San Antonio Rose

The song was written as an instrumental song by Bob Wills (who wrote 'Faded Love' with his brother and Father in later years) in 1948, but his band, the Texas Playboys, added lyrics in 1940.

'New San Antonio Rose' became the name of the new version of the song and the vocals were sung by a Texan man called Thomas Duncan. It became a highly popular Western song and was a hit for Bing Crosby and his younger brother Bob in 1940.

Meanwhile, the Playboys went from strength to strength and appeared in roughly 15 films, the exact number seems  to not be exactly known. The song then featured in a 1941 film that was named after the song; 'San Antonio Rose.' Also, named after the song is 'The San Antonio Rose Palace' sports ground in Texas.

The song featured in two 1980's songs, 'Honkytonk Man' and 'Sweet Dreams,' and has been recorded by artists including Floyd Cramer, Harry James amd Little Willie Littlefield. A Swedish version was released in 1952 and, in later years, 'San Antonio Romeo' was written by Tish Hinojosa and the lyrics spoke about Rose's side of the story.