Settin’ the Woods on Fire – 1952
“Settin’ the Woods on Fire” is the name of a single and the A-side song by Hank Williams released in 1952. The song reached #2 on U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles.
Although it sounds remarkably like a Hank Williams composition, “Settin’ the Woods on Fire” was written by Hank’s song publisher and producer Fred Rose with an elderly New Yorker, Ed G. Nelson Sr. Williams recorded it with Rose producing at Castle Studio on June 13, 1952 in Nashville with Jerry Rivers (fiddle), Don Helms (steel guitar), and Harold Bradley (rhythm guitar), while it is speculated that Chet Atkins played lead guitar and Ernie Newton played bass.[1][full citation needed] The song peaked at #2 while the B-side, “You Win Again,” climbed to #10. Author Colin Escott offers that the song “pointed unerringly toward rockabilly.”
Cover versions
Jerry Lee Lewis recorded an unissued version of the song for Sun Records in 1958.
Johnny Burnette released a version in 1958.
George Jones covered the song for his 1960 album George Jones Salutes Hank Williams.
Porter Wagoner recorded it on his 1963 LP A Satisfied Mind.
The Tractors recorded the song for their 1994 eponymous debut album.