by Timothy Edward Jones

Created on: February 10, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

A song that can evoke enough emotion to stir tears in the listener's eyes is rare in the 21st century's music world. In my personal listening experience, there are many songs that have brought enough raw emotions to the table to make me cry. Some of the songs are truly sad and others are so spiritually stirring that it makes the soul so happy that tears are the only emotion that can be released.

The most memorable song that is so emotionally charged in lyric, melody and performance came from the year 1963. The song: "I Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself To Sleep." The artist: Charlie Louvin. The songwriter: Bill Anderson.

This particular song was written by Grand Ole Opry star 'Whispering' Bill Anderson in an eight-dollar a night hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia.

"That song was written from a very personal experience." Anderson notes. "It was one that I didn't have to make up. I'd write a line, then I'd cry awhile and then I would write some more."

In 1963, Charlie Louvin, half of the legendary country and gospel music duo The Louvin Brothers, set out on his own as a solo artist with Capitol Records. "I Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself To Sleep" was his debut single as a solo artist and reached the country music top 10 charts. Louvin's convincing performance of the song is enough to stir tears in most any hardcore country music fan. Of course, Louvin had a great teacher in the field of musical emotion; his big brother Ira.

"It's one of my favorite songs that I've ever recorded." Louvin says about the Anderson-penned song.

Charlie Louvin will celebrate his 80th birthday in July. He is set to release a new CD on February 20th, 2007. This new set of recordings features duets with such music icons as George Jones and Elvis Costello.

Bill Anderson continues writing hit country songs today. His most recent hit as a songwriter is George Strait's last number one song "Give It Away."

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