Mick Hartley

The great Bob Wills, King of Western Swing, with his signature tune. From 1944:

Great pedal steel from Les Anderson, smooth vocals from Tommy Duncan, a trio of lovelies taking their turn near the end….what more could you want? And Bob Wills himself, presiding like a mischievous and slightly disreputable uncle over the whole proceedings. You might think he's trying to undermine the dignity and professionalism of his fellow performers with his strange vocal interjections and calls, but really it's just an excess of exuberance – or possibly an excess of drink. It's what he always did.

The original San Antonio Rose, recorded in 1938, was an instrumental. After lyrics were added, it became the New San Antonio Rose. Bing Crosby had a big hit with it in 1941, slowing it down and taking away all the fun.