Locklin was one of country music's early honky tonk singers. He first recorded for Royalty, a small label in northeast Texas, but soon moved to 4 Star Records, a regional country music label, before signing a long contract with RCA Victor. He had an estimated 15 million record sales worldwide and his songs were recorded by many other artists, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, Dwight Yoakam and Dean Martin. He regularly appeared on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1960, making his final appearance in 2007.
Locklin had 70 chart singles, including six No. 1s on Billboard's country chart. Locklin's biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", "Geisha Girl" and his signature "Please Help Me, I'm Falling", which went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Other hits for Locklin included "Happy Journey" (1961), "Happy Birthday To Me" (1962) and "The Country Hall Of Fame" (1968).
Born in McLellan in the Florida Panhandle, Locklin grew up working in the cotton fields to supplement his family’s low income. He began playing the guitar at the age of nine after being seriously injured by a school bus.
His first marriage to Willa Jean Murphy ended in divorce. In 1970 he married Anita Crooks of Brewton, Alabama. He had a son and four daughters, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a few close great nieces and nephews such as Sarah Locklin.
In the 1960s, Locklin built a ranch house called The Singing L in the field in McClellan where he had picked cotton as a boy. He was later made the honorary mayor of the town.
Locklin had a strong following in Europe, and in Ireland. His popularity was such that in 1963 he recorded an album called Irish Songs Country Style. He has a fan club in Langeli, Bjerkreim, Norway. The obituary in The Times described Locklin as "the last remaining link between country music’s hillbilly roots and the lusher, modern pop sound of Nashville."
In 2006, Locklin appeared on the PBS special, Country Pop Legends in which he performed "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," and "Please Help Me I'm Falling". Until his death at the age of 91 in 2009, he was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had recently released his 65th album, By the Grace of God, a collection of gospel songs.
In 2007 he was inducted to the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
He moved to Brewton Alabama, where he remained throughout his later years, and died there at home in the early morning on March 8, 2009.
FOREIGN LOVE
Hank Locklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know my heart will not be willing to forget a foreign love I've known
I will soon be in the arms that waited faithfully each day that I've been gone
But my heart could never be contented to forget a foreign love I've known
[ guitar ]
What on earth could be the right decision it's no good to find a memory
Should I tell the one that calls me darling that a foreign love is haunting me
Can I live with one and love another and go on and face what is to be
Hank Locklin's song "Foreign Love" is a poignant ballad that explores the complexity and pain of love across borders. The lyrics describe the singer's journey home, where he anticipates the joy of reuniting with his faithful partner, who has been waiting patiently for him. However, as he approaches his destination, he realizes that his heart will never truly forget the foreign love he left behind.
The use of metaphorical language in this song is particularly insightful. The "harbor lights" represent the light at the end of the tunnel, and the bright shining symbolize a hope of returning to a familiar place of comfort. However, the singer's heart is still haunted by the memory of a foreign love, represented in the lyrics as an anchor that keeps him tied to the sea of dreams. The tension between these two emotions - the comfort of home and the longing for an exotic experience - represents the classic internal conflict between love and duty.
In conclusion, "Foreign Love" is a beautifully written song that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Its lyrics are imbued with melancholy and longing, and its melody is both tender and achingly sincere, making it one of the standout tracks in Hank Locklin's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Harbor lights are ahead and bright they're shining I can feel the thrill of coming home
I see the bright port lights and I feel the excitement of returning home.
But I know my heart will not be willing to forget a foreign love I've known
I realize that I cannot forget the love I left behind in a foreign land.
I will soon be in the arms that waited faithfully each day that I've been gone
I am soon returning to the arms of my faithful lover who waited for me.
But my heart could never be contented to forget a foreign love I've known
Even though I have returned to my lover, my heart still longs for the love I left behind in another country.
[ guitar ]
Instrumental break.
What on earth could be the right decision it's no good to find a memory
I am unsure of what to do - it is not helpful to dwell on my memories.
Should I tell the one that calls me darling that a foreign love is haunting me
Should I confess to my current lover that I am still haunted by thoughts of my past foreign lover.
Can I live with one and love another and go on and face what is to be
Can I continue to live with my current lover while still loving my past foreign lover, and move on with my future?
In the sea of dreams my heart is anchored and the foreign love is haunting me
In my dreams, my heart is tied down to my past foreign love and I cannot escape the longing for them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAWTON WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind