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.
I'm Satisfied With You
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't wear diamond rings,
But I'm satisfied with you.
You look just like an angel but you haven't got wings,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I'd rather have you just the way that you are
Than change you for somebody new.
But I'm satisfied with you.
You're not made out of candy
But you're as sweet as you can be
So I'm satisfied with you.
I just can't see no reason why you bother with me,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I often wonder if it's all a mistake
It's hard to believe that it's true.
But If I'm only dreaming, I sure don't want to wake,
'Cause I'm satisfied with you.
I'm satisfied with you.
The lyrics to Hank Williams’s “I'm Satisfied With You” are a testament to the power of love and contentment in a relationship. The song is a declaration of devotion to a partner who may not have all the materialistic trappings of wealth but is nonetheless prized for her inner virtues. Williams rejoices in his partner’s down-to-earth simplicity and rejects the superficial values of his society that encourage him to pursue someone who is more glamorous or wealthy. He values his partner's sweetness, unconditional love, and ability to make him happy, and he wants her to know that her love is all he needs to feel complete.
The lyrics of the song add to the feeling of contentment with soft, tender and genuine expressions that make the song stand out. Williams’s sobriety vocals empower the tone and stir up emotions in listeners' hearts. He shows maturity in declining the societal pull to pursue richer women, and instead find someone who can make him happy. The song affirms the powerful idea that contentment and fulfillment can be found in the simple things in life, such as love, companionship, and loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't dress up in satin,
You don't wear fancy clothing,
You don't wear diamond rings,
You don't wear expensive jewelry,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are,
You look just like an angel but you haven't got wings,
You are beautiful but not perfect,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are,
I'd rather have you just the way that you are
I prefer you to stay the same,
Than change you for somebody new.
Than replace you with someone else,
Maybe I could do better if I reached for a star,
Perhaps I could find someone better if I aimed higher,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are,
You're not made out of candy
You are not perfect,
But you're as sweet as you can be
But you are kind and lovely,
So I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are,
I just can't see no reason why you bother with me,
I don't understand why you are with me,
But I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are,
I often wonder if it's all a mistake
I sometimes question if our relationship is a mistake,
It's hard to believe that it's true.
It's difficult to believe that we are together,
But If I'm only dreaming, I sure don't want to wake,
But if this is a dream, I don't want to wake up,
'Cause I'm satisfied with you.
Because I am content with you as you are
I'm satisfied with you.
I am content with you as you are
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@loverofcountry506070
I'm 67, and have been a Hank fan all my life, but I never heard this song before. I don't know how I missed it. But it's really great to hear a "new" Hank song.
@MyMy-zi7yv
Such a short time on Earth writing music but he sure put out a bunch before he left. Talk about singing from the heart ... nobody does it better!!!
@ragtimeD
every time I think I've heard all the great Hank Williams songs - someone plays me one I've never heard before. Thanks a lot!
@ATSF1927
I remember when Hank died, there were songs being released after hank's death in 1953 and one was "Your Cheatin' Heart" and the other was "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive". I haven't heard this one until now and I've seen Hank twice in my life. Love the song.
@gwentwitty3810
Love Hank Williams the man sings from his heart. Such a shame he died so young. You can feel the pain or good times he’s been through.
@danaventura5998
I used to sing this in a country dance band I was in. I have always loved it especially making the vocals more swingy.
@Rasperize
one of my fav songs
@joeok8641
In Old Hank's Top 100...a rockin' uplifting love song.xx
@kevthegamer1985
George Strait covered this song on his "Right or Wrong" album, I had no idea this was a Hank song! George also did a cover of "Lovesick Blues", which I knew of that one, so I wonder how many more Hank songs George did?
@flallefyhr5778
Sammy Pruett did the same lead guitarsolo as in ”Fly trouble”.