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.
Behind Closed Doors
Hank Thompson Lyrics
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Writer Kenny O'Dell
My baby makes me proud, Lord don't she make me proud She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd 'Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me CHORUS: And when we get behind closed doors Then she lets her hair hang down And she makes me glad I'm a man Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. My, behind closed doors. My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile She's never too far away or too tired to say "I want you" She's always a lady, just like a lady should be But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me. Repeat chorus
In Hank Thompson's song "Behind Closed Doors," the singer takes pride in his partner's behavior when they are in public. She is never too clingy or attention-seeking, but at home, she reveals a different side of herself. When the lights go out and they are alone, she becomes free and lets her hair down. The singer finds himself glad to be a man around her, and he loves the mystery of what happens behind closed doors.
The song expresses a common human phenomenon: we all have different faces we present in different contexts. People behave differently when they are in public than when they are in private. The song highlights the idea that we should be allowed to be different people in different contexts, and we should embrace the parts of ourselves that we might hide from others.
Overall, "Behind Closed Doors" is a song about accepting and respecting the different sides of ourselves and others. We should be comfortable with who we are, no matter who is watching, and we should also respect the privacy and uniqueness of others. The song's simple yet powerful message has resonated with many people over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby makes me proud, Lord don't she make me proud
I feel proud of my significant other and how they conduct themselves.
She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd
My partner doesn't make a spectacle of our relationship in public.
'Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk
People tend to gossip and make assumptions about our relationship.
But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me
When we are alone together, I feel confident in our bond.
And when we get behind closed doors
In privacy, things are different.
Then she lets her hair hang down
My partner becomes more comfortable and relaxed.
And she makes me glad I'm a man
My partner fulfills me in a way that brings me joy and self-confidence.
Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Our private life is just that: private.
My, behind closed doors.
Our private life is just that: private.
My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile
My partner brings me joy.
She's never too far away or too tired to say 'I want you'
My partner continually shows their affection for me.
She's always a lady, just like a lady should be
My partner acts with grace and poise.
But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me.
In private, my partner allows their vulnerability to show.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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