About the song
“Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” is a beloved country song written by Glenn Martin and Dave Kirby, and it was famously recorded by Charley Pride. Released in February 1970, the song was the lead single from Pride’s album *Charley Pride’s 10th Album*. It quickly became a major hit, marking Pride’s third consecutive number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song spent two weeks at the top and remained on the country chart for a remarkable 16 weeks.
The song’s success was partly due to a significant adjustment made by Pride’s manager, Jack D. Johnson. He reworked the original demo tape of the song, changing its chords, lyrics, and arrangement to better fit Charley Pride’s style. This strategic revision played a crucial role in the song’s success, though Johnson did not seek songwriter credit for his contributions. His work for Pride included other notable songs, such as “Too Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” co-written with Jack Clement.
The narrative of “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” reflects a poignant longing and sense of dislocation. The singer asks if anyone is traveling to San Antonio, hinting at a personal struggle or separation. The song’s emotional depth and relatable themes resonated with many listeners.
The song also made an impact internationally. Nancy Sinatra featured a version of it on the B-side of her 1971 single “Hook And Ladder,” and Doug Sahm, a legendary Texas musician, included it in his 1973 and 1991 albums. Additionally, the song was adapted into Swedish, where it topped the Svensktoppen chart in 1974 under the title “Kan ingen tala om för mig när tåget går?” by Siv-Inger Svensson.
In popular culture, the song’s influence extended beyond its original release. For instance, Jerry Jeff Walker paid homage to Charley Pride in his 1994 live album with a nod to the song’s memorable lines.
Overall, “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” remains a significant part of Charley Pride’s legacy and a staple in the country music genre, celebrated for its emotional resonance and enduring appeal.
Video
Lyrics
Rain drippin’ off the brim of my hat
It sure is cold today
Here I am walkin’ down 66
Wish she hadn’t done me that way
Sleepin’ under a table in a roadside park
A man could wake up dead
But it sure seems warmer than it did
Sleepin’ in our king-sized bed
Is anybody goin’ to San Antone
Or Phoenix, Arizona?
Any place is alright as long as I
Can forget I’ve ever known her
Wind whippin’ down the neck of my shirt
Like I ain’t got nothin’ on
But I’d rather fight the wind and rain
Than what I’ve been fightin’ at home
Yonder comes a truck with the U.S. Mail
People writin’ letters back home
Tomorrow, she’ll probably want me back
But I’ll still be just as gone
Is anybody goin’ to San Antone
Or Phoenix, Arizona?
Any place is alright as long as I
Can forget I’ve ever known her