Tom T. Hall - America The Ugly

[@James-gp2uf]

This song gets more and more relevant everyday.

[@ACcountryFan]

R.I.P. Tom T. Hall (May 25, 1936 - August 20, 2021). I've liked the songs of Tom T. for many, many, many years. I first heard of him by way of his television commercials that used to air in my area in the early/mid 1980s for Tyson Chicken. I have several Tom T. Hall CDs and digital albums in my collection. The first song of his that I heard was "I Love". It was on a various artists compilation vinyl album on K-Tel Records that my grandparent's owned. A local Classic Country radio station in my area often plays Tom T.'s single releases as well as album tracks...it's where I first heard the song "Trip to Hyden" as well as other album songs: "Ballad of Bill Crump", "Turn It On, Turn It On, Turn It On", "Rolling Mills of Middletown", "Country Cabin-Itus", "Don't Forget the Coffee, Billy Joe", and the equally marvelous "Tulsa Telephone Book".

[@SaturdaySportsman1]

We need to listen to this song again today.

[@johnlewandowski8624]

TOO REAL!! AS PATRIOTIC as I AM, I CAN handle this piece of truth!

[@kaabe41]

i enjoy Tom T Hall so much. Though when i listen to him, i always cry because it makes me think of my father. Brutal, but thank you to my Dad, we listened together. I miss him

[@loxleymoon]

I know my old friend Noah Kudlu would have loved this song. RIP. I wish I could have showed it to him so he could proceed to play it all day.

[@lowellmorse6723]

I AM one of the biggest Tom T Hall fans there is. I know all His songs forward and back. He is a muscial song writing hero to me. But now as I look back , I feel like those 5 week old kittens....Once your eyes open you see..,I truely love Tom T Hall and all of his songs. I Love You "T"...can't imagine life without ye

[@thomasgreene3633]

I am a session picker, ascap writer, producer, and artist. Woodie Guthrie, Kris, and Tom T. Hall are the three best writers in your lifetime. Look back and forward, listen to the past and the future. Make America Great again is nothing but the American people being conned. When we come back together as a people, respect each other, pay a decent wage and dethrone these rich scoundrels, and make them pay for what they get like the rest of us. Take back our free press, and act like human beings. UNTIL THEN WE ARE AMERICA THE UGLY.

[@bobke114]

Tom T is a very smart fellow.

[@elainegoodwin1436]

In the '70's, we'd be partying & I'd pull out a Tom T. album. All my hippy friends thought he was a folk singer, playing protest and Americans songs. They were thankful I wasn't gonna force them to that country music stuff I liked. 😁

[@carmellahaight6856]

Tom t. Hall's songs are cut from the cloth of America.

[@MrRazorblade999]

I challenge any big country artist of today to do a cover of this song live.

[@janitorbill7654]

D'Ascoyne no one has the balls these days

[@bwilliams463]

They wouldn't get past the title without a total shitstorm.

[@donbrumfield7247]

@@janitorbill7654 said but true

[@libertyann439]

Would never get on the radio!📻

[@wiscgaloot]

Iris Dement has her own version and performs it regularly, "Wasteland of the Free". She is one of my heroes for that reason.

[@mikesunra1]

Damn, I miss you so much already Mr. Hall.

[@robbabcock_]

I grew up listening to Tom T Hall. I was raised in a cow-town in flyover country and my parents were country fans. The stuff we had on 8-track was the stuff he's widely known for, the funny and touching songs about small town life. Now that he's gone, in a fit of nostalgia I've gone back to his works and was surprised to this another side that I never knew before. This really wouldn't have been out of the wheelhouse of Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan. Songs like Clayton Delaney also have that tinge of world weary sadness that I was too young to understand back in the 70s. RIP, Mr. Hall. You will be missed but your music will surely live on.

[@ACcountryFan]

If people are familiar with former WSM disc jockey, Eddie Stubbs, he used to use the phrase "deep catalog". Well, if people go deep catalog with Tom T. Hall and listen to his album tracks, that is, the songs not released as singles, you'll hear a lot of social commentary wrapped up in his signature delivery style. "One Hundred Children", which was a single release, happened to be social commentary without the stinging bite, unlike "America, The Ugly" or other songs like "Greed Kills More People Than Whiskey", "Watergate Blues", and "The Monkey That Became President". He also recorded a song about racism called "The Man Who Hated Freckles" in which Tom T. rejects hatred and bigotry.

