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.
INTRODUCTION
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring you that love thick blues boy, Hank Williams
I got a feeling all the blues all lost as my baby said goodbye
Lord, I don't know what I′ll do, all I do is inside
Oh Lord, good Luweegee
The folks who make Mother's Best flour
And the new Mother′s Best sell prizing corn meal
Bring you the one and only love sickless boy, Hank Williams
All the Mother′s Best music makers
And yours truly, Mother's Best little boy
Yeah, that′s me
Beat you to it, didn't we?
You probably have guessed
So wide awake and scrappy this morning
Don′t what I'm gonna do with you
How ′bout coming on in everybody and settle down
I'll fix you up a mass of biscuits
You don't want a corn, I can get you apron horns
Stir up about you that mother′s best biscuit
Hit me accordingly there buddy, come on (your, eh) yeah eh
Yes sir, it′s Mother's Best biscuit time
Here we go
The lyrics to Hank Williams's song Introduction seem to be a playful and lighthearted introduction to the singer and his affiliation with the Mother's Best brand. The first two lines suggest that the Millows of Mother's Best bar are the ones bringing the listeners "that love thick blues boy, Hank Williams." This could be interpreted as a nod to the brand's marketing and advertising efforts, as well as the idea that the singer's music is a source of comfort and love for his fans.
The following lines express the singer's sadness and confusion after their significant other has left them. They don't know what to do with themselves, but they seem to find some solace in the presence of their listeners ("all I do is inside"). This introspective and vulnerable moment is quickly disrupted by a shout-out to "good Luweegee," whose significance is unclear.
The rest of the lyrics describe the various products and services associated with the Mother's Best brand, including flour, farm feeds, and corn meal. The singer declares himself to be the "one and only love sickless boy, Hank Williams," and invites his listeners to settle in for a meal of biscuits and apron horns. The playful and improvisational tone of the lyrics suggests that this song was likely performed as an introduction or interlude during a live radio broadcast.
Line by Line Meaning
The Millows of Mother's Best bar
The makers of Mother's Best flour and food products
Bring you that love thick blues boy, Hank Williams
Presenting the talented blues singer, Hank Williams
I got a feeling all the blues all lost as my baby said goodbye
I feel lost without my lover who left me, causing me great sadness
Lord, I don't know what I'll do, all I do is inside
I am unsure how to cope with my overwhelming emotions
Oh Lord, good Luweegee
A phrase of exclamation or appeal, possibly to a deity or friend
The folks who make Mother's Best flour
The manufacturers of Mother's Best food products
Mother's Best farm feeds
The animal feed produced by Mother's Best
And the new Mother's Best sell prizing corn meal
Promoting the new corn meal product by Mother's Best
Bring you the one and only love sickless boy, Hank Williams
Introducing the unique singer, Hank Williams who sings of love and heartbreak
All the Mother's Best music makers
All the talented musicians associated with Mother's Best
And yours truly, Mother's Best little boy
Referring to himself as the beloved spokesperson for Mother's Best
Yeah, that's me
Confirming his identity as the one and only Hank Williams
Beat you to it, didn't we?
Boasting of being ahead of the listener in the conversation
You probably have guessed
Assuming that the listener has already figured out who he is
So wide awake and scrappy this morning
Feeling alert and energetic on this particular morning
Don't know what I'm gonna do with you
Playfully wondering what to do with the audience
How 'bout coming on in everybody and settle down
Inviting everyone to join and relax
I'll fix you up a mass of biscuits
Offering to make a large batch of biscuits for everyone
You don't want a corn, I can get you apron horns
Suggesting an alternative food choice if someone doesn't want corn
Stir up about you that mother's best biscuit
Promoting the tasty biscuits made by Mother's Best
Hit me accordingly there buddy, come on (your, eh) yeah eh
Encouraging the audience to respond or interact with him
Yes sir, it's Mother's Best biscuit time
Announcing that it is time to enjoy some biscuits from Mother's Best
Here we go
Starting the show or event
Writer(s): J. Hendricks
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Afromancer
Really miss these intros. They were special to the game and really got you into the game
favs a
indeed!
Rick OBrien
I stopped going to the bar because they would mute it for the damn jukebox !
Ray McKigney
Total Pavlovian response. The music signaled snack time.
Evan Mcgillicutty
Rick OBrien me too! those damn draft dodging hippies and their jukeboxes!
Stephen300o
Damn draft dodgers and their presidential broken promises.
Dano Tua is still my qb.
Hank singing always pumped me up for football. Hasn't never been even close to being the same.
Walter White 🅥
To bad woke liberals canceled him otherwise he would still be on 🥲
Liberty&Hercules
Facts💯
Drew Zuhosky
@Walter White 🅥 When COVID hit, the theme was retired for a second time. Social distancing protocols limiting fans in stadiums or closing stadiums to fans made the lyrics to the song no longer make any sense.