I highly recommend listening to the lyrics of this song. While Tennessee Ernie Ford had an incredible voice, what he's singing about has a valuable lesson regarding working conditions for the rural poor They worked and toiled long hours but had little to show for it due to a racket designed by the owners they worked. Hence, why he says, I owe my soul to the company store.
Coal mines, steel mills, railroad construction workers; Blacks, Asian and Irish immigrants among others: all ingredients of a closed, regressive, system of total submission and capture that was the American heavy industry world from the 1870s to, in some instances, today. Think of the sweatshop clothing companies in SE Asia and elsewhere -- they're part of the same soul-stealing industrial system of the world.
I'm from a family of coal miners and steel workers. Up until I think the early to mid 1900's they were paid in "script", which was basically company styled money.You could only buy your essentials in the company store. The money would go right back into the company. All the miners had little tags that they would put on the cart that they loaded to signify it was their load. They would only get paid for the coal in their carts. Meaning that they could have busted their butts all day and have more rock than coal. That's where the word Redneck comes from. It's become synonymous with being backwoods and dumb, but a red handkerchief that was tied around the neck of a miner signified that you were a union supporter. Coal companies called in hired thugs to stop the strike and it ended up a massacre in the southern part of WV.
Not sure if this is the movie your talking about but ‘Matewan’ (1987) is about a coal strike in Matewan, WV. in the 1920s. It’s a great movie and I highly recommend it.
The team "RedNeck" was coined in Madison WV, Im org. from the Madison/Danville area. It was coined by a journalist who saw the miners who were lined up getting ready to march to Blair Mountain, the miners all had red bandana's on in solidarity. Where the Battle of Blair Mountain happened. During the battle bombs were dropped during this time. It's the only time a bomb has been dropped on the people of the United States while not in war time.
@@Lufsixq Be careful with your "onlies." Bombs were dropped on black folks' homes in the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, the Philadelphia police dropped an incendiary bomb on MOVE headquarters in 1985, destroying 61 homes of mostly black families, and even early gang wars between prohibition bootleggers in 1926 involved an aerial bombing attack (though it failed to kill its intended target).
@@nunuvyabusiness8550 thank you, I think knew Ernie's wasn't original but it's the one I remember hearing as a child. There's a lot of good music/songs from the 30s/40s in the foundation of country/folk/bluegrass & pop/rock&roll we should acknowledge. A lot stories (history) in those songs.
For anyone who doesn't know, song is about being a coal miner when many places in America were Company Towns, places where everyone in the town worked for one company and the company owned everything, including your housing. The system was designed to screw the workers who would do backbreaking work, but at the end of the month they had to pay down the debt to the company for the rent for housing and debt for everything they purchased at the "company store". People would make less money working for the company that they'd owe to them each month for rent and food and other necessities, and then anything not payed would have an interest rate applied like a credit card. That is why he says in song he can't go to heaven because he owes his soul to the company store. He can't die yet because he has too much debt owed to the company store, and no matter how hard he works he is deeper in debt every single day. It is a tragic portrait of American working class poverty, and a system I fear we are rapidly heading back towards.
ThisTHIS right here. I have always loved this song. Ever since I was old enough to be able to sing. Easy to sing along to but even better to enjoy. Truly one of the best songs EVER written
Others may have covered it, but up through the 40's and 50's, a coal company would own everything, housing, entertainment, and the mercantile stores. In one way or the other you worked for the company. Coal miners would get paid in 3 part script and 1 part cash. The company stores would only take script and usually cost 2x what a regular store would. This caused many family to owe more than they made just for essentials. Especially in the Appalachian regions, these towns were so rural that you expected to bed fed by coal, kept warm with coal and died beaten and broke beneath the coal.
I love this one. The song is about labor conditions during the depression. That’s why he owes his soul to the company store. His is so far in debt he is afraid to die. Thank you
I’m guessing if they paid the miners in scrip to buy goods in the company store they could charge outlandish prices for basic items meaning you never get ahead.
@@carolynnewcomb2153 and the company owned the housing as well.... indentured servitude, pretty much legalized slavery. Costs were so high the workers couldn't pay off their debt, and were trapped. Children inherited their father's debt.... St Peter don't you call me cause I can't go., I owe my soul to the company store (devil)
It had nothing to do with The Great Depression. Life in the company towns in Appalachia was this way before, during, and after the Depression. My father worked in the coal mines before they had motorized coal cars, so they used mules. In the event of a mine collapse, the miners had standing orders to get the mules out first, because replacing the mules cost money, while the miners could be replaced for nothing.
It's actually a very sad song, but very important. Mine owners used to provide housing for the employees. Employees needed to purchase food and clothes from the mine owner's store. Wages were so low they could not afford food and clothing so the store advanced them credit they could not repay. So they could not stop working until they died.
It was the same as share cropping. This model was continued in the company towns of heavy industry. It is a model that has been a part of publishing and the music industry where authors of books and music receive comparatively little for their work. It was not until the digital age that the gatekeepers in these industries have been losing control. But the results have not all been good.
@@nancypatricia511 Yeah, it didn't end with the coal miners. I know for a fact work camps were still a thing at the end of the 20th century. They were in the news then. They may still be around and just not in the news. In this case, it was migrant farm workers and they would pay them less than they charged for room and board. So basically the same thing, just a different job.
I sang this in third grade music class. I'm 55 now, haven't heard this for years. Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood. Great reaction as always
I owe my soul to the company store. That is the message. In some ways, this was a protest song. The company store tactic was one of the things that led to labor unions. The town was owned by the company, and they paid you in company scrip that was only good at company store. But the prices were such that the workers were always in debt. And yeah, they would change it to US dollars, for a fee. It was basically indentured servitude. It is a fascinating time in our history, if you care to look it up.
