"Heartaches By The Number" Artist: Ray Price
Released: 1959
"Producer Notes": The original version of this song recorded by Ray Price featured the harmony singing of Van Howard providing the "unique blend" signature to the early recordings of Mr. Price.
Harlan Howard wrote the song...no relation to Van.
Instrumentation:
Rhythm: 1991 Taylor 812 Acoustic Guitar
performed by LSG
Bass: 1984 Hohner "Madcat" 4-string
Drums: "Nashville" Brush Kit
Electric Rhythm & Fills: 1967 Gibson ES-355
Fiddle: 1900's Mirecourt
Steel: Derby "Don Helms" Hall of Fame Series
Vocal: LSG
Background Vocals: Dan "The Coconut Cowboy"
"HEARTACHES BY THE NUMBER"...by LSG
I remember being in a "Sambo's" after the bars had closed and all the rowdy, coming down off whatever buzz people piling in and loading up the jukebox usually with the latest obnoxious crap that was popular at the time but now forgotten.
On this particular night a hot mess pressed the wrong buttons and Ray Price was blasting out of the jukebox to the dismay of the wobbly legged girl at the jukebox. As she smacked and kicked the jukebox, cussing at it for not playing the right song an older couple got up and started doing the country two-step around the tables, very gracefully navigating around the tables and people.
The couple had the look of pure happiness on their faces as they glided around the room even though the lyrics are about a hot today, cold tomorrow, back again/gone again relationship. It has an irresistible swinging groove that really stirred my country soul.