Dwight Yoakam Explains Dim Lights

Dwight Yoakam and the Buck Owens connection “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke”

by Walter Price

Joe and Rose Lee Maphis’ 1953 classic honky-tonk classic “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)” has always had a stranglehold on my authentic country heartstrings. Originally written in ‘52 and first recorded by legendary bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs; the song went on to be recorded by faves Flying Burrito Brothers, Jack Ingram, Marty Stuart and most recently by Dwight Yoakam for his spectacular 3 Pears album.

But little did I know why Yoakam recorded it, and I certainly  didn’t understand the Buck Owens connection to the country standard. Dwight explained the track’s backstory on the Chris Shiflett podcast Walking The Floor.

https://soundcloud.com/globaltexan/dwight-yoakam-dim-lights-thick-smoke-and-loud-loud-music

Joe & Rose Lee Maphis 1959

Dwight Yoakam 2012