Diana Williams - Teddy Bears Last Ride 1976 (Truck Driver Songs)

Capitol Records - Diana Williams - Teddy Bears Last Ride 1976
The Follow-Up To Red Sovine "Teddy Bear".
Not long after "Teddy Bear" peaked in popularity, singer Diana Williams (who was signed to Capitol Records) released a song called "Teddy Bear's Last Ride." This story, told from the point of view of a friend of Teddy Bear's mother (who cared for the lad while the mother was at work), suggests that the boy's paraplegia is part of a terminal health condition, one that eventually kills him. The song's ending has a group of truck drivers attending the boy's funeral, with one of the semitrailer trucks serving as the hearse. This song was also recorded by Nev Nicholls.

[@terrygreene4966]

When I was 12 I called dj ask him to play teddy bear teddy last ride the dj lost his job I heard them talk on the radio bout kid who called in had those 2 songs play he broke the rule no back 2 back tear songs I had my mom take me to radio station to explain I just wanted to record them so icould put my ear piece in go hide in closet hear those songs I didn't want anyone see me cry he got his job back they gave me copy's of those songs

[@ashurarcher63]

Bless your heart.

[@attygarland6909]

Yeah, back in the '70s (when I was DJing at radio stations) we had some weird "rules" to follow, thanks to the station's program director. One back then was no back to back songs by female vocalists. The idea was they were to be like "sweetening", to be sprinkled in intermittently among the (male) vocal tunes, I guess. We also had some tunes that, despite the fact they were by mainstream artists, we were not to ever play on the air, at risk of being fired. Usually those were tunes that contained profanity, but one I remember off the top was a flip side by Crystal Gayle (IIRC, the flip side to "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue") called, "If You Didn't Want to Start a Fire (Why Did You Strike the Match)?". I guess it was the veiled reference to a sensitive part of the female anatomy in the title that made it taboo. However, it was no problemo playing "Della & the Dealer" by Hoyt Axton, which was nothing but a blatant tune about a drug dealer and various other characters and their pets, or the album version of Charlie Daniels Band's tune "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", which contained the utterance "son of a bitch" in it. Go figure.

[@peterdavissr4657]

Theres nothing wrong with the song, its just a response song to the crippled boy who enjoyed truckers and loved his daddy And misses him. 😢 shouldn't have been banned at Awesome song and ill keep listening to it after Red Sovines Teddy Bear song its an impressive story thank you truckers for all you do, im one myself ❤❤

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

Two of my uncles were truckers. And my sister and I only rode with truckers, when we hitchhiked across country a couple times. Very trustworthy! The only time we didn’t ride in a truck was with a couple with a baby. The husband tried to … well, I won’t finish it here, but you can guess the rest, I’m sure.

[@tamolynjessieanthony-clark5110]

I worked for Diana many years ago when she and her husband Larry Williams were in Irving Texas. What a sweet, gentle, soul she was. One night we were going to a honky tonk and her hair was perfect, I complemented her on it, she said "Thanks, next time you can wear it"😂 One of a kind lady!

[@donyancey1293]

can't remember the first time I heard this song, but I'm 58 and I cry my eyes out every time. life is short, enjoy life and each other as much as possible, because you never know when it's your time on this big blue planet.

[@modeladenny1218]

82 and parked the rig long ago. Still get up every mornin and play some truckin tunes. After 62 years my wife left and has a place saved for me in heaven. That is if this imaginary KW heads that way.

[@jakkiannstephens4270]

I have tears in my eyes every time I hear Diana's version

[@michaellaird5443]

@@jakkiannstephens4270 swede

[@needsumluv]

Still to this very day im in floods of tears when i hear this song

[@patrickfrazier864]

