Saddest Song Nominee: Teddy Bear

Candidate #2
“Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine

Teddy Bear hit number 40 on the Billboard Pop chart and number 1 on the Country chart for Red Sovine in 1976. Written by Billy Joe Burnette and Dale Royal along with Sovine and producer Tommy Hill, the song (it’s really not a song, just a narration) tells the story of a little boy in a wheelchair who talks on a CB radio to truckers all day. Teddy Bear is his on-air handle (user id). His dad is dead and mom is lonely and little Teddy Bear needs a friend. Many truckers hear his pleas and visit his home and take turns giving Teddy a ride. It is the happiest day of the pitiful child’s life.

There were a couple of follow-ups of sorts, which tell differing versions of whatever becomes of Teddy Bear. Both follow-ups appear to be authorized- that is, they were written by some of the same folks- so it is unclear which outcome is “real”.

“Teddy Bear’s Last Ride” (also written by Royal and Burnette) was recorded by Diana Williams and the speaker is a neighbor lady who witnessed the truckers’ visit that miraculous day and reveals that Teddy Bear soon after died from the same disease that had placed him in the wheelchair. Lines and lines of big trucks journeyed to the funeral (the truckers all try to ‘comfort’ Mama Teddy Bear, if you know what I mean). There’s a YouTube clip of a version of “Teddy Bear’s Last Ride” identified as being sung by Sovine, but the voice sounds British and it is almost surely not him.

Red Sovine’s own released follow-up was “Little Joe”, a story of a trucker and his faithful dog. Teddy Bear is now an adult truck driver who has been cured and can walk. He helps the trucker, who is blinded in an accident, find his missing doggie. The record hit the 45^th position on the Country chart.

“Teddy Bear” is quite probably the saddest song ever recorded. Below are some links to two versions of the song; see if you don’t agree. I have included the follow-ups, as well, to let you choose which fate for Teddy you prefer. 10-4! And goodbye!

“Teddy Bear”
Red Sovine (1976)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06MfMaxp8RU

Box Car Willie (1982)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_IqX8OELo0

“Teddy Bear’s Last Ride”

DianaWilliams (1976)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDUWtnRroPI

“Little Joe”
Red Sovine (1976)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlnjBQg4U7U&feature=related

The lyrics of the final verse of “Teddy Bear”:

Breaker 1-9, Came a voice on the air
Just one word of thanks, From Mama Teddy Bear
We wish each and every one , A special prayer for you
Cause, You just made my little boy's dream come true.
I'll sign off now, Before I start to cry
May God ride with ya…10-4…. And goodbye