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.
Cherokee Boogie
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He does an Indian boogie to a white man's song
Singin' hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
Well, he dances over here and he dances over there
And he keeps on a dancin' everywhere
Singin' hey ho a lina, hey ho a linaA well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
Well, he dances on the hill and he dances on the rock
But he keep on shakin' that tomahawk
Singin' hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
Well, he sings to the hills and he sings to the clouds
And he keep on singin' so big and proud
A now hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
He's a Cherokee chief as a you might know
And he keeps on sittin' singing nuven-yo
A now hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along
He does an Indian boogie to a white man's song
Singin' hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
The lyrics to "Cherokee Boogie" by Hank Williams tell the story of a Cherokee chief who is dancing along to a white man's song. Despite the cultural differences between the two musical styles, the chief manages to incorporate his own cultural influence into the dance by shaking his tomahawk and singing to the hills and clouds. The lyrics also emphasize the pride of the Cherokee people, as the chief keeps on singing and dancing with confidence and nuance.
The song could be seen as a representation of the blending of cultures that has occurred throughout history, especially in the United States. The Cherokee chief's willingness to incorporate elements of both his own culture and the white man's music reflects the idea that cultures shouldn't be rigidly separated, but can instead come together in new and interesting ways. By doing the Indian boogie to a white man's song, the chief is showing that cultures can coexist and influence each other in a positive and creative way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along
The Cherokee chief is dancing to the beat of a song
He does an Indian boogie to a white man's song
He's dancing in a Native American style to a non-Native American song
Singin' hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
He's singing a chant-like phrase that goes hey ho a lina
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
He adds another chant to go along with the first one
Well, he dances over here and he dances over there
He's moving around and dancing all over the place
And he keeps on a dancin' everywhere
He doesn't stop dancing even as he moves around
Well, he dances on the hill and he dances on the rock
He's not limited to a specific dance floor, he can dance anywhere
But he keep on shakin' that tomahawk
He adds some traditional choreography with wielding a tomahawk
Well, he sings to the hills and he sings to the clouds
He's singing out loud to nature
And he keep on singin' so big and proud
He sings with confidence and assurance
A now hey ho a lina, hey ho a lina
He repeats the chant phrase again with enthusiasm
He's a Cherokee chief as a you might know
He's reminding us of his importance and identity
And he keeps on sittin' singing nuven-yo
He continues to sing a traditional song in a Native American language
A well a hey ho a lina, wup wup a witten a yeah
He adds another chant to end the song
Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along
The song ends with the reminder of the Cherokee chief still dancing
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHIEF WILLIAM REDBIRD, MOON MULLICAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind