Thereby Hangs a Tale is devoted to songs that tell a story, from
Eddy Arnold's hit version of
Jimmie Driftwood's "Tennessee Stud" to older songs like "Riders in the Sky" and "The Wreck of the Old '97."
Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans" was a phenomenal hit in 1959, and its influence is felt on the historical songs
Arnold tackles, from "The Battle of Little Big Horn" to "Boot Hill," the latter of which was released unsuccessfully on a single.
Arnold's performances are far more subdued than
Horton's and lack the martial snare drum beats, giving
Thereby Hangs a Tale a folk flavor. A version of "Tom Dooley" reinforces the folksy tone, as does "The Red Headed Stranger," a contemporary song that
Willie Nelson later revived.
Arnold's thematic albums are often his most interesting, and
Thereby Hangs a Tale is no exception.