B-side "Over the River" Recorded May 13, 1937 Length 3:03 | Released June 1937 Genre Country | |
Format 10" single (Decca-5383) | ||
"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin
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A standard of country music, the tune was covered by diverse acts. Jimmie Davis' 1939 version became a hit, while it was covered by diverse country acts.
Writing and original recording
In 1937, singer-songwriter Rex Griffin wrote "The Last Letter" while he was living in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was inspired to write the song after he was left by his wife. The lyrics told the story of a suicide letter, written by an older man directed to a younger woman. It described his bitterness, and pain for the end of their romance.
Griffin recorded "The Last Letter" during a New York session on May 13, 1937. The single, backed with "Over the River" on the flipside was released the same year on Decca Records. Despite that "The Last Letter" turned into a hit, the poor sales of Griffin caused his dismissal by the label. The song became later considered a standard of Country music.
Cover versions
Country singer Jimmie Davis recorded the song again in 1939, turning it again into a hit. It was covered as well by The Blue Sky Boys and The Carter Family.
In 1963, Ernest Tubb recorded a cover version for his Rex Griffin tribute album Just Call Me Lonesome. The song was recorded at Bradley's Barn Studio on April 19, 1962, produced by Owen Bradley Tubb, who was influenced by Griffin, had originally learned the song and others by Griffin that he would often perform. Both singers toured together, remaining friend until Griffin's death in 1958. The same year, Willie Nelson recorded the song. Capitol Records released the song as the flipside of the single "Half a Man".
The following year, Jack Greene released his version of the song on the album Ernest Tubb Presents the Texas Troubadours, becoming after its success a solo act. "The Last Letter" was also covered by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell.
Bob Dylan's To Ramona is a nod to Rex Griffin and his song The Last Letter.