Lowdown, once again
Well I'm strugglin' now
To get by, my friend

It's keepin' me up
Late at night
I can't settle down
My honky tonk life

Driftin' 'round 'bout half past four
With the blues on my back
And a bottle on the floor
Drinkin' until I think I'm gonna fall down
'Cause my sweet little baby had to kick me lowdown

And she told me, "It'll be OK,
Things'll soon get better one day"
But I don't see how

Driftin' 'round 'bout half past four
With the blues on my back
And a bottle on the floor
Drinkin' until I think I'm gonna fall down
'Cause my sweet little baby had to kick me lowdown

And she told me, "It'll be OK,
Things'll soon get better one day"
But I don't see how
'Cause I'm too lowdown

Overall Meaning

The song "Low Down" by Hank Williams III depicts a life of struggle and hardship. In the first few lines, he sings about the difficulties he is facing and his friend's encouragement is not enough to lift him up. He is having trouble getting through life and his 'honky tonk life' is the source of the problem. The lyrics immediately strike a chord with the listener, as the words resonate with anyone who has faced challenging times.

The second stanza of the song highlights the state of the singer's life. He is drifting around with the blues on his back, trying to find solace in alcohol. He has had his heart broken by a woman who has kicked him lowdown. Even though this woman motivates him with phrases like "things'll soon get better one day", the singer is too lowdown to see how his life could improve.

The song is an ode to the difficulties of life, of love lost and trying to find meaning in the struggles of daily existence. It is through his music that Hank Williams III channels these thoughts and feelings, capturing the sorrow and pain of being lowdown.

Line by Line Meaning

Lowdown, once again
Feeling down and out once more

Well I'm strugglin' now
Going through a tough time

To get by, my friend
Struggling to make ends meet

It's keepin' me up
Causing sleeplessness

Late at night
During the nighttime hours

I can't settle down
Unable to relax

My honky tonk life
Lifestyle of drinking and partying in bars

Driftin' 'round 'bout half past four
Wandering aimlessly in the early morning hours

With the blues on my back
Feeling sad and depressed

And a bottle on the floor
Having a drink to cope

Drinkin' until I think I'm gonna fall down
Drinking excessively