"Wealth Won't Save Your Soul" is a song written and recorded 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 ...

. It was paired with "When God Comes and Gather His Jewels" for his second single release on Sterling Records in February 1947.

Background

Williams earliest musical education came from attending the Mt. Olive Baptist Church near Georgina,

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

as a child with his mother, and, by all accounts, the music of the church remained an indelible part of Hank's life and music. His earliest success as a songwriter came from writing gospel songs, and he would go on to compose the standard " I Saw the Light." In the ''

American Masters ''American Masters'' is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and those who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the ...

'' documentary about Williams, former Drifting Cowboy R.D. Norred recalls, "Hank was kind of a highly religious person. Boy, he believed in them old gospel songs." He recorded the song on December 11, 1946 at WSM Studio in

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...

with Fred Rose producing and was backed on the session by the Willis Brothers, who also went by the name of the

Oklahoma Wranglers The Oklahoma Wranglers were a professional arena football team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They were members of the Central (1996–1997) and Western (1998–2001) Division of the American Conference of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ...

: James "Guy" Willis (guitar), Vic Wallis (accordion), Charles "Skeeter" Willis (fiddle), and Charles "Indian" Wright (bass).

References

{{Reflist 1946 songs Songs written by Hank Williams Hank Williams songs Song recordings produced by Fred Rose (songwriter)