Lonesome 7-7203

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"Lonesome 7-7203"
Single by Hawkshaw Hawkins
B-side"Everything Has Changed"
ReleasedMarch 2, 1963[1]
Recorded1962
GenreCountry
Length2:45
LabelKing
Songwriter(s)Justin Tubb
Producer(s)Ray Pennington
Hawkshaw Hawkins singles chronology
"Soldier's Joy"
(1959) 		"Lonesome 7-7203"
(1963)

"Lonesome 7-7203" is a 1963 single by Hawkshaw Hawkins, written by Justin Tubb. It was the final single release of his career, released in 1963 on the King label.

History[]

"Lonesome 7-7203" was Hawkins's first chart entry since "Soldier's Joy" in 1959. It spent twenty-five weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, peaking at No. 1 on the chart dated for May 4, 1963.[2]

Three days after its release, Hawkins died in an airplane crash which also killed Patsy Cline and Cowboy Copas. Two weeks after Hawkins' death, the song reached No. 1 for a four-week run.[2]

The song, a heartbreak ballad, is from a man who keeps receiving phone calls for his ex. He can't bear the constant calls (not for him) that remind him of her so he has gotten a new phone number, which he will only reveal to her, that she can call to get back in touch with him (and presumably, resume the relationship). The song is the means that he uses to give out the new number.

In a 1997 episode of Country's Family Reunion, Jean Shepard, who is Hawkins' widow, explained that she had recorded the song for Capitol Records about a year before Hawkins recorded it for King; however, for some unknown reason, Capitol chose not to release it at that time. Shepard went on to say that Hawkins finally told her "If they're not going to release that Justin Tubb song, I'm gonna record it".[3]

On the same program, Justin Tubb said "I gave it to Jean (Shepard). And I still think it's a Girl's song. Because, when a Husband and Wife break up, it's usually the guy that has to leave, and the wife stays home and keeps the house and the furniture".[3]

Cover versions[]

Following Hawkins' version, three others charted on the country singles charts with cover versions: Burl Ives, Tony Booth and Darrell Clanton, in 1967, 1972 and 1983, respectively.

Chart performance[]

Hawkshaw Hawkins[]

Chart (1963) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 1[2]
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 8[2]

Burl Ives[]

Chart (1967) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 72[4]

Tony Booth[]

Chart (1972) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 16[5]
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 7[6]

Darrell Clanton[]

Chart (1983-1984) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 24[7]
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 21[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "Forgotten Artists: Hawkshaw Hawkins (1921-1963) - Engine 145". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Justin Tubb-Lonesome 7-7203". YouTube. 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  4. ^ Whitburn, pp. 200-201
  5. ^ Whitburn, p. 56
  6. ^ "RPM Country Tracks listing for December 2, 1972". RPM. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  7. ^ Whitburn, p. 94
  8. ^ "RPM Country Tracks listing for February 4, 1984". RPM. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
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