The Ways of Life

The Ways of Life is a studio album by American country singer–songwriter Hank Locklin. It was released in July 1963 via RCA Victor Records and was produced by Chet Atkins. The Ways of Life was Locklin's seventh studio album in his recording career and contained 12 tracks of new material. Among its songs was the song "We're Gonna Go Fishin'," which became a hit on the American country charts and abroad in the United Kingdom.

The Ways of Life
Studio album by
Hank Locklin
ReleasedJuly 1963 (1963-07)
RecordedMarch 1963
StudioRCA Victor Studio
Genre
LabelRCA Victor
ProducerChet Atkins
Hank Locklin chronology
This Song Is Just for You
(1963)		 The Ways of Life
(1963)		 Irish Songs, Country Style
(1964)
Singles from The Ways of Life
  1. "We're Gonna Go Fishin'"
    Released: May 1962

Background and content

With the success of his biggest hit, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," Hank Locklin began having a steady stream of hits in the 1960s. This included songs such as "One Step Ahead of My Past," "Happy Birthday to Me," and "We're Gonna Go Fishin'."[2] The latter hit would be featured on The Ways of Life. The album was mostly recorded in March 1963 and the sessions were held at the RCA Victor Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The album's sessions were produced by Chet Atkins, who had produced all of Locklin's previous albums for the RCA Victor label.[3] The LP contained a total of 12 tracks, all of which had not been previously released.[1] Included on The Ways of Life was cover versions of hits previously made successful by other country artists. These covers included "Candy Kisses" by George Morgan, "Slowly" by Webb Pierce, "Rosalita" by Al Dexter and "Kentucky Waltz" by Bill Monroe.[3]

Release and reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

The Ways of Life was released in July 1963 via RCA Victor Records and was Locklin's seventh studio recording.[3] The LP was distributed as a vinyl record, containing six songs on either side.[4] The LP's only single, "We're Gonna Go Fishin'," had been released in May 1962.[5] It spent a total of 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart before reaching number 14 in August 1962.[6] It was also Locklin's third charting single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 18 around the same time.[7]

The Ways of Life later received positive reception from Bruce Eder of Allmusic, who reviewed the LP. Eder described the album as an array of songs that are "mostly sad and ironic quirks." He also praised Locklin's singing and the production of the album. He concluded by discussing its positives and negatives: "There might be a little energy lacking in the overall release, but the crisp, precise playing and Locklin's excellent singing (with fine and restrained vocal chorus accompaniment) just about make up for it."[1]

Track listing
Side one[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We're Gonna Go Fishin'"Tex Atchinson2:05
2."Kentucky Waltz"Bill Monroe2:24
3."Slowly"
1:59
4."Bumming Around"Peter Graves2:31
5."They'll Never Take Her Love from Me"Leon Payne2:20
6."Rosalita"Al Dexter1:48
Side two[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Too Close to Her (And Too Far from You)"Cindy Walker2:37
2."Mansion on the Hill"
2:26
3."Heading Down the Wrong Highway"Ted Daffan2:14
4."A Little Bit Lonesome"Walker2:06
5."Candy Kisses"George Morgan2:31
6."I Love You Because"Payne2:09

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Ways of Life.[3]

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada July 1963 Vinyl RCA Victor [8]
Germany [9]
United States [3][4]

References
  1. "Ways of Life: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. Leigh, Spencer. "Hank Locklin: Country singer and guitarist". The Independent. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  3. Locklin, Hank (July 1963). "The Ways of Life (LP Liner Notes & Album Information)". RCA Victor Records.
  4. "Hank Locklin – The Ways of Life (1963, LP) (U.S.)". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  6. ""We're Gonna Go Fishin'" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  7. "Hank Locklin: Full chart history". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  8. "Hank Locklin – The Ways of Life (1963, LP) (Canada)". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  9. "Hank Locklin – The Ways of Life (1963, LP) (Germany)". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
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