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.
Slowly
Hank Locklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slowly you're winning a heart that can be true
Now I can't hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
[Guitar]
More and more I need you and want you by my side
No need to hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
Hank Locklin's "Slowly" is a beautiful love song that describes the gradual process of falling deeper in love with someone. The lyrics depict how the singer is slowly but surely drawn towards the person he loves, and he cannot help but express his feelings towards them. The song is a testament to how the heart works and how once someone has captured it, it can be hard to resist.
The song begins by describing how the singer is gradually falling more in love with the person he loves for the very first time. It is a slow process, but as time goes by, he realizes that he cannot hide his feelings anymore. He acknowledges that his heart has been won over because of the person's true heart. In the second stanza, it is clear that the singer is more and more in need of the person he loves. The love he has for them is growing stronger, and he cannot resist the urge to express his feelings towards them.
Overall, "Slowly" is a romantic love song that embraces the gradual and slow process of falling in love. The song is heartwarming and relatable to anyone who has experienced falling in love. It is an understated and beautiful tribute to love.
Line by Line Meaning
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
My love for you is growing stronger, little by little
Slowly you're winning a heart that can be true
You're capturing my heart and it's a heart that can be faithful
Now I can't hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
I can no longer conceal my emotions because they're so obvious and sincere
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
My love for you is gradually becoming more intense
[Guitar]
Instrumental break
More and more I need you and want you by my side
I'm increasingly dependent on and desirous of your company
More and more I love you as each day passes by
As time goes by, my affection for you only grows stronger
No need to hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
There's no reason to keep my emotions hidden because they're so clear and genuine
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
My love for you is continuing to grow at a gradual pace
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADRIAN NICHOLAS MATTHEW THAWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brasilian Rose
Thanks for sharing a good Webb Pierce song by HL,thumbs up,Keith