FRANKIE LAINE - SIXTEEN TONS

Here's another song you might not have heard except if you lived in the U.K.
or have one of the later CD's that have come from Europe. Because Columbia
never issued it in the States.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Frankie
• Laine
• Fifties
• POP

[akytilop]

I was born into a family of Pennsylvania coalminers and this song is our anthem. I never hear this version until now.

[markalson1938]

@akytilop Not many Americans would have heard this version as it was never put out in the U.S., only in Europe. It did apear on an LP inan uptempo version that wasn't as good.

[MaryNGG]

Lately I've been having fun finding different versions of songs I like, and that led me to this video and then your channel. I visited your website, and it makes me very glad there are people like you who have this music and take the time to share it. I enjoyed your opinion page on your website...that was a good idea.

[markalson1938]

@MaryNGG I'm glad you enjoyed my web page, when I made it there was very little on frankie except for sites selling his records. Even Frankie's own site does not list his recordings and what they list for hits is only a partial and it is wrong. I two collect diferent versions of songs as you can see on YT i have several versions of the same song listed. But only songs I like Like this one.

[78smusicman]

@markalson1938 He recorded another faster version also that is very good !!! :)

[markalson1938]

@78smusicman Yes he did, this version was only put out in England where it was a top ten hit. In the States he recorded the more up tempo version on an album called "The Balledteer" in 1959. I think this the single was better

but I think Columbia didn't want it to go against Tenn. Ernia Ford's which was already a Big Hit in the U.S.

[acla9000]

I knew the Tennessee Ernie Ford version which was really delightful, but this one by Frankie is also great! Thanks for posting!!

[theonlymoo5e]

This version was tied with Ford's version for #1 in Australia for 6 weeks

[toogawnjawn]

I was born in 1955 and when I was knee high to a grassr my mother strum3e the gee-tar and sang this song to me, loved then love it know.

[NewAthensDemocracy]

In my country, you have to pay taxes to work, to buy cloathes or food. You have to pay taxes to own property. If you dont pay up you ultimately get jailed. We haven't come very far

[rockape560]

tennesse had a deper voice but frankie was suited to the record albums its all down to who yoo think is the best

[dabreu]

Well, I live in Brazil and have heard this version. As a matter of fact, I got it. It came out in an lp with several Frankie's hits like Granada, My Little one etc. My older sister bought it around 59.

[maurimorado]

Where can I download this song because the one that I have is not this one?

[Tonithenightowl]

@akytilop Coal miners' grand daughter here and you didn't find a tougher bunch of guys. Put someone in the dark for 12 to 16 hrs and let them inhale coal dust and work like a mule, then figure out why some were saints and some satan. Can I get an amen?

[TheLang0lier]

I always smile when I hear other singers tring to make their own cover of this song. The original by Merle Travis is also uncomparable to Frankies version. I really can not understand how can people like Eranie Ford's version more when it's so much weaker. And a fact i found out now by you that the song was not released in the states. The only way I can resolve this mystery is that Frakie sings the song with much meaner voice and this is a song which was not comfortable for the gov.of that time

[cooligalgirl]

great singer , like this song ,brings back memories .