I was there that day and I saw her cry After Mama Teddy Bear said, "Ten-four and goodbye" She turned off the old CB and just looked at me And her heart overflowed and her tears ran free And the gratitude shone in her face like the sun For all the things those big tough truckers had done A handful of change and a few dollar bills But most of all, a little crippled boy's dream fulfilled I guess I was Mama Teddy Bear's best friend I lived next door to her and little Teddy Bear since I don't know when And that's why now, before my memory grows old The rest of this story just has to be told I'd come over and sit with Teddy Bear while his Mama was away And play little games to help him pass the day In the afternoons he'd wheel that chair Over by the radio and he'd go on the air And one by one he'd break 'em all I never knew a trucker not to answer his call He'd just grin and ask me not to tell his Mom But I was pretty sure she knew what was going on But time has a way of taking its toll And much too fast, Mama Teddy Bear was growing old I watched as the silver touched her hair And her one aim in life was Teddy Bear And then I saw another change take place Little Teddy Bear was slowly losing the race I knew it, and his Mama knew it too And there was nothing in this whole world either one of us could do He talked less often on the old CB And there were times when he'd hardly talk with me He took to sitting in the window and watching the road And the big eighteen-wheelers rolling by with their load Finally he was too weak to get out of bed And one day he looked at me and said "Would you turn on the radio and go on the air And tell all my trucker friends what's happened to Teddy Bear" Well, the hardest thing I've done in my time Was to pick up that mike and say, "Break one-nine This is for all you truckers who care I'm calling for your little friend, Teddy Bear" "He says to tell you he misses you all And he's awful sorry he can't answer your calls" They all came back and joked with me And said they'd catch him later on the old CB They never did catch Teddy Bear again 'Cause late one night the Angel came And the last thing he said before he died was "Tell all my trucker friends how I enjoyed the rides" Mama Teddy Bear couldn't tell 'em, and neither could I 'Cause each time we'd look at that radio, we'd both start to cry The funeral was preached at the chapel And Little Teddy Bear started on his last ride As the procession rounded the little city square The sounds of a hundred engines filled the air The truckers had dropped their trailers back somewhere behind And one by one they fell in line They all tried to comfort Mama Teddy Bear And it seemed like the warmth of God just filled the air Slowly they formed a circle 'round the little grave, and a lot of big men cried That day as they paid their last respects on Teddy Bear's last ride

[@Josh31287]

As someone who can't walk this song makes me cry.

[@davidpickering7430]

My handle was the Dream Weaver 1974 to 1977 then I laid in Denver met some lady and changed my world

[@warrenhennessy7684]

I'm from Australia AND l remember l heard teddy bear 🐻 we'll lwas little My SELF cos people today don't know how lucky they are and I cried l Will never forget teddy bear 🐻 songs even today I still cry when I hear them lrember My Good freind David Matthews put the cassette on Red sovine that little boy will be with the beautiful Lord in heaven God bless you all from warren and ingrid Australia in Melbourne Australia God bless the truckies as well

[@geraldmurphy1428]

I've listened to these Songs over and over. My prayers for Teddy Bear and all you Truckers for all the Hard work you do to help with all the supplies we need. A-men.

[@2019_ford_flex]

I’m 15 years old and I still cried

[@connie40star]

My daddy was a trucker. I remember him using a cb. Hearing this, I could just picture my dad being part of that procession.

[@melvinportell7062]

Wow. I've listened to the original by Red Sovine for 40 years. I just now found out about this one.

[@geraldmurphy1719]

Gerald murphy. My thanks to all you truckers, you do more than drive a truck, you go out of your way to kept our country moving along to kept things running smoothly. God bless you all .

[@janvanee6266]

Jan smit

[@janvanee6266]

Muziek jan Smit

[@dorothylilly6481]

Thank you

[@Ghost931]

Recently found out this is my grandmother on my mother's side. Neat.

[@filegurl]

VERY NEAT! Thats really cool and certainly something to be proud of!

[@tamolynjessieanthony-clark5110]

I worked for Diana doing publicity for her in around 1982 in Irving Texas. What a beautiful lady!!! Her husband Larry Williams was drummer in Hank Williams Sr. Band, and was close to Hank Jr.🎉

[@TheCherrybomb0824]

being a trucker i love this song

[@user-xp9qm4bz1s]

This is one of my late dad favourite songs it makes me me cry when ever I hear teddy bear red sovine this is my song to remember how.much I love my dad

[@virginiahoneycutt2342]

I was problems 5, we traveled a lot, and she loved her "TIME ON THE ROAD" GOD BLESS!

