Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Evokes Sadness from Goodbye

Gene Watson was introduced to the country music in the mid-seventies to hold the banner of “real country” rooted from George Jones and Ray Price in the fifties and sixties. His kind of music may have included some alterations but the real essence and quality of country sound weren’t altered. He updated the genre with lyrical and musical tweaks that added to the classic effect of the sound.

To remember, Watson first created a mark on the chart with his smash hit “Love in the Hot Afternoon,” in 1975. The track reached number three on the Billboard. He became a figure on the chart since then. He has shared songs with different themes until the 2010’s. One of his songs that did not just mark the chart but also marked on the heart of music lovers is “Farewell Party.”

Farewell Party 

Lawton Williams wrote and first recorded the song in 1960, and Little Jimmy Dickens followed the song after a year. Watson’s version was released in February 1979 as the second single from his album Reflections. Aside from peaking at Number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, country fanatics consider the track as Watson’s signature song. After the song’s success, Watson named his band Farewell Party Band.

Watson narrated that he sang the song in clubs for several years before he put it into a record. He believed that many would be delighted if he releases the song as a single off his album that year. The song’s theme may be sad but a lot would relate to the feeling of loneliness whenever someone is set to say goodbye. As you listen to the song, you can’t help but remember the people who parted ways with you.

Awards and Achievements 

Gene Watson was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. Also, he was honored at the Houston Music Hall of Fame in August 2013. He shared his music for over 4 decades. He notched five Number 1 songs, 23 on the top 10 and over 76 singles that landed on the chart.