Living Between Notes

Ghost Riders in the Sky Published: 1948 Released: June 5, 1948 Genre: Country, Western Songwriters: Stan Jones "Ghost Riders in the Sky" is a cowboy western song written by  Stan Jones , a forest ranger who wrote songs on the side.  The melody is based on the song " When Johnny Comes Marching Home ." The lyrics tell the tale of cowboy hell-riders, doomed to chase the Devil's cattle for all eternity.  Hundreds of performers have recorded versions of the song.   Johnny Cash 's 1979 recording and Vaughn Monroe 's 1949 version are often cited as the most popular.  In 2010, the Western Writers of America members chose "Ghost Riders in the Sky" as the  greatest Western song  ever.  

Black Betty Single: Ram Jam Album: Ram Jam B-side: I Should Have Known Released: June 1977 Genre: Hard rock/blues. rock Songwriter: Traditional, Huddie Ledbetter Ram Jam was a short-lived band from New York City. "Black Betty" was their only hit. The song is standard folk/blues material about a black woman from Alabama with a " wild " child.  A powerful beat and aggressive tempo drive Ram Jam's version. It's played at sporting events to pump up the crowd.