One of my favorite old school country tunes. You may like Johnny Horton as well, not as deep a voice but had some grit! Sink the Bismark or battle of new Orleans are some great tunes to check out!
Horton was a history teacher and wanted to get these lessons across to his students in a unique way, so he started writing songs. That led to his singing career.
I'm 69 and this is the first record I remember ever hearing. It was my daddy's favorite and I can still hear him whistling it and snapping his fingers as he worked around the house.
Another great song that tells an amazing story (also about miners) is "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean. He was another storyteller from the same era, hugely popular (you can still hear his voice being used in commercials for Jimmy Dean sausage). Hope you do a reaction to "Big Bad John". Huge hit a lot of people remember or whose parents loved it.💙☮💙
When I was 14-16people used to make fun of me for my high pitched voice, but a few months after I turned 17 my voice dropped to where I sounded like Tennessee Ernie Ford. Then people actually listened to me when I spoke.
The meaning to the song is working your entire life and not going anywhere and being own by a company . “ you load 16 tons of #9 coal and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.” “ Saint Peter don’t you call me cuz I can’t go I owe my soul to the company store”
You’re right Van, I just looked up SMOOTH in the dictionary: smooth /smo͞oT͟H/ Adjective 1. having an even and regular surface or consistency; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations "smooth flat rocks like when you load 16 tons” 2. (of movement) without jerks. Like when Tennessee Ernie Ford sings “16 Tons” Verb 1. Completing a task with such grace and fluidity that the onlooker will lose appreciation for how difficult a task it really was. Like when LFR family be doing those reaction videos.
I've Loved this song for more than 40 years. "one fist of iron, the other of steel if the right one don't get you then the left one will" true OG line right there!!
Enjoyed your reaction to this, as always. Loved when you just went off, lol! His voice was special, and I loved how he didn't try to impress with vocal tricks so much as just the his voice showcase itself naturally. Have a good week, and thanks again for a great reaction.
I’m aging myself..but this was one of my grandmother’s favorite songs..she would play that vinyl til it was paper thin!🤦🏽♀️. Now I have a whole new appreciation for it!
Van, you have to check out the episode of I Love Lucy called "Tennessee Ernie Visits" (season 3 episode 10). He was in three episodes as Lucy's country cousin.
Van....now that you've heard this song you must listen to Geoff Castalucci's (bass singer from Voiceplay) cover of 16 tons. He drops some bombs in it that'll just make you happy.
I used to listen to this man when I was young, and I just love him. Here, he was singing about coal miners, and their deplorable working conditions. They (and their families) lived in poor housing owned by the mine. All supplies (groceries, everything) was bought at the mine-owned general store. If you had to get supplies before payday, you get it "on credit", and it came out of your check. It really was a dismal situation as you could never get ahead, or even catch up.
This is one of the very best songs in the world, EVER. Seriously, nobody can not snap their fingers listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford. Loved your reaction!
Back in the old days the COAL MINE COMPANY or the REFINING COMPANY or what ever may Own A Store where They Sold Products for CASH or on COMPANY CREDIT and during the depression many people owed the store HENCE I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE.
Every song he performed and every word he spoke was pure gold ! He was my favorite as a child. We were raised seventh day Adventist and my parents were very strict with music choices. 🎶 He was always playing in the car or home. Great worm hole to explore. Phenomenal
True in the 50s and it’s true today. You work, work, work, another day older and deeper in debt. The rich get away with not paying taxes, so if you’re poor, you say poor.
Love that you found this. I heard this song over 60 years ago and have never forgotten it. Nobody will ever do it better. Just one of those songs done best the first time.
That reminds me Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart have an awesome song called “People Get Ready”… for the train to Jordan. It’s a mainstream gospel song, the video is amazing, they played it on MTV all the time when it came out(80s). Van please react to this song 🙏🏼
I grew up in eastern Kentucky with this song playing on my grandparent's AM radio next door, my grandpa being a lifelong coal miner. Singer/songwriter Merle Travis wrote and then released it in 1947 (it became a gold record for him), then Tennessee Ernie Ford turned it into a mega-hit in 1955, occupying the Billboard country chart's number 1 for 10 weeks, followed by 8 weeks on their pop chart's number 1 spot, and even holding number 1 in the UK Singles Chart for 4 weeks, over competing versions there! This song we just listened to, was all that! The song's lyrics detail life as a coal miner in Muhlenberg County, KY, and include original quotes from Merle Travis' father and brother. Once, referring to the company's financially-ruinous (for the miners) practice of paying workers with an inflated form of in-house credit called _'scrip'_ (with which they were supposed to buy from the company's general store everything from housing to groceries to clothes, etc., building a mountain of debt they had no hope of ever paying off), Travis' father once told a neighbor, "I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the general store." Travis also worked in a quote from his brother John who said, in a letter where he was describing the recent death of war correspondent Ernie Pyle, killed while covering combat, "It's like working in the coal mines. You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt." And whatever their origin, those lyrics certainly rang true for my grandpa, who had known the crushing debt of the company store's 'scrip' system of payment, but who had also known the working man's well-deserved swagger of going down into a hole in the ground every day, putting in a _hard_ day's work, emerging with a thick layer of coal dust on (and in!) him, all to do his very best to take care of his family, or die trying! Those are the heroes celebrated in _Sixteen Tons._ Not those carrying weapons into battle, or even firefighting equipment into burning buildings -- those brave souls are obviously deserving of the title. _Sixteen Tons_ celebrates another kind of hero: One who quietly took his lunch bucket from his pickup truck (well, his and the bank's), walked with a couple dozen other guys to the mouth of the mine, at an hour so early it was still dark, and as he was being lowered into the deep places of the earth, added a bit of water from his canteen to the dry, gray powder in his carbide lantern to create the flammable gas, screwed it tight and hit the striker with its customary loud POP! to ignite the small white flame that would be his only source of light for the next 8 hours, the thought of that flame possibly igniting a pocket of methane in the mine never far from his thoughts, putting in the day's backbreaking labor, then home to family and rest, then to do it all again the next day. For the next 30 to 40 years. If he was lucky. Heroes.
