On This Day in 1955, George Jones Recorded the Song That Became His First Hit Before Being Covered by Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, and Roger McGuinn
George Jones recorded “Why Baby Why” in Houston on 27 August 1955, and the song became his first national country-chart hit. Its success marked an important early breakthrough for Jones, who would later be regarded as one of country music’s leading vocalists, while also highlighting his ability as a songwriter.
Co-written with Darrell Edwards, the single was released by Starday on 17 September 1955 and rose from local Houston airplay to No. 4 on Billboard’s country chart. A competing duet by established artists Red Sovine and Webb Pierce reached No. 1 instead, but Jones’s song later attracted versions by performers including Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Roger McGuinn and Patty Loveless; Pride’s live recording reached No. 1 in 1983.
- “Why Baby Why” gave George Jones his first national country hit.
- Jones’s original reached No. 4 in 1955.
- Charley Pride later topped the chart with a live cover.