A simple date cancellation blossomed into a country music classic, later embraced by The Beatles!
Imagine this: it's a warm summer day in the early 1960s, and Johnny Russell, smitten with a young lady, has to do the unthinkable – cancel their date. For anyone nursing a crush, this is a moment fraught with potential awkwardness, a delicate tightrope walk to avoid offending the person you're sweet on. Russell, however, opted for a bit of humor to navigate the situation.
As detailed in Ace Collins' insightful book, The Stories Behind Country Music’s All-Time Greatest 100 Songs, Russell received an unexpected call from friends in Oklahoma. They were in Los Angeles for a recording session and desperately needed his help. With no way out, he had to break his date. When his date inquired about his sudden trip to L.A., Russell playfully quipped, “They are going to put me in the movies and make a big star out of me.”
"We both laughed," Russell recalled. But what started as a lighthearted excuse soon sparked something more. Before he knew it, a melody began to form around the words, “They’re gonna put me in the movies / They’re gonna make a big star out of me / We’ll make a film about a man that’s sad and lonely / and all I gotta do is act naturally.” And just like that, the core of a future hit song – its title and irresistible hook – was born.
But here's where it gets controversial... Russell actually penned "Act Naturally" on the very same day he had to cancel his date to head to Los Angeles. He had the song completed before he even arrived at the recording session that necessitated his romantic raincheck! Despite his efforts to have the artist at that session record a demo, the musician struggled to capture the song's essence. Russell then tried to pitch "Act Naturally" to other artists, but found surprisingly little interest.
"I really thought ‘Act Naturally’ was a fresh approach about talking about being in love," Russell shared. "I believed that it was unique enough to work, but I couldn’t find anyone else who did. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get anyone interested in it." And this is the part most people miss... it took until February 12, 1963, for Buck Owens to record the first studio version. Owens' rendition of "Act Naturally" was a massive success, soaring to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remaining there for a remarkable four months.
Two years later, a different kind of magic happened. The Beatles, surprisingly, decided to put their own spin on this country gem, with Ringo Starr taking the lead vocals. While a country tune might seem an unlikely choice for the British rock icons, Paul McCartney later explained Ringo's deep appreciation for Americana. "He always loved country from the first minute I met him," McCartney revealed. "He liked the old country singers. George Jones and people like that. He was a big fan of that. So, I think, you know, maybe it suits his personality. He’s a very sincere, straightforward guy, and I think that’s the sort of theme behind a lot of country music."
The Beatles' version didn't quite reach the same heights in the United States, peaking at No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, in a delightful twist of fate, Starr and Owens later collaborated on a duet version of "Act Naturally" in the late 1980s. This collaboration earned a 1990 Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration, though it ultimately lost out to a powerful duet by Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.
What do you think about a simple excuse leading to such enduring music? Do you believe Ringo Starr's love for country music was a key factor in The Beatles' decision to cover "Act Naturally"? Let us know your thoughts below!
