Thompson's musical style, characterized as Honky Tonk Swing, is a mixture of big-band instrumentation, fiddle and steel guitar that supports his distinctive, gravelly baritone vocals on songs he often writes himself. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the No.1 Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard Magazine.
He decided to pursue his musical talent after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a radioman and studying electrical engineering at the university level. His first single was "Whoa Sailor" in 1946. The year 1952 brought his first #1 disc, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels" (which inspired the Kitty Wells response, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"). Other hits followed in quick succession in the 1950s and 1960s. Although not as prominent in later decades, he has remained an active and respected performer in the field, finding new audiences as a result of the resurgence of a harder-edged sound in country music.
Hank Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He was born 3 September 1925 in Waco, Texas, and passed away at home in Keller, Texas, on 6 November 2007, just four days after cancelling his final tour.
Back Street Affair
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And with all your young heart you learned to care
It brought you shame and disgrace the world has tumbled in your place
Because they call our love a back street affair
They say you wrecked my home I'm a husband that's gone wrong
They don't know the sorrow that we've had to bear
For the one that I'm tied to was the first to prove untrue
Now they call our love a back street affair
And have happiness God meant for us to share
I'd climb a mountain dear just all the world can hear
That our love's not a back street affair
The song "Back Street Affair" by Hank Thompson tells a story of a forbidden love between two people. The first line, "You didn't know I wasn't free when you fell in love with me," suggests that the singer is already in a committed relationship while the person they are addressing is not aware of this fact. The second line, "And with all your young heart you learned to care," implies that the two fall deeply in love despite the circumstances.
The following lines describe how this love is perceived by society, bringing "shame and disgrace" to the person who has fallen in love. The world has "tumbled in your place" because they call their love a "back street affair." The term "back street affair" implies something illicit and secretive. The next verse provides context for this judgment, with the people around them assuming that the singer's home life was wrecked by their affair when, in reality, the original partner was the one who strayed. Despite this, their love is still not accepted and is labeled an illicit affair.
The last verse expresses the hope that someday they will be free to love openly, and that their love is not something to be ashamed of. The line, "And have happiness God meant for us to share," suggests that they believe their love is meant to be and is in accordance with a higher purpose. The final line, "That our love's not a back street affair," provides a triumphant note, as the singer affirms the legitimacy and worth of their love.
Overall, the song Back Street Affair is a poignant commentary on forbidden love and the societal stigma that accompanies it. It emphasizes the pain that comes with being judged and misunderstood and underscores the importance of openness and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't know I wasn't free when you fell in love with me
You were not aware of my marital status when you developed feelings for me
And with all your young heart you learned to care
You wholeheartedly and innocently fell in love with me
It brought you shame and disgrace the world has tumbled in your place
Society has condemned our relationship, causing you to feel ashamed and unworthy
Because they call our love a back street affair
Our love is labeled as inappropriate and immoral by society
They say you wrecked my home I'm a husband that's gone wrong
They accuse you of causing the end of my marriage and blame me for being an unfaithful husband
They don't know the sorrow that we've had to bear
Others do not understand the emotional pain and struggles we have faced due to our love being looked down upon
For the one that I'm tied to was the first to prove untrue
The person I was previously committed to was actually the first to betray me and be unfaithful
Now they call our love a back street affair
Society continues to label our love as wrong and secretive
And when the mist rolls away we'll be free to love some day
Eventually, when the judgment and negativity dissipates, we will be able to love each other freely
And have happiness God meant for us to share
We believe that our love is meant to bring us happiness and fulfillment, as it was intended by a higher power
I'd climb a mountain dear just all the world can hear
I am willing to make a public statement and show my love for you to the entire world no matter the cost
That our love's not a back street affair
I want to prove to everyone that our love is pure and true, not a shameful secret
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sonny Dave
When you hear the voice you know it's Hank Thompson. He was one of the finest classic country singers.
Antonio Fernandes de Queiroga
A terrific singer!
B Cross
Hank is one of the few very great authentic Texas country-western performers and Hall of Famer! His entire collection of songs and the new Bear Family Album are a collectors dream.
Marcia Wallace
I love to listen to Hank Thompson sing .
NickDanger3215
Webb Pierce had a huge hit with this in the early 1950s.
everokie
They don't have voices like this any more. LOVE Hank Thompson.
Janett Grady
everokie...No argument here, Hon, but may I commend your attention to another Country singer who echoes Hank Thompson's voice and style. Her name is Heidi Hauge, and she's a girl Hank Thompson. You can find her on Youtube. Try her song, I Still Love You, and go from there.
Pondy Hsu
You didn't know I wasn't free
When you fell in love with me
And with all your young heart
You learned to care
It brought you shame and disgrace
The world has tumbled in your place
Because they call our love a back street affair
They say you wrecked my home
I'm a husband that's gone wrong
They don't know the sorrow that we've had to bear
For the one that I'm tied to
Was the first to prove untrue
Now they call our love a back street affair
***************
And when the mist rolls away
We'll be free to love some day
And have happiness God meant for us to share
I'd climb a mountain, dear, just all the world can hear
That our love's not a back street affair.....