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.
Drivin' Nails In My Coffin
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said that he and I were through
I started out drinkin' for pastime
Drivin' nails in my coffin over you
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Every time I drink a bottle of booze
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffinDrivin' those nails over you
Ever since the day that we parted
I've been so sad and so blue
I'm always thinkin' of you, love
And I just can't quit drinkin' that old booze
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Every time I drink a bottle of booze
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Drivin' those nails over you
You turned me down, you don't want me
There's nothin' now I can loose
I'm just drivin' those nails in my coffin
And worryin', my darlin', over you
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Every time I drink a bottle of booze
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Drivin' those nails over you
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Every time I drink a bottle of booze
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
Drivin' those nails over you
Yes, I'm drivin' those nails over you
The song "Drivin' Nails In My Coffin," recorded and composed by Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys, is a mournful tune about the heartbreak of lost love and the destructive nature of alcohol addiction. The singer is drinking and driving nails into his coffin (a metaphor for ultimately leading to his own destruction), all because his sweetheart left him. He is filled with sadness and cannot stop thinking about his lost love which drives him to drink more, perpetuating a vicious cycle.
The lyrics are poignant and reflective of the human condition where pain and loneliness can lead to self-destructive behavior. The lyrics emphasize the cycle of addiction which is never-ending and accelerates the pain caused by lost love. Though poignant, the lyrics also convey a certain kind of truth about the addictive nature of toxic relationships and the way they can contribute to disordered behavior in people. The song is a reminder of the importance of mental health, addiction treatment, and support of loved ones during tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
My sweetheart is gone and I'm so lonely
I am feeling sad and alone because my significant other left me
He said that he and I were through
My partner informed me that our relationship had ended
I started out drinkin' for pastime
I began consuming alcohol as a form of entertainment
Drivin' nails in my coffin over you
I am engaging in self-destructive behavior to cope with my heartbreak caused by you
I'm just drivin' nails in my coffin
My destructive habits are causing me harm and furthering my emotional pain
Every time I drink a bottle of booze
Alcohol is the source of my self-harm and suffering
Drivin' those nails over you
My harmful actions are a result of my feelings towards you
Ever since the day that we parted
After our breakup, my life has been filled with sadness
I've been so sad and so blue
I am experiencing deep sadness and depression
I'm always thinkin' of you, love
Thoughts of you are consuming my mind
And I just can't quit drinkin' that old booze
Despite its negative consequences, I am unable to stop drinking alcohol
You turned me down, you don't want me
You rejected my love and do not desire a relationship with me
There's nothin' now I can loose
Since I have lost you, there is nothing else for me to lose
And worryin', my darlin', over you
I am consumed with anxiety and distress because of you
Yes, I'm drivin' those nails over you
My destructive behavior is a result of my heartbreak caused by you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Irby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bcrosstx
Greatest renditions of this song I have heard! Better and smoother than Earnest!
@ydrx377
Jerry Irby song, you mean