Introduction
Ella Langley Delivers Sassy, Timeless Cover of Kitty Wells’ Trailblazing Hit
Country music’s rising star, Ella Langley, brought some authentic grit to Texas stages this past weekend, headlining shows and breaking out a heartfelt cover of Kitty Wells’ 1952 honky-tonk heartbreaker, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”
This classic is a cornerstone of country music history, holding the distinction of being the first-ever No. 1 Billboard country hit for a solo female artist.
A Reluctant Hit That Launched a Career
Written by J.D. Miller, the song was a smash hit that nearly didn’t happen. Kitty Wells was actually considering retirement at the time and was reluctant to record the song due to its “suggestive” content for the era. She only agreed to the session at Owen Bradley’s studio mainly for the $125 union scale recording payment—a fact many fans appreciate!
The song not only launched Wells into country music superstardom, but also inspired generations of artists; both Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn credit her as the greatest female country singer of all time and a key inspiration for their careers.
The Ultimate Country Music Clapback
What makes the song so iconic is its origin as a fiery response to Hank Thompson’s 1952 hit, “The Wild Side Of Life,” where he blamed his supposed cheating wife, singing: “I didn’t know God made honky tonk angels, I might have known you’d never make a wife…”
Wells’ version flipped the script, delivering a chorus of pure, unapologetic sass that put the blame squarely on unfaithful men:
“It wasn’t God who made honky tonk angels, As you wrote in the words of your song, Too many times married men think they’re still single, And that has caused many a good girl to go wrong”
The message, which perfectly sums up the frustrating dynamic of women being blamed for men’s mistakes, resonated deeply in the 50s and remains timeless.
Fans are now clamoring for Langley to record her version in the studio. Her voice is a perfect fit for the tune, making the powerful, nearly 75-year-old message sound just as flawless and relevant in 2025.