Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) is a Western swing novelty song written by Merle Travis and Tex Williams[1] for Tex Williams and his talking blues style of singing. Merle Travis wrote the bulk of the song.[2]. The original Tex Williams version went to number one for sixteen, non consecutive weeks on the Hot Country Songs chart[3]. Recorded on March 27, 1947 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" was produced by Lee Gillette and featured Deuce Spriggens, bass fiddle, harmony vocal; Larry "Pedro" DePaul, accordion; Johnny Weis, lead guitar; Cactus Soldi, Rex Call, Harry Sims, fiddler; Ossie Godson, piano; Spike Featherstone, harp; Earl "Joaquin" Murphey, steel guitar; Manny Klein, trumpet; Smokey Rogers, guitar, harmony vocal; Muddy Berry, drums.
A popular version performed by Phil Harris stayed on the charts for 23 weeks, reaching #1 in July 1947. On the Popular charts it became a number one hit in August 1947 and stayed at the top of the charts for six weeks.
Williams made a stereophonic re-recording of the song for Capitol in 1960 on the LP album Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! [4].
The song can be heard in the opening of the 2006 film Thank You for Smoking.[5] It has also been covered by Sammy Davis, Jr., Willie Nelson, Phil Harris, Jimmy Dean, Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel and a few others.[6]
The song can also be heard in the 2011 Video Game L.A. Noire set in late 1940's L.A.
| Preceded by "It's a Sin" by Eddy Arnold |
Most Played Juke Box Folk Records number one single by Tex Williams July 19, 1947 (sixteen weeks) |
Succeeded by "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)" by Eddy Arnold |
| Preceded by "Peg o' My Heart" by The Harmonicats |
U.S. Billboard Best Sellers in Stores number-one single August 9–September 13, 1947 (Tex Williams) |
Succeeded by "Near You" by Francis Craig |
| Preceded by "New Spanish Two Step" by Bob Wills |
Billboard Most Played Juke Box Folk Records number-one single of the year 1947 |
Succeeded by "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold |