@charleswendt4868
2 жыл бұрын
He had a show, I think was on NBC, even though they told him he could not do it he ended each show with a religeous song, His show was one of the highest rated shows during that time.
@kathytoy5055
2 жыл бұрын
Something I think many people miss about music in the 50s, 60s, and 70s is that it wasn't all just rock and roll. There were still a lot of solo artists, instrumental orchestral pop, and country crossover around that are certainly worth listening to today. I believe you can't get the true musical picure of that era without exploring these other genres. Hats off to you, Jay, for giving songs like this a listen.
@antarcticorb9197
2 жыл бұрын
You're correct with your interpretation!
@Doveofserenity
2 жыл бұрын
The Company had houses that the miners were forced to live in, and pay rent on; and The Company Store was where they had to (no options) rent their tools and all other supplies from. They had to use a company note called script notes; which was allowing the company to take the rent, food and supplies off of what they made bringing up the coal from the mines. You could bring up 16 tons in one day, and you would still be in debt to the company because of them forcing you to live in their houses and shop at their stores. By the time they retired, most of the had Black Lung and died of it after. My great uncle got up of a morning, and went to the kitchen table and would cough up a butter bowl full of black phlegm from that nasty disease. He eventually passed away from it.
@wearinganapron
2 жыл бұрын
Great one! See if you can react to Ernie Ford singing "Go Where I Send Thee." He sings it live, with a group of children, and it's purely wonderful. : )
@lisaryan3865
2 жыл бұрын
Fabulous song Jay, I've never heard it before however will be putting this reaction on repeat. Thanks Jay ❤👍
@jeffm5048
2 жыл бұрын
Loved this song
@blanchegerena128
2 жыл бұрын
This song was also recorded by Mexican singer Alberto Vasquez. Excellent cover by Alberto.
@nancywengert7301
2 жыл бұрын
My parents had this record when I was a little kid, I would play it over and over because I loved his voice!
@reshaud81
2 жыл бұрын
This song dropped in 1955 J!
@gretadurbin4144
2 жыл бұрын
I grew up listening to this song. Later I taught his grandsons in preschool. Loved that connection. Still enjoy hearing this.
@kraig7777
2 жыл бұрын
I'm 61 now and when I was a kid this still was played enough that I knew every word. I recommend some Frankie Laine if you like this kind of old timey story telling combined with a magnificent voice..
@zebjohnson5118
2 жыл бұрын
Tex Williams " Smoke Smoke Smoke " ✌️♥️ 1947
@thelittlemrs
2 жыл бұрын
Now we're talking! 😍
@tinalynn6791
2 жыл бұрын
Great song and reaction......thanks.
@cynthiahoffmann5757
2 жыл бұрын
My dad looked just like him with the same voice and would sing this song through the house as loud as he could. Thanks for the memories!
@ronaldnash5394
10 ай бұрын
As family of coal minors, I know how hard it is for men like my uncles. Much respect.
@ceejay1794
2 жыл бұрын
This song was recorded in 1946 and released in 47. My older brother loved this song as a toddler…..❤️
@persallnas5408
2 жыл бұрын
I love that you react to the original stuff and that you get it.
@loisfreeman1646
2 жыл бұрын
Erie Ford was an awesome singer. I have a few albums handed down to me.
@ewetoobblowzdogg8410
2 жыл бұрын
Jeff Beck and ZZ Top did a rockin' cover of this. A must see!
@leisastalnaker3790
2 жыл бұрын
It’s about being a coal miner, back in the day, when the “company” owned everything. You shopped at the coal company store, you were paid in company script, instead of money and you bought everything at the company store. The company owned your house and everything else.
@tlp8295
2 жыл бұрын
Great song and voice
@HRConsultant_Jeff
2 жыл бұрын
Ernie was such a nice gentleman. He did a lot of comedy on TV shows in the 50s and 60s. He did a lot of gospel recordings and his baritone was one of the best.
@Grumpy_Rabbit
2 жыл бұрын
Now you have to hear Geoff Castellucci's recent cover of this song.
@contacluj758
2 жыл бұрын
Phill Harris -"The Thing" is also a catchy old song
@talltulip
2 жыл бұрын
I never noticed it before, but to me Ernie's voice sounds, at times, quite a lot like Cab Calloway's voice. Anyone else hear that?
@alberttiii
2 жыл бұрын
I'm 59 and we would hear this as an ultra oldie on the radio in the 70's, or depicted as a skit/song on TV Variety shows. It was always a cool song. And of course Joe vs Volcano featured it. Which is on my all time favorite list.
@hakapelika7024
2 жыл бұрын
Jim Nabors also had a beautiful bass voice.
@quincee3376
2 жыл бұрын
Classic!
@liaboyd8464
2 жыл бұрын
I had totally forgotten this song! It's so good, his voice, the instruments, the message. Great reaction, Jay!
