B-side "Mom and Dad's Waltz" Format 7" single Length 3:10 | Released July 8, 1951 Genre Country | |
Recorded May 24, 1951
Jime Beck Studio; Dallas, TX | ||
"Always Late (with Your Kisses)" is a song co-written and recorded by country music artist Lefty Frizzell. It was the fifth single released from his 1951/1952 album Listen to Lefty. It peaked at number one in 1951 and became his fourth release to hit the top.
Contents
Recording and composition
During early 1951, Lefty Frizzell is enjoying the success followed by the smash hit debut: If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time). By this time, Frizzell and Hank Williams are the biggest names in country music. Frizzell would meet for another session on May 24, which capped off a single. Always Late (With Your Kisses) with the flip-side Mom and Dad's Waltz would be released in July and in August the single rose to the #1 slot on the US Country chart. The songs have since become instant Lefty classics.
The B-side of "Always Late with Your Kisses", entitled "Mom and Dad's Waltz" peaked at number two for eight weeks on the country chart. The song has been covered by many different artists, most credibly, long-time Lefty Frizzell friend, George Jones, who was greatly influenced by Frizzell. He covered the song in 1973 on his album titled: Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad as Losing You)
Cover version
George Jones covered the song for his 1973 album: Nothing Ever Hurt Me
Jo-El Sonnier covered the song in 1976. His version reached #99 on the U.S. country chart.
Merle Haggard covered the song in 2001 on his album Roots, Volume 1.
A version by Leona Williams charted in 1981, reaching #84 on the same chart.
Dwight Yoakam version
"Always Late with Your Kisses" was covered by country music artist Dwight Yoakam. It is the fourth and final single released from his 1987 album Hillbilly Deluxe. It peaked at #9 in the United States, and #5 in Canada.
Chart performance
The music video was directed by Sherman Halsey.