The Last Letter

"The Last Letter"
Single by Rex Griffin
B-side	"Over the River"
Released	June 1937
Format	10" single (Decca-5383)
Recorded	May 13, 1937
Genre	Country
Length	3:03
Label	Decca
Writer(s)	Rex Griffin

"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin

A standard of country music, the tune was covered by diverse acts. Jimmie Davis' 1939 version became a hit, while it was covered by diverse country acts.

Writing and original recording

In 1937, singer-songwriter Rex Griffin wrote "The Last Letter" while he was living in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[1] He was inspired to write the song after he was left by his wife.^[2] The lyrics told the story of a suicide letter,^[3] written by an older man directed to a younger woman.^[4] It described his bitterness, and pain for the end of their romance.^[2]

Griffin recorded "The Last Letter" during a New York session on May 13, 1937.^[1] The single, backed with "Over the River" on the flipside was released the same year on Decca Records. Despite that "The Last Letter" turned into a hit, the poor sales of Griffin caused his dismissal by the label.^[5] The song became later considered a standard of Country music.^[6]

Cover versions

Country singer Jimmie Davis recorded the song again in 1939, turning it again into a hit.^[2] It was covered as well by The Blue Sky Boys and The Carter Family.^[7]

In 1963, Ernest Tubb recorded a cover version for his Rex Griffin tribute album Just Call Me Lonesome. The song was recorded at Bradley's Barn Studio on April 19, 1962, produced by Owen Bradley^[8] Tubb, who was influenced by Griffin, had originally learned the song and others by Griffin that he would often perform. Both singers toured together, remaining friend until Griffin's death in 1958.^[9] The same year, Willie Nelson recorded the song. RCA Records released the song as the flipside of the single "Half a Man".^[10]

The following year, Jack Greene released his version of the song on the album Ernest Tubb Presents the Texas Troubadours, becoming after its success a solo act.^[11] "The Last Letter" was also covered by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell.^[5]

Bob Dylan's To Ramona is a nod to Rex Griffin and his song The Last Letter.

Footnotes

References

• Billboard staff (1963). "Singles Review". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 75 (3). ISSN 0006-2510. 
• Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra Chris (2003). All Music Guide to Country: The Definitive Guide to Country Music. ISBN 9780879307608. 
• Escott, Colin; Merritt, George; MacEwen, William (1994). Hank Williams: The Biography. Hachette Digital, Inc. p. 307. ISBN 0-316-24986-6. 
• Larkin, Collin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music. Indiana University. ISBN 978-0-753-50236-5. 
• Pugh, Ronnie (1988). "Rex Griffin: Passing on the Rodgers Legacy". Mid-America Folklore. Ozark States Folklore Society and the English Department, Southwest Missouri State University. 16-17. 
• Tosches, Nick (2009). "Country: The Twisted Roots of Rock 'n' Roll". Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-786-75098-6. 
• Pugh, Ronnie (1998). Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubadour. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-822-32190-3. 
• Sachs, Bill (1958). "Folk Talent & Tunes". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 70 (48). ISSN 0006-2510. 
• Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-858-28534-4.