“New San Antonio Rose” (originally and often referred to as just “San Antonio Rose”) was the signature song of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. “San Antonio Rose” was an instrumental song written by Bob Wills, who first recorded it with the Playboys on November 28, 1938. Band members added lyrics and it was retitled “New San Antonio Rose”. A fresh recording was made on April 16, 1940 with a vocal by Tommy Duncan. The most successful recording was made by Bing Crosby with Bob Crosby and the Bob Cats on December 16, 1940[8]—over a million copies were sold for which Bing was awarded a gold disc. “New San Antonio Rose” was the first national hit by Bob Wills and His Playboys, propelling them from their Southwestern fame to national notice. Their version charted in 1941 and again in 1943. The song, both the music and lyrics, reflects the Mexican influence Bob Wills found growing up in the Southwest. Wills developed the melody of the original “San Antonio Rose” itself from a traditional tune, “Spanish Two Step”, by playing the bridge in reverse. “New San Antonio Rose” ruffled the feathers of Southern country music moguls when Wills and the Playboys performed it with horns and a drum at the Grand Ole Opry on December 30, 1944.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
