The Last Letter
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| "The Last Letter" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Rex Griffin | |
| B-side | "Over the River" |
| Published | December 27, 1939 M. M. Cole Publishing Co.[1] |
| Released | June 1937 |
| Recorded | May 13, 1937[2] |
| Studio | New York |
| Genre | Hillbilly |
| Length | 3:03 |
| Label | Decca 5383 |
| Songwriter(s) | Rex Griffin |
"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin.
A standard of country music, the tune was covered by diverse acts. Jimmie Davis' 1939 version became a hit, while it was covered by diverse country acts.
In 1937, singer-songwriter Rex Griffin wrote "The Last Letter" while he was living in New Orleans, Louisiana.[3] He was inspired to write the song after he was left by his wife.[4] The lyrics told the story of a suicide letter[5] written by a common man directed to a woman seeking a rich husband and the finer things in life. It described his bitterness, and pain for the end of their romance.[4] The song probably inspired Hank Williams's similar "A Mansion on the Hill."
Griffin recorded "The Last Letter" during a New York session on May 13, 1937.[3] The single, backed with "Over the River" on the flipside was released the same year on Decca Records. Despite that "The Last Letter" turned into a hit, the poor sales of Griffin caused his dismissal by the label in 1939.[6] That year, Griffin wrote and recorded a sequel called "Answer To The Last Letter". The song became later considered a standard of Country music.[7] By 1941, The Birmingham News reported it to be "one of the most popular boots and saddle songs played by drugstore cowboys".[8]
