Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
Cory Morrow Lyrics

The lyrics to Cory Morrow's song "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" reflect on the traditional sound of country music and the pressure to conform to it, while also questioning whether Hank Williams Sr., a country music legend, would have approved of this conformity. The opening lines "It's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar / Where do we take it from here" express the idea that country music has become stagnant and needs something new. However, the next lines "Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars / We've been the same way for years" suggest that the industry has become more focused on showmanship than on innovation. The chorus refers to the advice Morrow received when he arrived in Nashville, which was to follow in Hank Williams' footsteps. However, the lyrics question whether this is the right path: "But I don't think Hank done it this way / I don't think Hank done it this way / Ten years down the road, making one night stands / Speeding my young life away." The singer is saying that even if Hank did have to work hard to make it in the industry, there must have been something more authentic about his approach.

The reference to "Ol' Hank" and the line "Did Ol' Hank really do it this way?" suggest that the singer is not only questioning whether the current approach to making country music is right, but also whether the mythology around Hank Williams is accurate. They may be suggesting that, while Hank was successful, there was something unique about his approach that cannot be replicated. The lines "Singing my songs and one of his now and then / But I don't think Hank done 'em this away / No I don't think Hank done 'em this away" reinforce the idea that, even if they are singing the same types of songs as Hank, there is something that sets them apart. This could reflect on the singer's individuality or their desire to update traditional themes for a modern audience. The final line, "Take it home," could be interpreted as an encouragement to listeners to take a more honest approach to their own art or to reflect on the themes of the song.