[@jayjaynella4539]

@@ACcountryFan I like to think TT had as many if not more double sided hit singles than CCR and the Beatles combined. Many many of my Fav songs of his are on LPs not singles. Once upon a road and Little Brown Suitcase come to mind.

[@7550375503]

Tom T. was at the top of his game. Strong vocal & in pitch too.

[@bonnieauvenshine8178]

Tom was kinda my uncle. Lived with my Dad's family in Olive Hill Kentucky. Wish I could meet him. My dad thought the world of him. Even played for some of his records so I understand.

[@deacon6967]

Excellent. Can't believe I never heard this before.

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Been a fan of his since I was a kid in the 70s never heard this until today!! So true today!!!

[@williamhall7349]

Was just thinking the exact same thing because I know all the rest by heart

[@Dana-bp1hk]

Thank you for this post. I had never heard this before. I admired Tom T. Hall but didn't have a chance to listen to everything he wrote. This song touched my heart. Let's MAGA!

[@baldy194859]

we lost America and we need to get it back ! I remember better days and these aren't them !

[@dullvoicereader]

We lost it before you were born

[@ZedemMonk]

Just as true, if not more so today near 60 years later.

[@patriciajrs46]

I truly miss Tom T Hall. He was such a good singer and writer. This is a song of perspective. It's all a matter of how you see the world. It can be both.

[@billnell6]

Me too! My mom ad dad almost killed themselves taking care of their three children. We all pulled cotton, hoe'd cotton,worked at dad's gas station or the cotton gin. I didn't get parts in school because of my clothes. Neither did my brother or sister. But you know what, I spent 28 yrs. as a Texas State Trooper, My brother is a millionaire my sister is retired and doing well. And oh yeah. I retired from my troopers job and have been a pastor the past eleven yrs. We kept Jesus in our. Lif

[@walterkersting1362]

billy sellers see?

[@sartainja]

Great story.

[@RONNEY123ful]

billy sellers We need that spirit today 🙏🏼

[@antoniogomez6010]

billy sellers God bless you. I’m a pastor also

[@daledebord4530]

This is a awesome song ..

[@williamkimbler1375]

How prophetic, look when it was recorded and then look out your window.

[@sartainja]

William Kimbler Unfortunately, not a damn thing has changed for the better after all the time and money spent.

[@dappy848]

Look out your window today

[@williamkimbler1375]

@@dappy848 6 yrs ago I wrote that, now look at how foolish and embarrassing our president is and disgraceful our country is becoming.

[@ifthethunderdontgety]

@@williamkimbler1375 Six years ago? There's a direct line from Ronald Wilson Reagan to Donald Trump Jr. As for the so-called opposition, the unDemocratic Party...they are paid to lose. Like the Washington Generals vs. the Harlem Globetrotters. ~

[@keithschmidt6418]

I'm an Aussie and i can see what Tom.T saw, great song, RIP SIR.

[@jacquelinefidler4255]

America has indeed lost its shine but I have no doubt we will make her pretty again. Have faith...hold on...do your part! God WILL Bless America again!!

[@roberthill799]

People waiting on non-existent gods instead of taking action is a huge part of the problem here.

[@hobertlee7598]

Never Heard This Song Before,Very Good Song

[@ConnorLouJones]

This is such a good song.

[@terryl.holloway4067]

More meaning today than there ever was! I think there could be a few new verses added unfortunately.

[@daledebord4530]

Great songs and bring a tear in your eyes.yep ndeed

[@RONNEY123ful]

This song tells it as it is 😎

[@muttmollett533]

ICONIC FANTASTIC.

[@preschoolguy2010]

17 February 1970 Monument Recording Studio, 114 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN - Tom T. Hall (Tom T. Hall [vcl], Jerry Kennedy [gt], Ray Edenton [gt], Randy Scruggs [gt/banjo], Chip Young [gt], Harold Bradley [bass gt], Pete Drake [steel], Bob Moore [bass], Buddy Harman [drums], Hargus Pig Robbins [piano], Charlie McCoy [harmonica]. Producer: Jerry Kennedy)

[@albertmalouff8779]

Fitting 😮

[@augusthulse6566]

don't get me wrong, I love America, its beautiful, but I can be real ugly at times

[@renots365]

More true then ever. 2020

[@sartainja]

We still have the same issues 35 years after this song. I do not think we will ever solve these issues.

[@ChristianAmericanMan]

Jesus said the poor will always be with us. If the Son of God said that, I think you have a valid point.

[@roberthill799]

Unfortunately, it also looks like religion will always be with us.

