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.
Wake Up Irene
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody sang Irene goodnight
But she wouldn't go to bed no matter what they said
Though everybody tried with all their might
She stayed awake while steel guitars were a going
In every honky tonk she could be seen
But she finally went to bed and covered up her headAnd now there's not a thing can wake Irene
Wake up Irene, you've sleep too long
Wake up Irene, it's time to move along
Wake up Irene, and pay for your bed
Wake up Irene or folks will think you're dead
Lot's of guitar pickers by the dozen
Sang 'Goodnight Irene' all night and day
And even Crosby too with his bo bo bo bo be do
Tried to get Irene to hit the hay
Well I guess they finally sang her off to slumber
They must have tried a million times or more
But, oh, my aching back when she finally hit the sack man
You ought to hear that women snore
Wake up Irene, you've sleep too long
Wake up Irene, it?s time to move along
Wake up Irene, and pay for your bed
Wake up Irene or folks will think you're dead
The lyrics to Hank Thompson's song "Wake Up Irene" are about a woman named Irene who refuses to go to bed despite everyone singing "Irene goodnight" across the country. Despite everyone's efforts, including steel guitars playing in honky-tonks and famous singer Crosby, Irene remained awake. Eventually, Irene went to bed and covered her head, and now there's not a thing can wake her up. The chorus urges Irene to wake up, pay for her bed, and move along because people might think she is dead. The song reveals the frustration of those around Irene who cannot get her to go to sleep, and the eventual relief of finally hearing her snore.
The lyrics of "Wake Up Irene" reveal a playful tone about the humorous situation of a woman who refuses to go to bed. The lyrics appeal to the audience to wake Irene up and pay for her bed, suggesting that the situation of someone who refuses to sleep is absurd. The steel guitars in the honky-tonks are used to emphasize the futile efforts to make Irene sleep, and the setting of the song paints a vivid picture of the frustration of those around Irene's situation. The repetition of the chorus is a simple yet powerful way of reinforcing the humor of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
For months and months and months around the country
Irene was popularly known and people constantly sang a lullaby to get her to bed for months.
Everybody sang Irene goodnight
Everyone wished Irene a goodnight's sleep and hoped she would go to bed peacefully.
But she wouldn't go to bed no matter what they said
Despite efforts to convince and cajole her to sleep, Irene refused to go to bed.
Though everybody tried with all their might
Despite their best efforts, everyone failed to make Irene go to sleep.
She stayed awake while steel guitars were a going
Irene would stay awake while the music played and people danced in the honky tonks.
In every honky tonk she could be seen
Irene loved to hang out in the honky tonks and refused to go to bed despite people's advice.
But she finally went to bed and covered up her head
Finally, after some time, Irene went to bed and finally fell asleep.
And now there's not a thing can wake Irene
Irene finally got a good night's sleep and no one can disturb her now.
Lot's of guitar pickers by the dozen
There were many guitar players who played the lullaby for Irene.
Sang 'Goodnight Irene' all night and day
They sang this lullaby tirelessly throughout the night and day hoping that Irene would sleep.
And even Crosby too with his bo bo bo bo be do
Even a famous singer like Bing Crosby tried to help Irene sleep with his wonderful voice.
Tried to get Irene to hit the hay
Everyone tried to convince Irene to sleep and rest properly but she wouldn't listen.
Well I guess they finally sang her off to slumber
After numerous attempts, people managed to sing Irene to sleep.
They must have tried a million times or more
The number of times people had sung the lullaby for Irene was countless.
But, oh, my aching back when she finally hit the sack man
After sleeping for a long duration, Irene's snoring caused discomfort to those around her.
You ought to hear that women snore
The snoring sounds Irene produced after a long period of wakefulness and unrest were powerful and noticeable.
Wake up Irene, you've sleep too long
It's high time Irene woke up as she has slept for too long.
Wake up Irene, it's time to move along
It is time for Irene to start a new day and be active like everyone else around her.
Wake up Irene, and pay for your bed
It is imperative for Irene to wake up and pay the rent for the bed she had been sleeping on.
Wake up Irene or folks will think you're dead
If Irene continues to sleep for a long duration, it might create complications and people would assume that she's dead.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WELDEN ALLARD, JOHNNY HATHCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cathymccord1569
I got to see Hank in person at Shenanigans In Texas City TX. He did Humpty Dumpty Heart to Billy Ray Cyrus' Achey Breaky heart. It was awesome.
@jerryfogg6734
Memories
@janettgrady2394
Amazing, but I remember both songs, Goodnight Irene and Hank's Wake Up, Irene. Great songs, both could've been about me back in the good old days, especially Hank's. But no, I kinda looked the part, I suppose, but I had been more interested in finding Mr. Right. I got laid a time or two, but finally found a guy who told me I snored...and married him. Ha. Amazing song, Hank. You' really had an eye for what made people tick, especially the ladies.
@JohnWhite-si4xc
this song reminds me of a cousin i have named Irene great song
@glipzik
One of Hank's best. 5*****
@johannroedig3276
Großartig
@jalray100
one of hanks better songs, I like all of hanks songs. J Ray
@jonathanavis5390
Who still listening in 2023?😅
@irenecollins5915
I like that song.. Lol