My dad and his brothers went into the Anthracite mines of Schuylkill County PA while they were still in their teens. When WW2 came along, they went and enlisted to escape the mines. My dad and one of his brothers made it home. After the war, dad took up road construction. He helped build the interstates. He had a perpetual tan and his hair was bleached white from the sun. 16 Tons and King of the Road were his favorite songs.
I love listening to these classics! Always have,evenhave a playlist just for them..some others on my playlist are El Paso-Marty Robbins,Big Bad John-Jimmy Dean,Mack The Knife-Bobby Darin..just a few 😀 Keep On Rockin'
All the details have been covered, so I will say that this song was playing on the radio in our house when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and yes, that voice! Oh, my! I also learned, because of this song and Big Bad John, about the coal mines and the people who lived in Appalachia. They have always been in my heart. I absolutely loved watching you hear this for the first time, you are a great reactor!
There is a story that Ernie went on tour to Russia. When he was introduced as Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Russians kept asking "WHO?" But when another Russian told everyone he was Sixteen Tons, all the Russians knew exactly who he was
I worked in customer service at an FBO in Nashville where he chartered aircraft back in the 80's and 90's. Had many conversations with him while he was waiting on his plane, and of all the celebrities I had an opportunity to meet there, he was without a doubt one of the kindest most laid back and respectful gentleman to stand at my counter.
Ernie was a good ole mountain boy who sang Folk music and was quite a comedian. Every Thursday evening we watched The Tennessee Ernie Ford Variety show on the old black and white tv. That was in 1956 and ran about 4 or 5 years I think. I play the 45 record from time to time of his hit, Shotgun Boogie..which he wrote in 1949 ..Side 2 is She's My Baby, its a bit warped but still plays. It was country swing and I think you would like to here it. So glad you are delving into these long forgotten iconic song writers and singers.
I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie and watching him on television! So talented! There is a video on TH-cam of him performing a Christmas carol, with children seated around him. His young son starts his own reaction to his dad. It cracks up Tennessee Ernie so that he can hardly finish the song! Fun to watch! Also, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top does this song as a tribute to Tennessee Ernie, also on TH-cam and it is well worth watching!
He had his own TV variety show in the 1950's when I was a child. My family watched it all the time. As a little girl I had a crush on Tennessee Ernie Ford, I just loved his voice. I was 8 years old when "Sixteen Tons" was released in 1955
My mother used to work in a "company store in the late 1940 's - 1957. The manager of the store would not allow this song to be sold at the store. Also listen and react to Tennessee Ernie Ford's Christmas special where he sings Children Go Where I Send Thee. His children are among the other children on the set. See if you can pick them out. They're the funny ones. After all it was live TV. TOO CUTE!!!
Grew up listening to and watching his TV show. Yes in black and white. I'm 73 and loved his variety show. You can catch clips of the show on TH-cam. My favorite is a Christmas show. He was singing to a group of children. The mistake was his son was one of the children. Live show and funniest I've ever seen.
A company store is a retail store selling a limited range of food, clothing and daily necessities to employees of a company. It is typical of a company town in a remote area where virtually everyone is employed by one firm, such as a coal mine. In a company town, the housing is owned by the company but there may be independent stores there or nearby.
Tennessee Ernie Ford's 16 tons was on the radio every dry day when I was kid. Its about living in a Company Town, like I did, between the housing, store & tavern you pay check was gone every month before you got it. The Company owned it all, and paid in script, which was their own minted money, good only in their town.
Yeah, my grandfather worked in the lead mines in eastern Missouri from about 1890 to about 1905. My grandmother took in laundry from the miners, and between the two of them they managed to scrape together enough money to buy a little farm and raise five kids, including my mother. Tough life for tough people!
Coal miners and textile workers (cotton mill workers) were caught in a cycle (during and after the share-cropping days). They lived in "company-owned homes" and bought (on time) at the company store. Their wages weren't enough to pay the company what they owed for their necessary purchases. So, they were always in debt to the company store.
Tennessee Ernie Ford is the native son from the same town I am from. Lots of stories about him. He was a true sweet heart of a man. We love him to this day. I worked on a renovation of the home he grew up in a couple of years ago. I could not be prouder.
glad you enjoyed one of favorite old singers. not only was Ford a good musician but he was also and Actor usually playing the "singing cowboy" role back in the day. he has a number of good songs well worth listening to
Thanks for a fun reaction! I remember this song from back when I was a little girl. I liked this song and Tennessee Ernie Ford back then and enjoyed him in the episodes of "I Love Lucy" as the eccentric cousin Ernie. I know you recently checked out a couple songs from Voice Play and liked their bass singer, Geoff Castellucci. Geoff covers this song quite well on his solo channel and I think you would really enjoy it.
In 1990, the Oak Ridge Boys, a country music powerhouse of the time, came onstage and sang a quick sample of gospel, before launching into Sixteen Tons as a quartet. Ford was in the audience, and the Oaks got him out of the aidience to make then a quintet for one song. The Oaks, of course, have their own bass, Richard Sterban. Ford was clearly thrilled to be recognized, only to disciver he had been chosen for the Hall of Fame, and this was how hus surprise induction started.
