During 1960, Horton had two other successes with "North to Alaska" for John Wayne's movie, North to Alaska, and "Sink the Bismarck". Horton is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Johnny Horton had several top ten songs in the late 50's and early 60's and was on the verge of becoming one of the top stars of the 60's when he met with tragedy.
He was born John Gale Horton in Los Angeles in 1925. He was raised in Tyler, Texas. Horton worked in the fishing industry in Alaska and California, and attended Seattle University. He worked for a while as a carpenter, and played basketball at Baylor University. He worked at a local radio station in East Texas and at the Hometown Jamboree in California. He did some recording with little success for the Abbott, Mercury, and Dot labels and picked up the nickname the Singing Fisherman. Horton became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride.
Johnny married Billie Jean Jones, the widow of country music legend Hank Williams. He sang country songs and signed a recording contract with Columbia, where he would achieve his greatest success. Some of his first hits included Honky Tonk Man, I'm A One-Woman Man in 1956, Coming Home in 1957 and All Grown Up in 1958. He topped the country charts in 1959 with When It's Springtime In Alaska.
Johnny Horton then began to record a series of saga songs that crossed over to the pop charts. He covered Jimmy Driftwood's The Battle Of New Orleans in 1959. The song topped the country charts and it reached number one on the pop charts, where it remained for a solid six weeks. The song was a tribute to the final battle of the War of 1812. He also recorded Sink The Bismarck in 1960, a song that was suggested by the film of the same title; it went top ten country and pop. Johnny Horton was a star. He sang the title song for the John Wayne movie North To Alaska and it too made the top ten in both charts during the same year.
On November 5, 1960, while North To Alaska was still climbing the charts, Horton was killed in an automobile accident in Milano, Texas following an appearance at the Skyline Club in Austin. He is buried in Hillcrest Cemetary in Haughton, LA.
Following Horton's death some of his earlier hit songs made the charts once again. Albums of his recordings were compiled and issued in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and they are still selling.
His biography was published in 1983 under the title Your Singing Fisherman.
Sal's Got a Sugar Lip
Johnny Horton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WRITER JIMMIE DRIFTWOOD
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
'Lasses in the cane and sirop in the corn
Sugar in the gorge and honey in the horn
Come here Sally and sweeten me again
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Cake on the plate and pie in the pan
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
How I love that pretty little gal
Nothing on earth as sweet as my Sal
Honey on her lips and honey on her toes
Honey all over her pretty little nose
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Cake on the plate and pie in the pan
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
At first glance, "Sal's Got a Sugar Lip" appears to be a simple love song about a man, Sal, and his affection for a woman named Sally. The lyrics describe how Sally can sweeten Sal with her love and affection, and how she has a "sugarlip" - a metaphorical indication of her sweetness. The song paints a picture of idyllic romance, with references to sugary treats and a close, loving relationship.
However, there is more to this song than just a pleasant love story. The lyrics also contain a subtle reference to American history and culture, with references to "lasses in the cane" and "sirop in the corn." These lines suggest a historical setting, likely in the southern United States, where sugar production and agriculture were integral parts of daily life. The song also references apples and peaches, which could be interpreted as symbols of the family orchards maintained by people in that area during that time.
Overall, "Sal's Got a Sugar Lip" is a touching, catchy song with hidden depths. It speaks to the importance of sweet, loving relationships and the way they can enhance a person's life. It also offers a glimpse into America's past, with references to the country's agricultural and culinary traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
Asks Sally to make him content.
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Sally has a sweet character.
'Lasses in the cane and sirop in the corn
Sugar in the gorge and honey in the horn
Apple in the tree and a peach in my hand
The world is full of sweetness and he loves Sally the most.
Come here Sally and sweeten me again
Asks Sally to make him content again.
Cake on the plate and pie in the pan
The sweet dishes that Sally makes.
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
He wants Sally to make him content once again.
How I love that pretty little gal
Expressing his love for Sally.
Nothing on earth as sweet as my Sal
He finds Sally is the sweetest thing on earth.
Honey on her lips and honey on her toes
Honey all over her pretty little nose
Sally has a sweet personality and is naturally charming.
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Sal's got a sugarlip (so they say)
Cake on the plate and pie in the pan
Come here Sally and sweeten your man
Reiterating how sweet Sally is and asking her to make him content again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sanguis
on I Hate Niggers
John Gale "Johnny" Horton did NOT write or sing the song "I Hate Niggers". That song was by Johnny Rebel and not written or released for some years after Johnny Horton died.