[@joyclinmoss9421]

I have listed to this so many times and every time I would cry. But then I really and truly just notice the year 1976 that's my birth year. My angel's name is teddy bear 🙏

[@virgilbeckley3756]

red did another song to follow teddy bear called [ little joe ]

[@harleygirl68ca]

2021 and still listening

[@modeladenny1218]

Yep. But the highway is gettin shorter and my signal's getting weaker. But I'm still looking for that girl wearin nothin but a smile and a towel in the picture on the billboard in the field along the big ole highway. Giddy Up Go ain't movin very fast to see Daddy's Girl and give roses to mama. Model T, truckin toward heaven.

[@bettyknowles8490]

So glad I found this I love to listen to teddy bear this got me crying 😢

[@BarryH1701]

THIS is how music should be! It tells a story, and in some cases, a very heartwrenching story that brings you to tears. The original Teddy Bear by Red Sovine and this follow-up by Diana Willliams are two of the greatest and most emotional songs ever recorded.

[@johnlovell1035]

Day is 2/3/22 and this was my first time hearing this song.

[@cherylmorales2868]

10/17/23. First time I heard this song. Beautiful tribute. I've loved Teddy Bear since I was 8 or so. 68 now

[@louisshabarekh2831]

Only one problem. Teddy bear didn't die. Listen to the song little Joe by red sovine. Teddy bear became a truck driver.

[@modeladenny1218]

Yea he did! I met him at Walcott, America's newest biggest truck stop on I-80. On the door of his Peterbilt was a sign GIDDY UP GO.

[@jerryrayhall3569]

Totally different kid bud.

[@juliebrtek4506]

Both music artist. Sound great Last Ride Teddy Bear Song. Thank you. Use listening on radio stations and late Red S. Greatest hits album. I hear both songs. Back then on radio stations Charts and late hours.

[@charlesandjenniferstettner2767]

I cried when they came out with this version of Teddy Bear

[@lesliejones2923]

The song reminds me of my dad

[@kevinswinyer3176]

Wow, this was the first time I ever heard this song, and I have to admit that it brought tears to my eyes, and at 57, I very rarely cry for any reason, but today, the tears flowed like water over a dam.

[@garyatkins7142]

OMG Thought Teddy Bear was the saddest country this got them beat 😭

[@juneleathers01]

This song is so good. It's so sad.

[@chriskinkead9045]

I. Can. Imagine. This. Happening. So. Very. Sad.

[@mattleinhauser9166]

This is such a wonderful song. Thank you sweetheart. I was a trucker for 27 years God bless.

[@brendawatson3367]

I. Am in tears what beautiful song

[@hughflournoy9215]

i used to have this song on a album called keep on trucking, that was sold through radio shack in the late 70's by the end of this song i would be in tears (because it's that sad).

[@modeladenny1218]

Radio Shack is gone. Most of the great truckin companies and great trucks are gone. It won't be long when us old truckers and country singers are gone. Maybe we'll meet in that great truck stop in the sky. If I'm there I'll buy ya a cup of coffee and some biscuits-n-gravy. Take care and enjoy your last ride. ........Model T.....

[@bryanmcwhite9335]

2022 Rules forever my wife Stella Mcwhite s Diana Williams and all the country singer s they play on k102 forever promise to god. Diana Fikes Pat benatar and all the rock n roll singer s they play on Kool 108 forever promise to god. Diana Williams queen of country. Pat benatar queen of rock n roll. Bye 👋 now 😁😷♥👍.

[@richardebelink4797]

At this song don't touch your heart nothing will

[@tharenhupp5860]

Lovely song but so sad I know a little boy like him from ohio God bless him

[@gregoryjamesdilmore6224]

I get teary eyed hearing this!