Love this reaction! Tennessee Ernie Ford played "Cousin Ernie" in several of the "I love Lucy episodes". He was so funny in that part and his speaking voice is nothing like his singing voice. My favorite is when they were traveling with the Mertzes and were jailed down south. The only way the Sheriff was going to was going to let them out, was for Ernie to marry one of his daughters, "Teensy' or "Weensy". Well, they walked in and were not teensy or weensy, so Ricky says " I won't let you do it boy"!! 😳
My classic rock band just learned this. We're gonna spring it on an audience this Friday. Our bass player has a great voice for this song. I can't wait to see the reaction.
Tennessee Ernie Ford had a prime-time variety program that ran 5 years. He did a lot of comedy too. My favorite was when he appearance as "Cousin Ernie" on the "I Love Lucy" Show.
This was a hit when I was 11 years old. I just didn't realize how great it was. He did a similar song on his morning show on ABC, "Still Got So Terribly Far to Go."
As others have said Van, you really ought to look into more from Ernie. He's well-remembered here in Tennessee as a good man and an incredible talent. Ernie was one of the good ones.
This is the original written by Merle Travis 1947 A big hit in 1955. There's a great cover by Geoff Castellucci (of HOME FREE). Tennessee Ernie Ford(2/13/1919-10/17/1991) known for his country and western and gospel songs, also had his own TV show in 50's and did a little acting. ( In those days didn't throw their underwear.)
i came across this song in the 70s when i was a teenager, i thought with the deep voice it was a black singer, i loved it but i was only 14, always loved music that was not from my generation. loved your singing.
I'm 30. Loved hearing this song coming on the radio growing up. My dad loved it too, and would often sing the "one fist of iron" verse, as he'd double up his fists and shadow box at me. Lol
Well, bless your little pea pickin' heart for reacting to this song. ""Bless your little pea-pickin' heart" was a catch phrase coined by Tennessee Ernie Ford, a country singer and entertainer, in the middle of the last century."
Ford had a t.v. show back in the 1950's. My family watched it every week. One week he sang Chidren go where I send thee, with a group of children it did not go well.
The song was about coal mining. Ernie studied several years at a prestigious musical conservatory. He is classically trained. This song was one of the biggest hits in the fifties. A really good song he did was SHENANDOAH. You should listen to his gospel songs like PEACE IN THE VALLEY. He was a true crossover artist.
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I highly recommend listening to the lyrics of this song. While Tennessee Ernie Ford had an incredible voice, what he's singing about has a valuable lesson regarding working conditions for the rural poor They worked and toiled long hours but had little to show for it due to a racket designed by the owners they worked. Hence, why he says, I owe my soul to the company store.
The companies worked them to death and kept families in soul breaking poverty.
Yes! My grandfathers were coal miners in southwestern Virginia. The lyrics of this song are so accurate.
My dad LOVED this song. I miss him.
Coal mines, steel mills, railroad construction workers; Blacks, Asian and Irish immigrants among others: all ingredients of a closed, regressive, system of total submission and capture that was the American heavy industry world from the 1870s to, in some instances, today. Think of the sweatshop clothing companies in SE Asia and elsewhere -- they're part of the same soul-stealing industrial system of the world.
Country is fast returning to the Company Town model unfortunately. Just slightly more convoluted system now so it's not as obvious.
I'm from a family of coal miners and steel workers. Up until I think the early to mid 1900's they were paid in "script", which was basically company styled money.You could only buy your essentials in the company store. The money would go right back into the company. All the miners had little tags that they would put on the cart that they loaded to signify it was their load. They would only get paid for the coal in their carts. Meaning that they could have busted their butts all day and have more rock than coal. That's where the word Redneck comes from. It's become synonymous with being backwoods and dumb, but a red handkerchief that was tied around the neck of a miner signified that you were a union supporter. Coal companies called in hired thugs to stop the strike and it ended up a massacre in the southern part of WV.
Not sure if this is the movie your talking about but ‘Matewan’ (1987) is about a coal strike in Matewan, WV. in the 1920s. It’s a great movie and I highly recommend it.
The team "RedNeck" was coined in Madison WV, Im org. from the Madison/Danville area. It was coined by a journalist who saw the miners who were lined up getting ready to march to Blair Mountain, the miners all had red bandana's on in solidarity. Where the Battle of Blair Mountain happened. During the battle bombs were dropped during this time. It's the only time a bomb has been dropped on the people of the United States while not in war time.
@@thewiseoldherper7047 that really happened too.
I was born in Harlan County Kentucky,, heard about this system my whole life.
Fortunately, I got out.
@@Lufsixq Be careful with your "onlies." Bombs were dropped on black folks' homes in the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, the Philadelphia police dropped an incendiary bomb on MOVE headquarters in 1985, destroying 61 homes of mostly black families, and even early gang wars between prohibition bootleggers in 1926 involved an aerial bombing attack (though it failed to kill its intended target).
Imagine...this was released Oct 1955, that was >66YEARS & 4months ago.
Good music never fades away.
Lou, This version was released in 55, but the song was written by Merle Travis in 1946. Ford’s version is iconic.
@@nunuvyabusiness8550 thank you, I think knew Ernie's wasn't original but it's the one I remember hearing as a child. There's a lot of good music/songs from the 30s/40s in the foundation of country/folk/bluegrass & pop/rock&roll we should acknowledge. A lot stories (history) in those songs.
1955 was when I was born. The year this came out. I’m told my older brother used to sing me to sleep with 16 tons. He was 16 years old.
