An Essie Country
Reflections Moment
Sea of Heartbreak
Performed by Don Gibson
Released 05/22/1961
Intro by Gene Johns
I was seven years old when the “Sea of Heartbreak” surged onto the shores of country music. Since then, it has been recorded by the unforgettable harmonious duo the Everly Brothers, “the Boss” Bruce Springsteen, the “Man in Black” Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash (yes, Johnny’s daughter), Poco (an American country rock band), the English rock band the Searchers, the “King of Country Music” George Strait, and even the “Mayor of Margaritaville,” Jimmy Buffet.
Don Gibson’s 1961 hit, “Sea of Heartbreak,” is an up-tempo song that was slightly outside the norms of country music at the time, and it has long been a favorite of mine. The doo-wop-sounding “bom bom bom,” inserted throughout the song by a bass vocalist, anchors the rhythm, giving “Sea of Heartbreak” a classic 1960s country-pop sound.
Recorded on April 5, 1961, and released on May 22nd of the same year, this catchy, heartfelt classic country song, with a pinch of pop flavoring, reached number 2 on Billboard’s Country singles chart. It was a crossover hit, peaking at number 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. “Sea of Heartbreak” became an international hit, charting at number 14 on the UK Singles chart and number 10 on the Norwegian Singles Chart.
Mr. Gibson was inducted into the “Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame” in 1973, which recognized his talent for writing country classics such as “Oh Lonesome Me,” Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams,” and the iconic “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” along with many other hits, including “Sea of Heartbreak.” He was nicknamed “the Sad Poet” for writing songs about loneliness and lost love.
In 2001, only a couple of years before his death in November 2003, Don Gibson’s unique voice and singing style, along with songs like “Oh Lonesome Me,” “Blue, Blue, Day,” “Woman, Sensuous Woman,” including “Sea of Heartbreak,” and his brilliant songwriting skills, earned him a well-earned membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Don Gibson’s unforgettable “Sea of Heartbreak” is now just one click away from becoming an enjoyable and entertaining cruise for you on the “Sea of Heartbreak.” Bon voyage!
Sea of Heartbreak
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