Always Late with Your Kisses

"Always Late (with Your Kisses)" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Lefty Frizzell. It was the fifth single released from his 1951/1952 album Listen to Lefty. It peaked at number one in 1951 and became his fourth release to hit the top.

"Always Late (with Your Kisses)"
Single by Lefty Frizzell
from the album Listen to Lefty
B-side	"Mom and Dad's Waltz"
Released	July 8, 1951
Recorded	May 24, 1951 Jime Beck Studio; Dallas, TX
Genre	Country
Length	3:10
Label	Columbia 20837
Songwriter(s)	Lefty Frizzell, Blackie Crawford
Producer(s)	Don Law
Lefty Frizzell singles chronology
"I Want to Be With You Always" (1951) "Always Late (with Your Kisses)" (1951) "Travellin' Blues" (1951)

Recording and composition

During early 1951, Lefty Frizzell is enjoying the success followed by the smash hit debut: If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time). By this time, Frizzell and Hank Williams are the biggest names in country music. Frizzell would meet for another session on May 24, which capped off a single. Always Late (With Your Kisses) with the flip-side Mom and Dad's Waltz would be released in July and in August the single rose to the #1 slot on the US Country chart. The songs have since become instant Lefty classics.

The B-side of "Always Late with Your Kisses", entitled "Mom and Dad's Waltz" peaked at number two for eight weeks on the country chart.[1] The song has been covered by many different artists, most credibly, long-time Lefty Frizzell friend, George Jones, who was greatly influenced by Frizzell. He covered the song in 1973 on his album titled: Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad as Losing You)

Chart performance

Chart (1951)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2]	1

Cover version

In addition to Frizzell's own stereo re-recording of "Always Late" in 1959, many artists have recorded cover versions of the song, including:

George Jones version

George Jones covered the song for his 1973 album: Nothing Ever Hurt Me

Jo-El Sonnier version

Jo-El Sonnier covered the song in 1976. His version reached #99 on the U.S. country chart.

Merle Haggard version

Merle Haggard covered the song in 2001 on his album Roots, Volume 1.

Leona Williams version

A version by Leona Williams charted in 1981, reaching #84 on the same chart.

Dwight Yoakam version

"Always Late with Your Kisses"
Single by Dwight Yoakam
from the album Hillbilly Deluxe
B-side	"1000 Miles"
Released	February 1988
Recorded	1987
Genre	Country
Length	2:10
Label	Reprise 27994
Songwriter(s)	Lefty Frizzell, Blackie Crawford
Producer(s)	Pete Anderson
Dwight Yoakam singles chronology
"Please, Please Baby" (1987) "Always Late with Your Kisses" (1988) "Streets of Bakersfield" (1988)

"Always Late with Your Kisses" was covered by country music artist Dwight Yoakam. It is the fourth and final single released from his 1987 album Hillbilly Deluxe. It peaked at #9 in the United States,[3] and #5 in Canada.

Chart performance

Chart (1988)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4]	9
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	5

Music Video

The music video was directed by Sherman Halsey.

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 129.
2. "Lefty Frizzell Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 403.
4. "Dwight Yoakam Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.