@@erdossuitcase7667 that is a great story
For anyone who doesn't know, song is about being a coal miner when many places in America were Company Towns, places where everyone in the town worked for one company and the company owned everything, including your housing. The system was designed to screw the workers who would do backbreaking work, but at the end of the month they had to pay down the debt to the company for the rent for housing and debt for everything they purchased at the "company store". People would make less money working for the company that they'd owe to them each month for rent and food and other necessities, and then anything not payed would have an interest rate applied like a credit card. That is why he says in song he can't go to heaven because he owes his soul to the company store. He can't die yet because he has too much debt owed to the company store, and no matter how hard he works he is deeper in debt every single day. It is a tragic portrait of American working class poverty, and a system I fear we are rapidly heading back towards.
It's a system that still exists. It has never gone away, the Fed's just made it their own and the company owns the government. Lipstick on a pig.
ThisTHIS right here. I have always loved this song. Ever since I was old enough to be able to sing. Easy to sing along to but even better to enjoy. Truly one of the best songs EVER written
Me too!
Me too
Yeah, it's way up.there, to say the least
Others may have covered it, but up through the 40's and 50's, a coal company would own everything, housing, entertainment, and the mercantile stores.
In one way or the other you worked for the company. Coal miners would get paid in 3 part script and 1 part cash. The company stores would only take script and usually cost 2x what a regular store would. This caused many family to owe more than they made just for essentials.
Especially in the Appalachian regions, these towns were so rural that you expected to bed fed by coal, kept warm with coal and died beaten and broke beneath the coal.
sadly we are headed back to those times, amazon is the new coal empire
Sounds like a Gillian Welch song. She and Dave Rawlings would nail it.
I love this one. The song is about labor conditions during the depression. That’s why he owes his soul to the company store. His is so far in debt he is afraid to die.
Thank you
I’m guessing if they paid the miners in scrip to buy goods in the company store they could charge outlandish prices for basic items meaning you never get ahead.
@@carolynnewcomb2153 and the company owned the housing as well.... indentured servitude, pretty much legalized slavery.
Costs were so high the workers couldn't pay off their debt, and were trapped. Children inherited their father's debt.... St Peter don't you call me cause I can't go., I owe my soul to the company store (devil)
It had nothing to do with The Great Depression. Life in the company towns in Appalachia was this way before, during, and after the Depression.
My father worked in the coal mines before they had motorized coal cars, so they used mules. In the event of a mine collapse, the miners had standing orders to get the mules out first, because replacing the mules cost money, while the miners could be replaced for nothing.
I'm 70 years old I used to watch Tennessee Ernie Ford when I was a kid with my dad
It's actually a very sad song, but very important. Mine owners used to provide housing for the employees. Employees needed to purchase food and clothes from the mine owner's store. Wages were so low they could not afford food and clothing so the store advanced them credit they could not repay. So they could not stop working until they died.
It was the same as share cropping. This model was continued in the company towns of heavy industry. It is a model that has been a part of publishing and the music industry where authors of books and music receive comparatively little for their work. It was not until the digital age that the gatekeepers in these industries have been losing control. But the results have not all been good.
@@nancypatricia511 Yeah, it didn't end with the coal miners. I know for a fact work camps were still a thing at the end of the 20th century. They were in the news then. They may still be around and just not in the news. In this case, it was migrant farm workers and they would pay them less than they charged for room and board. So basically the same thing, just a different job.
Wage slavery.
I sang this in third grade music class. I'm 55 now, haven't heard this for years. Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood.
Great reaction as always
I owe my soul to the company store. That is the message. In some ways, this was a protest song. The company store tactic was one of the things that led to labor unions. The town was owned by the company, and they paid you in company scrip that was only good at company store. But the prices were such that the workers were always in debt. And yeah, they would change it to US dollars, for a fee. It was basically indentured servitude. It is a fascinating time in our history, if you care to look it up.
And if a miner died and there weren't any other miners in the house, the family was tossed out.
Love Tennessee Ernie Ford and this is his trademark song. Don't hear many reactors react to him. But glad you did.
One of my favorite old school country tunes. You may like Johnny Horton as well, not as deep a voice but had some grit! Sink the Bismark or battle of new Orleans are some great tunes to check out!
Horton was a history teacher and wanted to get these lessons across to his students in a unique way, so he started writing songs. That led to his singing career.
This song is darker and more deep than people would think.
It's such a good song.
I'm 69 and this is the first record I remember ever hearing. It was my daddy's favorite and I can still hear him whistling it and snapping his fingers as he worked around the house.
Another great song that tells an amazing story (also about miners) is "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean. He was another storyteller from the same era, hugely popular (you can still hear his voice being used in commercials for Jimmy Dean sausage).
Hope you do a reaction to "Big Bad John". Huge hit a lot of people remember or whose parents loved it.💙☮💙
Big, Bad John.
@@Straydogger
I fixed it.👍
At the bottom of this mine lies a big. BIG. Man. Big John.
Jimmy Dean's "I.O.U" [a tribute to his mother] is a tear jerker....
Then there is the Gold Mining song North to Alaska by Johnny Horton.
When I was 14-16people used to make fun of me for my high pitched voice, but a few months after I turned 17 my voice dropped to where I sounded like Tennessee Ernie Ford. Then people actually listened to me when I spoke.
The meaning to the song is working your entire life and not going anywhere and being own by a company . “ you load 16 tons of #9 coal and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.” “ Saint Peter don’t you call me cuz I can’t go I owe my soul to the company store”
NOW, YA GOTTA DO ROGER MILLER, singin' . . . "Trailer for sale or rent"!