[@stevenadkins9369]

This man predicted the future

[@muttmollett533]

THE PIKEVILLE PROPHET

[@hobertlee7598]

Dang good song

[@TheFinnmacool]

Wow.

[@yinglyca1]

Good protest song!!!

[@glennsohm6643]

We may eventually change the better for all.

[@Alexis5293]

Rip Tom

[@stevebardill5784]

don't drink a half gallon of cheap whiskie and listion to Tom t hall all day

[@andrewp3538]

A 12 packs says I'm gonna

[@sartainja]

Please elaborate on your experience while under the influence of this substance and this music.

[@StevenSpolar]

Whoa sir, put down the gun and listen to the entire song. You are proof that some citizens of this country just get in the way of themselves and cannot be helped. This song is simply an account of what was seen, the raw truth unedited. The children may not have known they were poor, but the adults knew damn well and those that say they did not were in deep depths of denial. The politicians love citizens like you who refuse to see the truth - you deny there is anything wrong and they will too. .

[@babyblu76]

@Everett Crawford I dont think this should have even been said on here but no one but the mamas is to blame, if anyone for babys deaths. They did that before it was legal. The only difference is a lot died with the baby,but that's what you guys want,I understand that.you completely missed the meaning of the song.

[@keithschmidt6418]

Whoa is right, mamas or dads are not to blame for the situation, not just in america, it is the filthy rich corrupt pollies and people who have no sence to see the actual way it is and are just sheep, tom t sings and writes the truth.

[@josephteel6230]

after 70 80s real country music died.

[@sartainja]

A-fracking-men. Dead as a door nail.

[@hillbilliejo]

❤

[@cynthiaparris7549]

I love my Country, but mercy is it ever ugly today. Very sad to see America in the shape it's in. 😥

[@jimbo4589]

Sad to us who fought to not make it true.

[@kickapootrackers7255]

😆👍 thankya

[@francisalanwormald6328]

NEW TO ME>>>STRANGE BUT TRUE....TELL IT ALL WARTS & ALL...U S of A FAR FROM PERFECT, BUT GOD SHE STILL LOVES US THE MOST....RITE?

[@64fairlane305]

" There were some folks had plenty and some had none at all The enemy knows when a heart gets hard, the country is bound to fall If we get heads and hearts together we won't have to hear them say America the ugly today, America the ugly today" true Words. Americans has never understood to build a society together, to be a nation, take care of each other when needed. But they all have guns at least

[@alexanderangelo7284]

That's not entirely true.

[@richardcrossgrove9072]

This song could have been written by Woody Guthrie in the 1930s. Isn't it ODD how relevant it still is in 2015?

[@michaeldinsmore5539]

And even more so in 2018!!

[@tommcfadden5232]

@@michaeldinsmore5539 and still in 2019.....

[@babyblu76]

And even more so in 2020.

[@unwavery]

2024 checking in. Soup and Beans.

[@sarahyhutson]

CAN ANYONE UPLOAD TOM T HALL'S SONG CALLED THE GIRL IN WEST VIRGINIA WHO READ THE SAME BOOK ALL THE TIME??

[@walterkersting9922]

If anyone is concerned about the cumulative appearance of this country they can begin with themselves as individuals.

[@FreeLantz78]

Well said.

[@nitwitt50]

Wow, the USA has not changed a bit.

[@libertyann439]

Truth can be off putting.

[@muttmollett533]

Possibly

[@dylangrove6146]

goddamn tom

[@FreeLantz78]

To understand this song I think you need to put it into the context of when it was written.

[@Destin65]

Yup, and today's generation is living an almost exact replay of the time it was written. Divided country, protests, never-ending wars, controversial President, greatest wealth disparity in many generations, 2018 is like 1968, we just waiting on the modern My Lai, Watergate and 2019 song to be written about it.

[@roberthill1166]

FreeLantz78 What’s your point? The song is about poverty and there is a much greater disparity of wealth now than there was then.

[@cm6string]

Happy 4th

[@tim9191ful]

why won't it play?

[@kristalprice9064]

These American has lost there values. We need to get these nation back

[@ordinary1069]

This song was probably before America was literally ugly and destroyed by the Auto Mobile.

[@NotoTruth]

The West India Company...

[@1001orpheus]

赤じゃ！

[@muttmollett533]

PIKEVILLE PROPHET

[@josephteel6230]

.

