Sensational '70's Tune for Friday, March 6th, '09

"Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" is an American country and pop song recorded by Freddy Fender. It is considered by many to belong to the swamp pop idiom of south Louisiana and southeast Texas that had such a major musical impact on Fender.

Song history

Fender wrote and recorded "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights", a blues ballad, for Duncan Records in 1959, during the early stages of his career. He was in the process of perfecting his mesh of rockabilly and Tejano, and the song showcased his new style. But he was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, and in May 1960, he was convicted. The popularity of the song, along with his own popularity, plummeted.

Then, in 1975, "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" became a major hit, and Fender's career was rejuvenated. With the help of record producer Huey Meaux, Fender re-recorded "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights." This time, the song became a major pop and country hit, topping the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in August 1975 and reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" was certified gold for sales of 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The song is heard in the background of a party scene depicting George W. Bush's drinking years in Oliver Stone's biographical film W. .