Great song!!!
Kansas City Star, You Can't Rollerskate In A Buffalo Herd, Chug-A-Lug! Love that dude.
"King of the Road"...
My dad was a huge Roger Miller fan too. And Marty Robbins. And the Mills Brothers. Weesh! I miss him.
I thought the same thing!
That was my dad's other favorite song!
I was a young girl when this song was popular. My Dad had a beautiful low baritone voice and loved to sing along with the radio. Sweet memory, thanks.
My dad too and then fussed because he was a true bass.
Tennessee Ernie has a golden voice and has lots of great songs! Has done a lot of Gospel, country and bluesy songs. Def need to do more from hime!!!!
You’re right Van, I just looked up SMOOTH in the dictionary:
smooth
/smo͞oT͟H/
Adjective
1. having an even and regular surface or consistency; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations "smooth flat rocks like when you load 16 tons”
2. (of movement) without jerks. Like when Tennessee Ernie Ford sings “16 Tons”
Verb
1. Completing a task with such grace and fluidity that the onlooker will lose appreciation for how difficult a task it really was. Like when LFR family be doing those reaction videos.
I've Loved this song for more than 40 years. "one fist of iron, the other of steel if the right one don't get you then the left one will" true OG line right there!!
If you like a deep Bass voice, you need to watch Geoff Castellucci's version of this song. He takes deep to a whole new level.
Enjoyed your reaction to this, as always. Loved when you just went off, lol! His voice was special, and I loved how he didn't try to impress with vocal tricks so much as just the his voice showcase itself naturally. Have a good week, and thanks again for a great reaction.
Loved your lyrics!
I’m aging myself..but this was one of my grandmother’s favorite songs..she would play that vinyl til it was paper thin!🤦🏽♀️. Now I have a whole new appreciation for it!
Van, you have to check out the episode of I Love Lucy called "Tennessee Ernie Visits" (season 3 episode 10). He was in three episodes as Lucy's country cousin.
Van....now that you've heard this song you must listen to Geoff Castalucci's (bass singer from Voiceplay) cover of 16 tons. He drops some bombs in it that'll just make you happy.
Yes!!!!
I came here to say this exact thing!!!! 💯💯💯
How much you enjoy it just shines through your face!!! This made me smile so much!! Thank you!
I used to listen to this man when I was young, and I just love him. Here, he was singing about coal miners, and their deplorable working conditions. They (and their families) lived in poor housing owned by the mine. All supplies (groceries, everything) was bought at the mine-owned general store. If you had to get supplies before payday, you get it "on credit", and it came out of your check. It really was a dismal situation as you could never get ahead, or even catch up.
Dude, as an an old school rap/heavy metal fan, this is probably one of my favorite songs
This is one of the very best songs in the world, EVER. Seriously, nobody can not snap their fingers listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford. Loved your reaction!
Back in the old days the COAL MINE COMPANY or the REFINING COMPANY or what ever may Own A Store where They Sold Products for CASH or on COMPANY CREDIT and during the depression many people owed the store HENCE I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE.
He was one of my grandmother's favorites. One word, "Smooth!"
Every song he performed and every word he spoke was pure gold ! He was my favorite as a child. We were raised seventh day Adventist and my parents were very strict with music choices. 🎶 He was always playing in the car or home. Great worm hole to explore. Phenomenal
True in the 50s and it’s true today. You work, work, work, another day older and deeper in debt. The rich get away with not paying taxes, so if you’re poor, you say poor.
Love that you found this. I heard this song over 60 years ago and have never forgotten it. Nobody will ever do it better. Just one of those songs done best the first time.
You put a big smile on my face this morning. Thank you
Jeff Beck and ZZtop have a kick ass version of this. They are paying tribute to Tennessee Ernie Ford.
That reminds me Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart have an awesome song called “People Get Ready”… for the train to Jordan. It’s a mainstream gospel song, the video is amazing, they played it on MTV all the time when it came out(80s). Van please react to this song 🙏🏼
You should check out Eric Burdon's version.
It's really awesome!
"Saint Peter don't you call me, cos I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store"
Saint Peter is the one that greets the souls at heaven's gate
I can tell how much you enjoyed this one!
Song is about a coal miner.
I grew up in eastern Kentucky with this song playing on my grandparent's AM radio next door, my grandpa being a lifelong coal miner. Singer/songwriter Merle Travis wrote and then released it in 1947 (it became a gold record for him), then Tennessee Ernie Ford turned it into a mega-hit in 1955, occupying the Billboard country chart's number 1 for 10 weeks, followed by 8 weeks on their pop chart's number 1 spot, and even holding number 1 in the UK Singles Chart for 4 weeks, over competing versions there! This song we just listened to, was all that!
The song's lyrics detail life as a coal miner in Muhlenberg County, KY, and include original quotes from Merle Travis' father and brother. Once, referring to the company's financially-ruinous (for the miners) practice of paying workers with an inflated form of in-house credit called _'scrip'_ (with which they were supposed to buy from the company's general store everything from housing to groceries to clothes, etc., building a mountain of debt they had no hope of ever paying off), Travis' father once told a neighbor, "I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the general store."
Travis also worked in a quote from his brother John who said, in a letter where he was describing the recent death of war correspondent Ernie Pyle, killed while covering combat, "It's like working in the coal mines. You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt."
And whatever their origin, those lyrics certainly rang true for my grandpa, who had known the crushing debt of the company store's 'scrip' system of payment, but who had also known the working man's well-deserved swagger of going down into a hole in the ground every day, putting in a _hard_ day's work, emerging with a thick layer of coal dust on (and in!) him, all to do his very best to take care of his family, or die trying!
