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.
Why Baby Why
Hank Locklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me cry, baby, cry, baby, cry, baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
But tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're running wild a-kickin' up your heels
I can't live without you and you know it's true
But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
And maybe by then, you'll 'preciate a good man
Tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
You make me cry, baby, cry, baby, cry, baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
But tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
Well, I don't know but I've heard say
That every little dog is gonna have his day
You better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause I'm just a little baby puppy yet
I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you, but I should've left then
Now I'm too old to leave you but I still get sore
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door
Tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
You make me cry, baby, cry, baby, cry, baby, cry
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
But tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
Tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
Hank Locklin's "Why Baby Why" is a classic country music ballad that tells the story of a man pleading with his significant other to explain why she continues to make him cry. The song opens with the repetition of the phrase "Tell me why, baby?" which sets a tone of desperation and confusion. The singer then goes on to express his love for the woman, but also share the frustrations and challenges that come with being in a relationship with her.
Throughout the song, the man expresses his feelings of helplessness and his attempts at finding a solution to their problems. He brings up past arguments, mentions financial strain, and alludes to his partner's infidelity. The lyrics paint a portrait of a relationship with a lot of turmoil and emotional upheaval, with the singer questioning whether he can continue to deal with it.
At its core, "Why Baby Why" is a song about the complexities of love and relationships. It captures the feeling of being torn between loving someone and being frustrated with the challenges that come with that love. It's a song that many listeners can relate to, as most people have experienced the ups and downs of a romantic relationship at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
The singer demands an explanation for the actions of their partner, wanting to know why they act the way they do.
You make me cry, baby, cry, baby, cry, baby, cry
The singer is expressing their pain and frustration at the actions of their partner, which have caused them to cry.
I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
Despite the hurt and sadness caused by their partner's actions, the singer still loves them deeply and plans to do so until the end of their life.
Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
The artist has an issue that they want to bring up with their partner and confront them about.
Just like last time when the feathers flew
The artist is referencing a previous argument between them and their partner, which resulted in a heated exchange.
You're running wild a-kickin' up your heels
The singer's partner is behaving recklessly and irresponsibly, causing problems in their relationship.
A-leavin' me home with a handful of bills
The singer's partner is not contributing equally to their shared finances, leaving the singer to bear the burden of bills.
I can't live without you and you know it's true
Despite the difficulties in their relationship, the artist feels that they cannot live without their partner and believes that they know this.
But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
The artist is conflicted about their feelings for their partner, as they find it hard to live with them but also cannot live without them.
I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
The artist plans to go out and drown their sorrows in alcohol, likely at a honky tonk bar.
And maybe by then, you'll 'preciate a good man
The singer hopes that their partner will realize what they have in the singer once they see them having a good time without them.
Well, I don't know but I've heard say
The artist is unsure of what to do in their situation and is seeking guidance or advice.
That every little dog is gonna have his day
The singer believes that everyone will eventually get what they deserve, even if it takes time.
You better pay attention, don't you dare forget
The singer warns their partner to pay attention to their words and actions, as they will not be forgotten or forgiven easily.
'Cause I'm just a little baby puppy yet
The singer is using a metaphor to describe their vulnerability and inexperience in handling difficult relationships.
I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The artist's partner has betrayed them by going out and partying with someone who was supposed to be a trusted friend.
The thing to do was leave you, but I should've left then
The artist recognizes that they should have ended the relationship when they first caught their partner's infidelity, but they chose not to.
Now I'm too old to leave you but I still get sore
The singer feels trapped in their relationship with their partner, even though they are unhappy and hurt by their actions.
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door
The singer is implying that their partner is only interested in coming home to their shared residence for physical pleasures, rather than for emotional connection.
Tell me why, baby? Why, baby? Why, baby? Why?
The artist ends the song the way they began it, reiterating their need for an explanation as to why their partner is behaving in a hurtful and damaging way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Darrell Edwards, George Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind