Kitty Wells, born Muriel Ellen Deason in 1919, was a pioneering force in country music. Known as the “Queen of Country Music,” she broke barriers for women in a genre dominated by male voices. Before her rise to fame, female country singers were often relegated to singing backing vocals or novelty songs. Wells, however, paved the way for future generations of female artists with her honest and relatable storytelling. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, solidifying her legacy as a legend.
Her groundbreaking 1952 hit, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” ignited a firestorm of both controversy and support, catapulting her to national fame. The song was an answer record to Hank Thompson’s hit “The Wild Side of Life,” which blamed women for men’s infidelity. Wells’ assertive lyrics flipped the script, arguing that men were equally responsible for the temptations found in honky tonks. She boldly proclaimed that heartbroken women, disillusioned by unfaithful men, were the true “honky tonk angels.”
The song’s message resonated deeply with many women, who felt their voices were finally being heard in a genre that often portrayed them in a negative light. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” became a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard country chart and making Wells the first female artist to achieve this milestone. While some radio stations initially banned the song due to its perceived controversial content, the public’s overwhelming support proved its popularity and societal relevance. It became an anthem of female empowerment and a turning point for women’s representation in country music.