Those are the heroes celebrated in _Sixteen Tons._ Not those carrying weapons into battle, or even firefighting equipment into burning buildings -- those brave souls are obviously deserving of the title. _Sixteen Tons_ celebrates another kind of hero: One who quietly took his lunch bucket from his pickup truck (well, his and the bank's), walked with a couple dozen other guys to the mouth of the mine, at an hour so early it was still dark, and as he was being lowered into the deep places of the earth, added a bit of water from his canteen to the dry, gray powder in his carbide lantern to create the flammable gas, screwed it tight and hit the striker with its customary loud POP! to ignite the small white flame that would be his only source of light for the next 8 hours, the thought of that flame possibly igniting a pocket of methane in the mine never far from his thoughts, putting in the day's backbreaking labor, then home to family and rest, then to do it all again the next day. For the next 30 to 40 years. If he was lucky.
Heroes.
My dad and his brothers went into the Anthracite mines of Schuylkill County PA while they were still in their teens.
When WW2 came along, they went and enlisted to escape the mines.
My dad and one of his brothers made it home.
After the war, dad took up road construction.
He helped build the interstates.
He had a perpetual tan and his hair was bleached white from the sun.
16 Tons and King of the Road were his favorite songs.
Tennessee ERNIE FORD. I am extra proud of him. He is from Tennessee and so am I. His gospel music is wonderful.
That is my favorite work song...when I'm feeling down in the dumps. When I'm really busy, I prefer to hear The Spinners "Rubberband Man."
I love listening to these classics! Always have,evenhave a playlist just for them..some others on my playlist are El Paso-Marty Robbins,Big Bad John-Jimmy Dean,Mack The Knife-Bobby Darin..just a few 😀 Keep On Rockin'
All the details have been covered, so I will say that this song was playing on the radio in our house when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and yes, that voice! Oh, my! I also learned, because of this song and Big Bad John, about the coal mines and the people who lived in Appalachia. They have always been in my heart. I absolutely loved watching you hear this for the first time, you are a great reactor!
There is a story that Ernie went on tour to Russia. When he was introduced as Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Russians kept asking "WHO?" But when another Russian told everyone he was Sixteen Tons, all the Russians knew exactly who he was
This is great! My dad used to sing this song all the time. He had a beautiful deep voice. I sure do miss him.
Thanks for reminding me of my dad.❤
I worked in customer service at an FBO in Nashville where he chartered aircraft back in the 80's and 90's. Had many conversations with him while he was waiting on his plane, and of all the celebrities I had an opportunity to meet there, he was without a doubt one of the kindest most laid back and respectful gentleman to stand at my counter.
Ernie was a good ole mountain boy who sang Folk music and was quite a comedian. Every Thursday evening we watched The Tennessee Ernie Ford Variety show on the old black and white tv. That was in 1956 and ran about 4 or 5 years I think. I play the 45 record from time to time of his hit, Shotgun Boogie..which he wrote in 1949 ..Side 2 is She's My Baby, its a bit warped but still plays. It was country swing and I think you would like to here it. So glad you are delving into these long forgotten iconic song writers and singers.
My Dad would sing this song in the car when we would take a trip to town on Saturdays to buy supplies for his work. Brings back good memories.
I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie and watching him on television! So talented! There is a video on TH-cam of him performing a Christmas carol, with children seated around him. His young son starts his own reaction to his dad. It cracks up Tennessee Ernie so that he can hardly finish the song! Fun to watch! Also, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top does this song as a tribute to Tennessee Ernie, also on TH-cam and it is well worth watching!
He had his own TV variety show in the 1950's when I was a child. My family watched it all the time. As a little girl I had a crush on Tennessee Ernie Ford, I just loved his voice. I was 8 years old when "Sixteen Tons" was released in 1955
My mother used to work in a "company store in the late 1940 's - 1957. The manager of the store would not allow this song to be sold at the store. Also listen and react to Tennessee Ernie Ford's Christmas special where he sings Children Go Where I Send Thee. His children are among the other children on the set. See if you can pick them out. They're the funny ones. After all it was live TV. TOO CUTE!!!
I grew up on a poor farm in the 60's and 70's. This was a great song I remember from back then.
Grew up listening to and watching his TV show. Yes in black and white. I'm 73 and loved his variety show. You can catch clips of the show on TH-cam. My favorite is a Christmas show. He was singing to a group of children. The mistake was his son was one of the children. Live show and funniest I've ever seen.
A company store is a retail store selling a limited range of food, clothing and daily necessities to employees of a company. It is typical of a company town in a remote area where virtually everyone is employed by one firm, such as a coal mine. In a company town, the housing is owned by the company but there may be independent stores there or nearby.
❤❤❤❤❤ TEF is a legend. He has some great songs.
Love your reaction
Have to listen to Geoff Castellucis version now, its a must.
Tennessee Ernie Ford's 16 tons was on the radio every dry day when I was kid. Its about living in a Company Town, like I did, between the housing, store & tavern you pay check was gone every month before you got it. The Company owned it all, and paid in script, which was their own minted money, good only in their town.
Absolutely love this ...
Tennessee Ernie Ford is the best!
I'm so glad you liked this. He was one of my favorites.
Yeah, my grandfather worked in the lead mines in eastern Missouri from about 1890 to about 1905. My grandmother took in laundry from the miners, and between the two of them they managed to scrape together enough money to buy a little farm and raise five kids, including my mother. Tough life for tough people!
Coal miners and textile workers (cotton mill workers) were caught in a cycle (during and after the share-cropping days). They lived in "company-owned homes" and bought (on time) at the company store. Their wages weren't enough to pay the company what they owed for their necessary purchases. So, they were always in debt to the company store.
this and the company Store Concept reminds me "YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND LIKE IT".
