Letters Have No Arms
| "Letters Have No Arms" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ernest Tubb | |
| Released | 1950 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:07 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriters | Ernest Tubb, Arbie Gibson |
"Letters Have No Arms" is a country music song written by Ernest Tubb and Arbie Gibson and popularized in a single sung by Tubb. It was released on the Decca label (no. 46207) with "I'll Take a Back Seat for You" as the "B" side. It peaked in February 1950, reaching No. 2 on the country juke box chart, No. 3 on the disc jockey chart, and No. 5 on the best sellers chart.[1] It spent 17 weeks on the charts and was ranked No. 23 on the Billboard Top Country & Western Records of 1950.[2][1]
The lyrics tell of receiving a letter from a distant sweetheart. While the letter cheered him, he gets so lonesome and letters have no arms and never bring him the touch of her hand or her sweet loving charms.
The song has been covered by multiple artists, including Ray Price,[3] Faron Young,[4] George Hamilton IV,[5] Del McCoury,[6] Billy Byrd, the Osborne Brothers,[7] and Vernon Oxford.[8]
The song was also included on multiple compilations albums, including "The Ernest Tubb Story" (1959)[9] "Country Music Hall of Fame Series" (1987),[10] and "The Definitive Collection" (2006).[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b Joel Whitburn (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. Billboard Books. p. 329. ISBN 0823076326.
- ^ "The Year's Top Country & Western Records" (PDF). The Billboard. January 13, 1951. p. 19. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Ray Price Sings Heart Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Pen and Paper". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "Mister Sincerity ... A Tribute to Ernest Tubb". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "The Del McCoury Band – Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass". Discogs. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "The Ernest Tubb Song Folio". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "His & Hers". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "The Ernest Tubb Story". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Country Music Hall of Fame". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ^ "The Definitive Collection". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026.