Fastest Growing Heartache In The West

Album: Beaucoups Of Blues (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Starr's sophomore solo effort is a collection of country tunes, including this tale of heartache written by Nashville songwriters Larry Kingston and Frank Dycus. Dycus, who penned his first hit "Lilacs and Fire" for George Morgan two years earlier, was still working as a welder building trailers for U Haul when inspiration struck. He told Nu Country TV: "I was working in the factory then and looked up at the counter and it said Tennessee Steel - the fastest growing steel warehouse in the south. I looked at it again and thought I got the fastest growing heartache in the south. I got together with Larry Kingston and he said 'the fastest growing heartache in the west - we came here from Arkansas for a better way of life and she got into California booze and California men.' That's how the song originated. It was actually about me but we moved it to a different setting. A lot of times you take bits and pieces out of your life and you can't write the truth when you're living with a woman that's causing you heartache. We had to make it like we got this friend of mine."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."