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 Help It
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh, Heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
In Hank Williams's song "I Can't Help It," the singer tells a story of seeing an old lover on the street and struggling with lingering feelings of love. The lyrics are poignant and touching, exploring the complexity of emotions that can arise in relationships even after they've ended.
The first verse sets the stage for the story, with the singer seeing their ex-lover on the street and feeling their heart fall at their feet. The second verse introduces the idea of another person standing by the lover's side, which causes the singer to feel a sense of helplessness and sadness over their lingering feelings of love. The third verse describes a feeling of nostalgia that arises as the singer brushes their arm and walks close to them, which triggers memories of the past and further exacerbates their emotional turmoil. Finally, the fourth verse laments the fact that someone else will now get to experience the love and affection that once belonged to the singer, and how they can't help but miss the person they once loved.
Overall, "I Can't Help It" is a heart-wrenching song about the lingering effects of love, and how it can be difficult to fully let go of someone even after the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I passed you on the street
Today, I saw you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
Seeing you made me feel overwhelming emotions
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
I can't stop feeling love for you
Somebody else stood by your side
I saw you with someone else
And he looked so satisfied
He seemed happy with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealing
Memories began coming to my mind
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
When I touched you and walked near you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I felt the same way I did in the past
It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
It's difficult to accept someone else will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
And touch you in the way I did
Oh, Heaven only knows how much I miss you
I miss you a lot
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
I can't control my feelings of love for you
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Howe
The greatest one minute and twenty six seconds on the internet.
One of the most beautiful one minutes and twenty six seconds in human history.
One of the saddest stories of all time is that these two big hearted, smart, friendly people and heavenly gifted singers and songwriters and just good kind people didn't get together, get married and have a happy and long life together.
It is quite obvious from this video that Anita was head over heels crazy about good ol Hank and just imagine what our Alabama Shakespeare would have been like and could have created if he didnt have the sad fate of ever having met that Miss Audrey, a truly terrible woman who forced that bottle into his hand and drove him under the ground before he was even 30.
And just imagine what their kids would have been like!
(No offense meant to the actual kids of either Hank or Anita. And yes Miss Audrey, that would include Hank's daughter Jett Williams that you sent out to be adopted, against Hank's wishes, you mean, mean old horrible monster!)
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Tim Howe
The greatest one minute and twenty six seconds on the internet.
One of the most beautiful one minutes and twenty six seconds in human history.
One of the saddest stories of all time is that these two big hearted, smart, friendly people and heavenly gifted singers and songwriters and just good kind people didn't get together, get married and have a happy and long life together.
It is quite obvious from this video that Anita was head over heels crazy about good ol Hank and just imagine what our Alabama Shakespeare would have been like and could have created if he didnt have the sad fate of ever having met that Miss Audrey, a truly terrible woman who forced that bottle into his hand and drove him under the ground before he was even 30.
And just imagine what their kids would have been like!
(No offense meant to the actual kids of either Hank or Anita. And yes Miss Audrey, that would include Hank's daughter Jett Williams that you sent out to be adopted, against Hank's wishes, you mean, mean old horrible monster!)
Gregory Miller
This is even made better being in color. Anita is so strikingly beautiful. When I figured it out I realized I was melting over a woman that is 3 years younger than my Mom, however I have told my friends I had a beautiful Mom and she was. This world sorely needs the values, dress and respect that was common in 1952!!!
Rick Champlane
This is my Anita favorite of all! Did she ever or did the sisters ever do "are you lonesome tonight?" Original by the original Carter's cir. 1931.
Derick Feigum
Anita had the best voice and you could see she was so star struck singing with hank
Tim Howe
@Annki Persson Definitely. :)
Annki Persson
I Think she was more than starstruk!
Douglas Turner
Just the best. I don't see this kind of heartbreaking but still uplifting song with sincere performances like this anymore on Country.
Ayli Omah
Look up Sierra Ferrell
Tina Jaxen
this is one of my favorite performances, her voice is so clear and dreamy. out of heaven itself love it ❤️