Introduction:
“Fly Trouble” is a novelty song written by Fred Rose, Bunny Biggs, and Honey Wilds and recorded by country music legend Hank Williams. Released in 1947 as the B-side to “On the Banks of the Old Ponchartrain,” it stands as a curious outlier in Williams’s otherwise poignant and melancholic catalog.
The song’s origins lie in the world of vaudeville and minstrel shows. Biggs and Wilds, known professionally as Jamup and Honey, were a popular blackface comedy duo who often incorporated musical numbers into their routines. Their humorous lyrics, filled with exaggerated Southern dialect and playful rhymes, likely served as the foundation for “Fly Trouble.”
Williams’s rendition, while showcasing his signature vocal stylings, presents a stark contrast to his more heartfelt ballads. The upbeat tempo and lighthearted lyrics offer a glimpse into a different side of the singer, one that embraced humor and playful absurdity.
Despite its unconventional nature for Williams, “Fly Trouble” provides a fascinating window into the evolving landscape of country music in the mid-20th century. It reflects the influence of vaudeville and popular music on the genre, while also hinting at the commercial pressures that sometimes steered artists towards novelty songs.
While “Fly Trouble” may not be among Williams’s most celebrated works, it remains a valuable piece of his discography, offering a unique and unexpected glimpse into the multifaceted talents of this country music icon.