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.
Simple Things
Hank Locklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I have to offer is simple thing my heart my love my name
So won't you let me love you honey even though I have no money
Let me prove my love is true
If you could get that funny feeling let my love come a stealing
There's nothing in this world I couldn't do
All I have to offer is simple thing my heart my love my name
[ guitar ]
The lyrics of the Hank Locklin's song Simple Things speaks of the singer's lack of material possessions but willing to offer his heart, love, and name to his love interest. The singer stresses that he cannot afford expensive things such as diamond rings or anything luxurious, but he can still provide the most essential elements of a relationship, such as love and devotion. The singer pleads with his love interest to give him a chance to prove his love despite his financial situation. The use of the phrase "simple things" suggests that the singer believes that love can be found in the smallest, most insignificant gestures.
The lyrics have a nostalgic and romantic feel to them, reflecting a simpler time in society where material possessions were not as highly valued, and love often came before money. Hank Locklin's soothing voice adds to the emotion behind the lyrics, making it almost impossible not to feel empathy for the singer's situation. The lyrics serve as a reminder that love should be valued for what it is rather than what it can buy.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't buy you pretty things I can't give you diamond rings
I cannot afford to buy you any luxury items or expensive jewelry
All I have to offer is simple thing my heart my love my name
All I have to give is my sincere feelings towards you, my love and my identity
So won't you let me love you honey even though I have no money
Would you please allow me to love you despite not having any wealth or possessions?
Let me prove my love is true
Allow me to demonstrate that my love for you is genuine
If you could get that funny feeling let my love come a stealing
If you feel inclined towards me, let my love for you grow strongly and naturally
There's nothing in this world I couldn't do
I am willing to do anything for you, nothing in this world is too much for my love
All I have to offer is simple thing my heart my love my name
Once again, all I can offer you is the sincerity and intensity of my feelings, my love and myself
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wanda Smith-Sweat
My favorite of his songs
kenny bandit
some times we have nothing left to give it gets knocked out of you
1942ann
THANKS!
Dawn Damron
cool...makes me cry.....thanx for sharing this. :-D
Esme Mohabir
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Esme Mohabir
Nice song .
Esme Mohabir
Thank u UTube amen.