@jerryjaguar3239
2 жыл бұрын
YESSSIR.
@mkmstillstackin
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for doing this one!...I'm a Gen X'er but yet I still binge on this song from time to time. When the mood hits me, I just have to play 8 to 10 times in a row. The working man's anthem as I once heard it called. Loved it since I was a kid.
@paulwalters7268
2 жыл бұрын
He was also a TV actor and comedian. He had his own variety show, appeared on the "I Love Lucy" show and others.
@jonathanedison
2 жыл бұрын
Great song!
@RevanTheSavage
2 жыл бұрын
So a bit of history behind the song, he is talking about a time when Company towns existed and many didnt pay their workers in USD instead they paid with their own currency that was only good within their town, the company store was a way to keep people indebted to the company and unable to move away from the profession and company town
@Mr._Anderpson
2 жыл бұрын
I still have some of the "scrip" my grandfather earned when mining. They're basically worthless little coins printed by the company and were only redeemable in company stores. The markup on items in company stores was so high that the workers ended up paying everything they earned right back to the company for their housing and necessities. In essence, they turned the people into serfs who lived on company land and lacked the means to better themselves. Another good tale of coal-mining & what happened way back in the day is "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive". Brad Paisley (a West Virginian, shocker) does a good version of the song. Check it out sometime.
@itmightbme
2 жыл бұрын
Fabulous! 💜
@solidshake12
2 жыл бұрын
Great song. Check out Ghost Riders in the Sky by Vaughn Monroe. Another exceptional voice.
@pennytipp
2 жыл бұрын
That’s one of my dad’s favorite songs, it’s a good one.
@mt3311
2 жыл бұрын
#9 coal is a reference to the seam and the quality of the coal. #9 is a deeper seam, and therefore better coal. a canebrake is a thicket of cane, or bamboo, that grows in the Southern United States. A high toned woman is a bossy one, and walking the line is you doing everything she tells you to, and her being the boss of you.
@severma22
2 жыл бұрын
Yes coal mines - company had the only ‘store’. My uncle’s & grandfather worked there. Had a cousin committed suicide after one of the last coal. Mine accidents in West Virginia. The workers reported dangers were to the management-and workers were ignored. Mine accident forget how many died, including the suicide.
@Scatherfirst
2 жыл бұрын
More relevant today than it was then
@cmccracken5976
2 жыл бұрын
A new artist covers this song Geoff Castelucci. Amazing
@blackbutterfly243
2 жыл бұрын
It's been ages since I heard this song, memories...lol
@Trifler500
2 жыл бұрын
Geoff Castellucci's did a great cover of this song fairly recently. :)
@casewharry8926
2 жыл бұрын
When you do your research in to what he’s talking about in this song it becomes pretty brutal.
@shevawn1973
2 жыл бұрын
I was a little girl when this came out. It was VERY popular. He had his own TV show I believe.
@johnwingate8799
2 жыл бұрын
There is a modern version with Billy gibbons singing and Tennessee Ernie Ford on the big screen.good choice.
@lesleypulling129
2 жыл бұрын
A great Classic ❤ good to hear it again been a long time ❤
@Rosiepooh75
2 жыл бұрын
If you enjoyed this, check out Geoff Castellucci's cover of this song - he's a low-bass singer
@aclevername7613
2 жыл бұрын
This song has more weight when you realize what it was about and it being a protest to the corrupt mining, lumber and other work towns also how its a call to arms at the end.
@kentclark6420
2 жыл бұрын
Another similar song might be five o clock world by the Vogue's. A cool song!
@carolkasiah3288
Жыл бұрын
He's good on gospel too
@melodyjordan6052
2 жыл бұрын
It came out in 1955
@muffinpoots
Жыл бұрын
16 tons was the daily coal quota per man. Your shift was over when you loaded that amount into a minecar with a shovel. The ceiling is never more than 5 feet and the entire time you are breathing carcinogenic dust/gas from the coal itself. You could load more for some overtime but then the company would raise the quota for everyone. You might live to see 60.
@saradunn3938
2 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite songs especially done by him. Should check out Red Army Choir. The guy is having a blast. Ocrocr1 has the best quality on their channel.
@patrickgriffin6369
2 жыл бұрын
"A mind that is weak"
@jodyariewitz7349
4 ай бұрын
❤
@naturally953
2 жыл бұрын
This is nice!🙂
@littlebear6119
Жыл бұрын
From 1955
@philiphill6697
2 жыл бұрын
Good one. I love the VARIETY!
@jimbrentar
Жыл бұрын
once upon a time, coal miners were paid in "scrip" instead of money, and it could only be spent at the company store, and they were charged for the equipment they used in mining
@fredmueller4610
2 жыл бұрын
Listen to him sing Rock of Ages
@FishKungfu
2 жыл бұрын
Great pick! Another deep voice is Thurl Ravenscroft. He sang "You're a Mean One Mr Grinch".
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