Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
Ain't That a Shame
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That might do me well
'Cause I'm kinda mad at someone
Who thinks that they can tell me what to say and do
Everybody's got a butt and a point of view
Well I used to like to go fishin'
Watch that hook and line
And everybody wondered why
That ain't good
No, that ain't good ('cause that ain't me)
My wife went to a lawyer
I never dreamed she would
Now my address is rock bottom
And they know me in this neighborhood
That ain't good
No no, that ain't good (I need to get out of here)
Watchin' these nuts on TV
Blowin' themselves to hell
So they can all get to heaven
And my kids want me to tell
Tell 'em why
Did all those people have to die
No, that ain't good
'Cause I don't know why
Went to church Sunday morning
Never thought I could
Prayed to the man to help me
Get back to being myself like I should
It done me good
Yeah it done me good
You gotta look for the good in this world
In Hank Williams Jr.'s song "That Ain't Good," the lyrics reveal a narrative about personal frustration and turmoil. The song seems to explore various issues, including feeling like one is losing themselves, being told what to say and do, facing marital problems, and being unable to understand the reasons behind political and religious extremism. The first verse hints at dissatisfaction with work and authority figures as Hank sings "I'm kinda mad at someone / Who thinks that they can tell me what to say and do." This line emphasizes the importance of an individual's right to live life on their own terms, without being told what to do by others.
In the second verse, Hank Williams Jr. uses a metaphor of losing interest in fishing, something he used to enjoy, to signify that he may be losing touch with his true self. By selling his boat and motor, he is no longer doing what he once loved. The chorus, "That ain't good / No, that ain't good ('cause that ain't me)" underscores his sentiment and frustration that he is not being himself.
The third verse discusses political and religious extremism with lines like, "Watchin' these nuts on TV /Blowin' themselves to hell /So they can all get to heaven," and the question, "Tell 'em why / Did all those people have to die." He expresses frustration with the senseless acts of violence that often follow extremist beliefs.
However, the last verse reiterates the importance of finding the good in the world. "Went to church Sunday morning / Prayed to the man to help me / Get back to being myself like I should / It done me good." This implies that faith and spirituality can help someone reconnect with who they really are and find a sense of peace in turbulent times.
Line by Line Meaning
A different boss at work
I need a new boss at work
That might do me well
A new boss could be beneficial
'Cause I'm kinda mad at someone
I am upset with someone
Who thinks that they can tell me what to say and do
They believe they can dictate my words and actions
Everybody's got a butt and a point of view
Everyone has an opinion
Well I used to like to go fishin'
I used to enjoy fishing
Watch that hook and line
Observing the fishing line
But I sold my boat and motor
I got rid of my boat and motor
And everybody wondered why
People were curious about my decision
That ain't good
That is not good
No, that ain't good ('cause that ain't me)
That doesn't align with who I am
My wife went to a lawyer
My wife consulted a lawyer
I never dreamed she would
I never expected that to happen
Now my address is rock bottom
Now I am at rock bottom
And they know me in this neighborhood
And people in my community are aware of my situation
No no, that ain't good (I need to get out of here)
That is not good and I need a change
Watchin' these nuts on TV
Watching crazy people on TV
Blowin' themselves to hell
Committing self-destructive acts
So they can all get to heaven
In order to reach heaven
And my kids want me to tell
And my children want me to explain
Tell 'em why
Tell them for what reason
Did all those people have to die
Did all of those people need to lose their lives?
'Cause I don't know why
Because I don't have an answer
No, that ain't good
That is not good
'Cause I don't know why
Because I don't have an answer
Went to church Sunday morning
I attended church on Sunday morning
Never thought I could
I never imagined I would
Prayed to the man to help me
I asked for help from God
Get back to being myself like I should
To return to my true self
It done me good
It did me good
Yeah it done me good
Yes, it helped me
You gotta look for the good in this world
One needs to find the positive aspects in life
Lyrics © BOCEPHUS MUSIC INC
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