[@keithknott8307]

I can't remember how young I was the first time I heard "RED SOVINES-TEDDY BEAR". Then at the age of 19, I heard for the first time "RED SOVINES - LITTLE JOE". But now I'm 56, (57 in 3 weeks) and I can honestly say I have never heard the song before. It's extremely sad, But what's even more sad is: An American legend like "RED SOVINE" would take offense to this song? I've never heard of "DIANA WILLIAMS" or this song before. But I like the voice and heart she put in this. "Hmm" I wonder if RED SOVINE took offense to another lady ("MINNIE PEARLE") when she came up song to answer another RED SOVINE song: "RED - GIDDYUP GO", "MINNIE - GIDDYUP GO".

[@bwilliams463]

Goddam ninjas sneakin' in and cutting up onions...*sniff*

[@clintonopmainz3000]

Great song

[@noelkamp7897]

❤❤❤❤❤I tear up every time I hear both songs.

[@yorkshirequeen86]

This song destroys me each and everytime I hear this

[@daryltournier5168]

Love this

[@richardhoelscher5125]

I such a wonderful voice

[@RonaldMarshall-ew7ty]

Besttrickersongevry

[@mikecross137]

Love it

[@user-sd3cs9ni5u]

Sad song

[@tallpaul8017]

what ending to one true story

[@noreneKlinger]

Sorry if I'm goofing this up but its hard to see through my tears

[@RonniFay]

Great job Diana

[@whipbraughler4298]

HAVE NOT WITNESSED EVIDENCE THT STATEMENT HAS TAKEN PLACE AS STATED. DOES NOT FIT DESCRIPTION THT RED SOLVINE CAPABLE OF SUCH NEGATIVE PUBLICITY. DIANE WILLIAMS HAS CREATED A GREAT SONG THAT MATCHES " RED SOLVINE'S ""GIDDY UP GO"".

[@magbrown1]

So Sad,

[@daryltournier5168]

My dad song was teddy bear he passed 5 years ago

[@tamolynjessieanthony-clark5110]

😢

[@HrLBolle]

why does this song make me feel so cold from the inside?

[@williamweltman1279]

Sad ,😭

[@streetjunkie2086]

I think you missed the whole point of the story in the song. They only mention it once in the song of why the Seven Spanish Angels took an other Angel home. After the soldiers kill her Groom on their wedding day she raises the empty pistol and points it toward the soldiers, and the soldiers fire in response. She committed suicide because she could not live with out her husband.

[@jennifermarshall5826]

My brother was a trucker

[@MotherNatureschild3]

🙏💞😇

[@djangiebaby]

sad song but i love it being an ex c.b.e.r 💝

[@brianlykkebach8914]

Red Sovine has also sung it

[@brianlykkebach8914]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3aXmnWgo8uSb7s

[@daniellegault1212]

I love Red’s version better. It gets me everytime

[@martychrisman6291]

DIANE WILLIAMS WAS BANNED AFTER THIS SONG WAS RELEASED BECAUSE RED SOVINE OBJECTED TO TO THE IDEA OF TEDDY BEAR DYING, SO HE USED HIS INFLUENCE TO BASICALLY END HER RECORDING CAREER

[@modeladenny1218]

Teddy Bear became a trucker. He's still out there somewhere.

[@josephcook8264]

If that’s true, it’s absolutely pathetic, and diminishes my respect for Red.

[@tamolynjessieanthony-clark5110]

Spot on. I worked for her in 1982. She earned a gold record for the song, but could only get booked into honkey tonks. She and Sovine appeared on a trucker special tv show when her song was released, Sovine insisted she sing first. 😢

[@billpochron2320]

Check out Crippled Sick Chistmas Baby

[@user-sd3cs9ni5u]

That was cruel.of him.to.do this

[@RonniFay]

So sad Red should've gotten over it

[@user-ld5xt3vx5m]

I love Red but he screwed up for me

[@anthonyclarke1100]

🇧🇧😢😢😢😢

[@user-ld5xt3vx5m]

Red is a basturd for not finishing the song first.

[@garyatkins7142]

thats the problem with todays country you dont feel anything its just BLAH

[@ackack2560]

wow i love this.. I love how it is a follow up of Red Sovine.. Old and real country forever.

[@user-sd3cs9ni5u]

Sad song