[@crawdadwatson]

Soft White Underbelly

[@lowellmorse6723]

utube its free swipe yo ebt

[@walterkersting1362]

There's a better song; goes like so: Let's get off this ( referring to ones posterior ) And get on with it If you want to change the world shut your mouth and start this minute The tone and tenor of the thing seems to imply that all this is a filthy shame and it's somebody else's fault hence somebody else's job to fix it, as if anyone could fix substance abuse in Appalachia or violence in Chicago. Get the economy reving, that's all we know how to do for the social fabric, and make the word of God the law of your heart as an individual.

[@stevenspolar9714]

walter kersting - Not sure if you are referring to this TTH song when you say it's somebody else's fault and somebody else needs to fix it, but at the end of "America The Ugly" Mr. Hall clearly states, "if "we" get our heads and hearts together..." So just a bit confused here.

[@walterkersting1362]

Steven Spolar the song has an implied message that is subversive beyond its meaning at the surface; another one like it: Born in the USA; played as an anthem on patriotic holidays but it really is a put down of American life and values. T may have wanted to give himself an outie by saying look at the lyrical content, but I'm looking at the spirit of the thing: at best we as individuals are somehow personally responsible for how the communists hold our country in contempt because we are so ugly, really just for not being liberal enough to suit TTH. I grew up revering T and still do, but I don't indiscriminately swallow all he did whole just because it's him.

[@Destin65]

walter, I think you're missing the point of the song and the point of Steven's comment perhaps. I see you bring up the spectre of communism/socialism, so let me start with Eisenhower. During his 1956 remarks during the night of his reelection victory, he stated that everyone deserved to share in the greatness of this nation regardless of any accident of birth (rich or poor), race, religion, handicap or any other factor. Patriotism is about much, much more than just saluting the flag and singing some propaganda song to go along with it. As I found out in the military it's also about being a model citizen, doing what is right, taking care of everyone, placing less importance on self and greater importance on service, particularly service to others. That's what the military life was all about. It was drilled into us constantly that when we put on that uniform, we didn't just represent ourselves, our community we grew up in, our home state, we represented the entire nation as a whole. And our actions spoke for every bit of that. Now think about what is spoken in that song. The example used. The fact that we allow some to live in obscene opulence while others are forced to live in squalor, that right there speaks for the entire country whether you agree with it or not. That is exactly what Tom T. Hall is saying. I get it. I don't know why it's so hard for other people to grasp, except that they are perhaps engaging in the self-deceit that their country can do no wrong and therefore nothing should ever be questioned. Actually, raising questions is patriotism too. The fact that someone loves their country so much that they say we can do better, that is patriotic. Just look at how the Constitution is written. It's written in a way in which we are only supposed to advance, to move forward, to become better and freer over time. If you need help finding it, look at the 9th Amendment. And then realize we're allowing our disgusting politicians put our rights and privileges as American citizens up for a vote. Whether it's Proposition 8 that was done in California or some Supreme Court case about a baker... it's wrong. I find it revolting and disgusting in the maximum as a veteran to see self-serving politicians dividing the country, pitting classes against each other and then forcing a vote on the people while those self-same politicans shirk their duties and responsibilities. It's their damn job to decide things. That's why they are representatives in a representative republic. By the abominable action of forcing the people to vote on an issue is just their giving themselves an easy way out, a way to say, "Well, you voted for it, nobody to blame but yourselves" when it fact it should have never been allowed to be voted on in the first place. Do you ever see this being done in other countries? Hell no. They're not stupid. We Americans are stupid. That's why this Fall, I'm voting to fire them all.

[@patfal1514]

Here during the worldwide race riots of 2020... holding my breath for Donald Trump to get re-elected maybe with a vice president that will shock the world...if everything I hope and pray is true big changes coming.If I'm wrong then human races chapter on this earth is done. Not much longer to wait,to find out.Positive energy is a real thing keep thoughts up that we WILL do better!

[@12345CONWAY]

FYI TTH is a Democrat . You may be on the wrong team

[@oldrustycars]

It got way uglier under the Trump regime. Tax breaks for the super rich, the working class got worse off. All the horrible stuff that happened under Trump, he tells us to vote for him so it won't happen again. Not to mention the rise of white supremacy that Trump brought out into the open and endorsed. Tom T. Hall could add a few verses to this song.

[@unwavery]

What in God's name are you blathering about? Tom T would be embarrassed if you think this is a pro police song.

[@eoj1001]

2024 Trump was elected again last night 😊

[@rf-bh3fh]

This is the REPUBLICAN CREED HEIL TRUMP

[@unwavery]

No it isnt. Both parties failed USA.