There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight is a song written by

Hank Williams Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...

and released on

MGM Records MGM Records was a record label founded by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946 for the purpose of releasing soundtrack recordings (later LP albums) of their musical films. It transitioned into a pop music label that continued into the ...

as the

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

to " Mind Your Own Business" in July 1949.

Background

According to Colin Escott's 2004 memoir ''Hank Williams: The Biography'', country music disc jockey

Nelson King Nelson King (August 7, 1914 – March 16, 1974) was an American radio disc jockey (DJ) with a nationwide following. Credited by many historians as among the most influential country music DJs in the post-World War II era, the "King of the count ...

always insisted that he had written "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight" with Williams, and was surreptitiously credited with a half-share of the song. However, the extent of King's contribution is debatable; songwriter

Tillman Franks Tillman Ben Franks, Sr. (September 29, 1920 – October 26, 2006), was an American bassist and songwriter and the manager for a number of country music artists including Johnny Horton, David Houston, Webb Pierce, Claude King, and the Carli ...

, who Escott writes "had more or less invented payola in the country record business," later recalled a fishing trip he took with Williams and country singer Webb Pierce: :I'd given Nelson King half of "Three Ways of Knowing" and Hank said, "Franks, you and Pierce have done fucked up business giving these deejays songs." I said, "Hank, I didn't start it. Nelson told me you'd given him half of 'There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight.'" Hank said, "I didn't mean to, I was drunk.'" Williams' session band was composed of Clyde Baum (mandolin), Zeke Turner (electric guitar), Jerry Byrd (steel guitar), Louis Innis (rhythm guitar), Tommy Jackson (fiddle) and Willie Thawl (bass).{{cite book, author=Escott, Colin, year=1994, title=Hank Williams: The Biography, publisher=Hachette Digital, Inc, isbn=0-316-24986-6, page=96 The session is notable for being held at a

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

recording studio rather than Castle Studio in Nashville, where Hank usually recorded.

Cover versions

* Al Martino recorded the song for Capitol in 1954. * Tony Bennett recorded the song in 1954. *

Anita Carter Ina Anita Carter (March 31, 1933 – July 29, 1999) was an American singer who played upright bass, guitar, and autoharp. She performed with her sisters, Helen and June, and her mother, Maybelle, initially under the name The Carter Sisters an ...

released a version of the song in 1954. * Joni James recorded the song in 1957. * George Jones cut a version for his 1960 Mercury album ''

George Jones Salutes Hank Williams ''George Jones Salutes Hank Williams'' is the 1960 country music studio album released in May 1960 by George Jones. The album was the ninth studio LP release, and was recorded in one session. The album has been reissued multiple times since its r ...

''. * Adam Wade charted with the song in 1962. *The song appears on

Hank Williams, Jr. Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of southern rock, blues, and country. He is the son of ...

's 1964 LP ''Sings the Songs of Hank Williams''. * Tennessee Ernie Ford included it on his 1964 release ''Country Hits...Feelin' Blue''. *

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

recorded the song for

Liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...

in the early 1960s. *Williams' idol

Roy Acuff Roy Claxton Acuff (September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992) was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the "King of Country Music", Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown ...

released a version of the song in 1966. *

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

included it on his album ''

Hank Williams the Roy Orbison Way ''Hank Williams The Roy Orbison Way'' is the fourteenth album recorded by Roy Orbison, and the eighth for MGM Records, released in August 1970. It is a tribute album to the songs of Country Music Hall of Fame honky tonk singer Hank Williams, whom ...

'' in 1970. * Ray Price recorded the song for his 1976 LP ''Hank 'N' Me''.

References

Hank Williams songs 1949 songs Songs written by Hank Williams Song recordings produced by Fred Rose (songwriter)