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.
Honky Tonkin'
Hank Williams Lyrics
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Call me up, sweet baby, and bring along some dough
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
When you and your baby have a fallin' out
Just call me up sweet mama and we'll go steppin' out
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
We're goin' to the city - to the city fair
If you go to the city then you will find me there
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
When you are sad and lonely and have no place to go
Call me up, sweet baby, and bring along some dough
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
In Hank Williams's song Honky Tonkin', the singer offers himself as a companion to anyone in need of a good time. The lyrics suggest that he is willing to hit the town and let loose with anyone who is feeling lonely or heartbroken. The phrase "honky tonkin'" refers to going out to bars or dance halls, and it's clear that the singer wants to forget his troubles and have some fun.
The chorus, "honky tonkin', honey baby, we'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town," emphasizes the party atmosphere that the singer is promising. He's willing to go anywhere and do anything as long as his companion is willing to pay his way. In the second verse, he offers to take someone out on the town after a fight with their significant other. It's a classic rebound scenario, where the singer is offering a distraction from the heartache of a breakup.
Overall, the song Honky Tonkin' is a classic country tune about letting go of your problems and enjoying life with good company. It's an invitation to have a good time and forget your troubles for the night.
Line by Line Meaning
When you are sad and lonely and have no place to go
If you ever feel down and you need somewhere to be
Call me up, sweet baby, and bring along some dough
Just give me a call and I'll help lift your spirits, but bring some money
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
We'll go out to bars and have a good time
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll go out drinking and having fun
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
We'll explore the local bars and enjoy the nightlife
When you and your baby have a fallin' out
If you have a disagreement with your significant other
Just call me up sweet mama and we'll go steppin' out
Just give me a call and I'll take you out on the town
We're goin' to the city - to the city fair
We're headed to the fair in the city
If you go to the city then you will find me there
If you're in the city, you can find me at the fair
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
We'll explore the bars in the city
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll have a great night out
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
We'll enjoy the nightlife in the city and have a great time
When you are sad and lonely and have no place to go
If you're feeling down and need a friend
Call me up, sweet baby, and bring along some dough
Just give me a call and bring some money
And we'll go honky tonkin', honky tonkin'
We'll go out to the bars and have a good time
Honky tonkin', honey baby
We'll be drinking and having fun
We'll go honky tonkin' 'round this town
We'll explore the local bars and enjoy the nightlife
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind