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.
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you've never once looked back to your home across the track
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
Where you tossed it on the ground pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
When their glamor starts to bore you come on back where you belong
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
They have changed your attitude made you haughty and so rude
Your new friends can take the blame underneath you're still the same
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
When your new love can't be found pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down
The lyrics to Hank Thompson's song Pick Me Up on Your Way Down are about a person who had a short-lived relationship with the singer, but has since moved on and is living a more glamorous lifestyle. Despite the apparent success and newfound arrogance, the singer's heart remains with the person who left them, as symbolized by the thrown heart on the ground. The singer asks to be picked up on the way down when the person becomes lonely and bored with their new lifestyle, suggesting a hope that they will eventually return and rekindle their relationship.
The use of "style" and "glamor" suggest a class divide between the two people, with the singer being from a lower socio-economic background. The phrase "home across the track" further emphasizes this divide, as it suggests the person lives on the wrong side of the railroad tracks. However, despite the difference in status, the singer's feelings remain strong and unwavering. The repetition of the phrase "pick me up on your way down" throughout the song serves as a reminder of the singer's love and willingness to forgive and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
You were mine for just a while now you're puttin' on the style
You and I were once together, but now you are acting like someone completely different
And you've never once looked back to your home across the track
Despite leaving behind your past life, you have never shown any regret or desire to return
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
People are talking about how much you have changed, but I still have feelings for you
Where you tossed it on the ground pick me up on your way down
You broke my heart, but if you ever fall down, I am willing to take you back
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
If you ever need someone to turn to when you're sad and lonely, I'll be here
When their glamor starts to bore you come on back where you belong
If your new life becomes tiresome, you are always welcome to return to your old home
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
Once you realize the truth about your new friends and lifestyle, I'll still be here
When you tumble to the ground pick me up on your way down
If you ever fall from your high social status, I'll be there to offer support
They have changed your attitude made you haughty and so rude
Your new associates have influenced you to become arrogant and unpleasant
Your new friends can take the blame underneath you're still the same
Even though you may be acting differently, deep down you are still the person I once knew
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
Although your new friends may currently view you as valuable, they will eventually discard and replace you
When your new love can't be found pick me up on your way down
If your new romance falls apart, I will be here to offer companionship and love
Pick me up on your way down
No matter what happens, I am always here to support and lift you up when you fall
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TRAVELLERS HOLLOW MUSIC
Written by: Harlan Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@melin520
You were mine for just a while,
Now you're putting on a style.
And you've neveronce looked back,
to your home across the track.
You're the gossip of the town,
But my heart can still be found.
Where you tossed it on the ground,
Pick me up on your way down.
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone.
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong.
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you.
When you tumble to the ground,
Pick me up on your way down.
*************
They have changed your attitude,
Made you haughty and so rude.
Your new friends can take the blame,
Underneath you're still the same.
You may be their pride and joy,
But they'll find another toy.
When your new love can't be found,
Pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone.
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong.
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you.
When you tumble to the ground,
Pick me up on your way down......
@329eddie
Can still hear my mom sing this tune from the 50’s. Miss hearing her, and Hank.
@mcfrdmn
Excellent performance by Hank Thompson
@jeffsuper1025
Still listening in 2020 ! My feet are slower but I'm still 2stepin in my heart!
@janettgrady2394
Another great song by Hank. Love it, reminds me of every Tom, Dick, Harry, and a whole lot of other fun guys I've picked up...on their way down. Ha. Yeah, well, there were two or three, and one thanked me by marrying me...still with him, 2019. Hank sure knows how to choose the right songs to sing. Great lyrics to this song...Hank does it for me. Love it.
@jeffsuper1025
You are a two step girl?
@janettgrady2394
Jeff...Thanks for the reply. Yes, years and years ago.
@jeffsuper1025
@@janettgrady2394 were still two steppin in our hearts
@patriciamorrell4954
I'll leave mowing my lawns for another day. Pick Me Up on Your Way Down is No.126. Plenty more to hear on the Pop Video List.
@bluenote-k2s
Patricia Morrell in
@melin520
You were mine for just a while,
Now you're putting on a style.
And you've neveronce looked back,
to your home across the track.
You're the gossip of the town,
But my heart can still be found.
Where you tossed it on the ground,
Pick me up on your way down.
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone.
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong.
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you.
When you tumble to the ground,
Pick me up on your way down.
*************
They have changed your attitude,
Made you haughty and so rude.
Your new friends can take the blame,
Underneath you're still the same.
You may be their pride and joy,
But they'll find another toy.
When your new love can't be found,
Pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down,
When you're blue and all alone.
When their glamour starts to bore you,
Come on back where you belong.
When you learn these things are true,
I'll be waiting here for you.
When you tumble to the ground,
Pick me up on your way down......