Saturday 9

 
Saturday 9: If You've Got the Money (1950)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this week's song, Lefty Frizzell is eager to go out on the town and hit all the night spots. What are your plans for the weekend? I have nothing special planned. Which makes me happy. I've been pretty social lately -- this week I went out twice and I have dinner plans next Wednesday -- and I'm trying to save money for my upcoming vacation. The TCM Film Festival is less than a month away!

I was at this screening in 2023. Can you see me?

2) He tells his girl he'd rather ride in her Cadillac than his old car. Back in the 1950s, Caddys were quite the status symbol. Lefty bought a white one with the profits from this record. Elvis also had a fondness for Cadillacs and preferred pink. Have you ever owned a Cadillac? Nope. My dad loved big cars and he loved the blue/white one we had when I was a little girl. But I'm not a car person, and I couldn't have cared less.

3) Lefty was a big deal in Big Spring, TX. He was a popular attraction at local bars, a favorite among oil workers who liked to unwind by listening to live music. How do you relax after a tough day? My workday ends at 2:00 in the afternoon. I like to take an afternoon nap when I get home. Just about an hour. Then I feel refreshed for the evening.

4) This was Lefty's first hit. He wrote "If You've Got the Money" and recorded a demo for producer Jim Beck to play for established singers. When no one else wanted to record it, Beck decided to give Lefty a shot. The result was a million seller that spent 22 weeks on the country charts. Tell us about someone who took a chance on you. My boss, CeeCee, at the card shop. I had no retail experience when she hired me. It's been four months and there are some things I do well, and some things I still struggle with. She has been very patient with me.

5) After this record became a hit, success came quickly to Lefty, perhaps too fast. He signed conflicting contracts with promoters and managers which resulted in lawsuits. Have you recently consulted a lawyer or had a document notarized? No, but I do need to get a form notarized. I think. When I die, I don't want to be buried or cremated. I want my leftovers put to good use by letting future doctors dissect me. I've downloaded and completed the forms that spell out my wishes but I haven't signed them yet because one needs to be witnessed and the other needs to be notarized and that's a lot of work when you're as lazy as I am.

6) This song hit number one on the country charts twice: first this version and then in 1976 by Willie Nelson. Do you have a favorite Willie Nelson song? Yes, but not by Willie.

7) In 1950, when this song was popular, Americans began using credit cards. Do you pay with a credit card to get rewards? If yes, what rewards are you accumulating (cash back, airline miles, etc.)? I am a miles junkie. I also take e-rewards surveys to earn miles.

8) Also in 1950, Sears Roebuck and Co. acknowledged a major spike in catalog sales and took the unusual move of devoting the cover of their Spring/Summer catalog to their "satisfaction guarantee." This was meant to allay the fear of customers uncomfortable with ordering by mail instead of buying in person. 74 years later, Amazon delivers more than 3 million packages every day. Would you rather check out a product yourself in a store, or do you prefer the convenience of ordering from home? Yes to both. For an expensive item, I like to see it and touch it before I buy. But for other things, I like the convenience of clicking when my online cart is full.

9) Random question -- You're singing along with the car radio to your favorite song when you reach your destination. Do you wait until your song is over to get out of the car? I don't have a car. But I do listen to my shower radio every day and sometimes I'll enjoy the water a little longer to hear the end of a song.