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 Can't Get You off My Mind
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I try, I'm just wastin' my time
Lord, I've tried and I've tried and all night long I've cried
But I can't get you off of my mind
Well, you think you would leave me behind
But I guess you're the good timin' kind
Do you think that it's smart to jump from heart to heart
I can't get you off of my mind
When I try, I'm just wastin' my time
Lord, I've tried and I've tried and all night long I've cried
But I can't get you off of my mind
You believe that a true love is blind
So you fool every new love you find
You've got stars in your eyes, but they can't hide the lies
I can't get you off of my mind
I can't get you off of my mind
When I try, I'm just wastin' my time
Lord, I've tried and I've tried and all night long I've cried
But I can't get you off of my mind
The lyrics to Hank Williams Jr.'s song Can't You See are a heart-wrenching depiction of the pain of unrequited love. Williams pours out his soul in describing how he just can't seem to forget this person who has left him behind. He has tried and tried to move on, but to no avail. The pain is so intense that he has cried all night long. Williams paints a picture of a person who is not only hurting but is also angry at the situation. He describes this person as the "good timin' kind" who jumps from heart to heart, leaving a trail of broken hearts in their wake. It's clear that Williams is frustrated and unable to let go of this person who has caused him so much pain.
Through his lyrics, Williams is letting his audience know that he understands the challenges of dealing with heartbreak. The song is relatable, as most people have experienced the pain of unrequited love at some point in their lives. Hank Williams Jr.'s emotional delivery of the lyrics makes the song even more authentic and relatable to his fans.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't get you off of my mind
Despite my efforts, I am unable to stop thinking about you.
When I try, I'm just wastin' my time
Attempting to forget about you is a futile endeavor.
Lord, I've tried and I've tried and all night long I've cried
I have exhausted all attempts to forget you and have spent many sleepless nights grieving your absence.
But I can't get you off of my mind
Despite my efforts, I remain fixated on you.
Well, you think you would leave me behind
You believe that you have successfully moved on from me.
But I guess you're the good timin' kind
However, it seems that you are simply looking for temporary pleasure and not a lasting relationship.
Do you think that it's smart to jump from heart to heart
It is not wise to continually seek out new romantic partners without fully committing to any of them.
When I can't get you off of my mind
Especially since I am still fixated on you, unable to move on.
You believe that a true love is blind
Your belief that love is blind leads you to deceive every new partner you find.
So you fool every new love you find
You are able to trick each new romantic partner into thinking that you are truly committed to them.
You've got stars in your eyes, but they can't hide the lies
You may appear to be genuine and devoted, but your deceitful ways will eventually be revealed.
I can't get you off of my mind
Despite your unfaithfulness and deception, I cannot stop thinking about you.
When I try, I'm just wastin' my time
My attempts to forget you are pointless and ineffective.
Lord, I've tried and I've tried and all night long I've cried
I have put forth significant effort to move on, but remain consumed by thoughts of you, causing me great anguish.
But I can't get you off of my mind
Despite all adversity and heartache, I remain consumed by thoughts of you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Эдуард Струсберг
Чудесная песня в прекрасном исполнении!🎸🎶🎤🗣📽👍
Спасибо, мой друг, за доставленное удовольствие!🙏👏👏👏💐
xman6918
"theres stars in ur eyes but they cant hide the lies" GREAT SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eddie Watson
always and forever the greatest singer and songwriter of all time in country or any kind of music all hail the immortal unbeatable incomparable number one one and only true king hank williams senior
Jessica Iguado
Such a great song!! One of my absolute favorites of hanks, only wish it were longer
Because Reasons
There's a longer version. This is just a demo.
kenneth graham
Jessica I great singer
Duglife
Hank was a very genuine singer. His live recordings sound very much like his studio counterparts.
Glenn Johnson
Glenn Johnson WOW!! More than 60 years of having the studio recording,here is the first time i have heard this.I am 66 years old,grew up on Hank,singing his songs and still something like this comes along!!Awesome!Thankyou so much for this surprise
Fred Rumbolt
Hank was and still is the greatest singer and song riter of all the singers .RIP Hank .see u beond the sunset .
Susan Buckley
Love him!! This song is perfect!!