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.
Cold Cold Heart
Hank Williams Lyrics
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Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life,to try it just ain't smart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you,the more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
In "Cold Cold Heart," Hank Williams sings about a lover who is cold and distant because of her past experiences. He tries to show her that he loves her and does not have any ill intentions, but she remains doubtful and hesitant to accept his love. The memory of another love before him has caused her heart to become "shackled to a memory," and she is unable to fully open herself up to Williams.
The lyrics delve deep into the struggles of relationships and the pain that can come from past experiences. Williams highlights the cascading effects of past heartbreak and how it can cause someone to close off and be hesitant to love again. He also emphasizes the need for communication and understanding in relationships. His attempts to free his lover's doubtful mind and melt her cold heart are accompanied by the knowledge that doing so requires patience and understanding.
The song is a timeless classic and has been covered by various artists over the years, including Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, and Diana Krall. It has even been interpreted in different genres, such as a jazz rendition by Billie Holiday. The message of the song resonates with people of all ages and has become an iconic representation of unrequited love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream.
I have put in a lot of effort to make you believe that you are everything to me.
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
You suspect that all my actions are part of some sinister plan.
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Your past experiences have created a mental barrier between us.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I could help you overcome your doubts and make you warm up to me.
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
You had a past relationship that left you unhappy before I even met you.
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
Despite not being the cause of your pain, I am now suffering because of it.
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Sometimes we hurt each other with harsh words that lead to tears.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind,and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the ability to make you trust me and open up to me emotionally.
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
It is painful for me to watch you in tears and know that I cannot comfort you.
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
You recognize that you desire my love, but you are hesitant to take a chance on it.
Why do you run and hide from life,to try it just ain't smart
You are avoiding the risks that come with love, but in doing so, you are missing out on life's joys.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the power to help you overcome your fears and open up to me.
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
I used to be confident that we were meant to be together.
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
I now realize that your heart is still bound to a painful memory from your past.
The more I learn to care for you,the more we drift apart
Despite my growing feelings for you, our emotional distance seems to be increasing.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the power to help you overcome your mistrust and allow yourself to love me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind