Kitty Wells, a pioneering female country music artist, rose to fame in the 1950s with her song “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” This bold song challenged the traditional country music narrative that placed the blame for societal problems on women.
Released in 1952, the song was an “answer song” to Hank Thompson’s hit, “The Wild Side of Life,” which painted a picture of women who frequented honky-tonks as morally questionable. Wells’ counterpoint argued that societal pressures and neglect from men, not inherent flaws in women, led them to such places.
The song’s opening line, “As I sit here tonight the jukebox plays/A song about the wild side of life,” immediately references Thompson’s song, setting the stage for a direct response. Wells sings, “They tell a story of a heart that’s gone astray/But fellas, listen closely, I have something to say.”
The lyrics challenge the notion that women are solely responsible for their choices and argue that men also play a role in the breakdown of relationships and the hardships women face. This message resonated with many female listeners who felt unheard and misrepresented in the male-dominated genre.
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” became an unexpected hit, topping the country charts and selling over a million copies. This success not only propelled Wells to stardom but also paved the way for other female country singers to challenge the status quo and address social issues through their music.