...they really mean it.
Tennessee Ernie Ford is the native son from the same town I am from. Lots of stories about him. He was a true sweet heart of a man. We love him to this day. I worked on a renovation of the home he grew up in a couple of years ago. I could not be prouder.
glad you enjoyed one of favorite old singers. not only was Ford a good musician but he was also and Actor usually playing the "singing cowboy" role back in the day. he has a number of good songs well worth listening to
My parents had this record when I was a kid, but this was the song I remember the best. Love his voice!
This was my grandad's favorite singer. I remember hearing this song on his console stereo about 60 years ago. The song was old even then.
Thanks for a fun reaction! I remember this song from back when I was a little girl. I liked this song and Tennessee Ernie Ford back then and enjoyed him in the episodes of "I Love Lucy" as the eccentric cousin Ernie. I know you recently checked out a couple songs from Voice Play and liked their bass singer, Geoff Castellucci. Geoff covers this song quite well on his solo channel and I think you would really enjoy it.
I love him and the song. I was raised hearing it. My mom, dad and grandma listened to it long before I was born.
In 1990, the Oak Ridge Boys, a country music powerhouse of the time, came onstage and sang a quick sample of gospel, before launching into Sixteen Tons as a quartet. Ford was in the audience, and the Oaks got him out of the aidience to make then a quintet for one song. The Oaks, of course, have their own bass, Richard Sterban. Ford was clearly thrilled to be recognized, only to disciver he had been chosen for the Hall of Fame, and this was how hus surprise induction started.
Oh how I want to hear Tennessee Ernie Ford sing "Hit That Thang" in that voice of his!! 🤪
His television variety showwas great. He had guest stars, comedy skits and sang. Wish they had shows like that on now.
He had a great voice.Most singers that have a deep voice arent able to makes their words real clear,but he could.
He was an actor, comedian, and singer all wrapped into one. He was mega talented.
Love this reaction! Tennessee Ernie Ford played "Cousin Ernie" in several of the "I love Lucy episodes". He was so funny in that part and his speaking voice is nothing like his singing voice. My favorite is when they were traveling with the Mertzes and were jailed down south. The only way the Sheriff was going to was going to let them out, was for Ernie to marry one of his daughters, "Teensy' or "Weensy". Well, they walked in and were not teensy or weensy, so Ricky says " I won't let you do it boy"!! 😳
My classic rock band just learned this. We're gonna spring it on an audience this Friday. Our bass player has a great voice for this song. I can't wait to see the reaction.
UPDATE. The vocalist did great. I messed up the lick between verses a few times. Ugh. Audience was very forgiving.
Tennessee Ernie Ford had a prime-time variety program that ran 5 years. He did a lot of comedy too. My favorite was when he appearance as "Cousin Ernie" on the "I Love Lucy" Show.
Glad you enjoyed this one. He was born in my hometown Bristol Tennessee. When I was little he was someone we looked up to.
This was a hit when I was 11 years old. I just didn't realize how great it was. He did a similar song on his morning show on ABC, "Still Got So Terribly Far to Go."
As others have said Van, you really ought to look into more from Ernie. He's well-remembered here in Tennessee as a good man and an incredible talent. Ernie was one of the good ones.
This song is very famous and I remember hearing it from my earliest childhood. Great old song. The other comments will explain its meaning. 🌺✌️
Dude, you’re stylin’! Love that hat and shirt. Great reaction. I love everything about this song, Ernie’s voice, the rhythm, the lyrics. Perfection.
This guy is a comedian also and is hilarious!! He also does acting and appeared on some episodes of I Love Lucy as cousin Ernie. ❤
This is the original written by Merle Travis 1947 A big hit in 1955. There's a great cover by Geoff Castellucci (of HOME FREE). Tennessee Ernie Ford(2/13/1919-10/17/1991) known for his country and western and gospel songs, also had his own TV show in 50's and did a little acting. ( In those days didn't throw their underwear.)
I love that you can't listen without a smile and toe tapping.
i came across this song in the 70s when i was a teenager, i thought with the deep voice it was a black singer, i loved it but i was only 14, always loved music that was not from my generation. loved your singing.
You are definitely the star of these videos! No matter who you are reacting to, I watch you and not them. You are fantastic!
I'm 30. Loved hearing this song coming on the radio growing up.
My dad loved it too, and would often sing the "one fist of iron" verse, as he'd double up his fists and shadow box at me. Lol
Well, bless your little pea pickin' heart for reacting to this song. ""Bless your little pea-pickin' heart" was a catch phrase coined by Tennessee Ernie Ford, a country singer and entertainer, in the middle of the last century."
You need to look up Jimmy Dean and "Big John". same style as Tennessee Ernie Ford and another great song.
Ford had a t.v. show back in the 1950's. My family watched it every week. One week he sang Chidren go where I send thee, with a group of children it did not go well.
The song was about coal mining. Ernie studied several years at a prestigious musical conservatory. He is classically trained. This song was one of the biggest hits in the fifties. A really good song he did was SHENANDOAH. You should listen to his gospel songs like PEACE IN THE VALLEY. He was a true crossover artist.
Love the song and the reaction! No other voice sounds like his....
You crazy! You made me smile first thing in the morning. Love watching you. Keep up the good work. Thank you for the pick me up. Peace.
Ernie Ford was also an actor and appeared several times on The Andy Griffith Show as well as other tv shows.
I just found you. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I remember my dad singing along and loving it. Thanks for the memory. ❤ You were TOO FUNNY!