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 Tell My Heart That
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd give this world, if only I could
You cheated and lied and you left me flat
I know it's true, but I can't tell my heart that
Oh my foolish heart, why won't you believe
That some one is gone, it's no use to grieve
Still pining for some one, who will never come backI know it's true, but I can't tell my heart that
I can't tell my heart, that you are no good
I'd give this world, if only I could
You cheated and lied, and you left me flat
Yes it's true but I can't tell my heart that
My heart still cries out, it wasn't long ago
That we were together, you said you loved me so
Somewhere out there, it don't matter where at
To you I'm forgotten, but I can't tell my heart that
I can't tell my heart, that you are no good
I'd give this world, if only I could
You cheated and lied, and you left me flat
Yes it's true, but I can't tell my heart that
In Hank Williams’s song “I Can’t Tell My Heart That,” the singer is struggling with moving on from a relationship that ended due to their partner’s infidelity and dishonesty. Despite being fully aware of their former partner's character flaws, their heart cannot let go of the love and memories they shared. The opening line “I can’t tell my heart, that you are no good,” encapsulates this conflict between what they know and what they feel. The singer goes on to express their willingness to give up everything they have just to try to forget their former lover.
The chorus of the song captures the desperate pleas of the singer’s heart that still yearns for their deceptive lover. The lines “Oh my foolish heart, why won’t you believe that someone is gone, it’s no use to grieve” highlight the singer's realization that their ex-partner is gone, but their heart still can’t move past them. In the final stanza, the singer acknowledges that their ex-partner has moved on and has forgotten about them, but their heart still can't forget them.
Overall, “I Can’t Tell My Heart That” is a poignant song about the emotional turmoil that can arise from trying to forget someone that once held a special place in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tell my heart, that you are no good
I am aware that you are no good for me, but I cannot make my heart believe that truth.
I'd give this world, if only I could
I am willing to give up everything I have to convince my heart to move on and forget about you.
You cheated and lied and you left me flat
You betrayed my trust and abandoned me without warning, leaving me hurt and confused.
I know it's true, but I can't tell my heart that
I acknowledge the truth, but my heart refuses to accept it and let go of the pain.
Oh my foolish heart, why won't you believe
I blame myself for holding onto false hope and refusing to see that you have truly left me.
That some one is gone, it's no use to grieve
Accepting that you are gone is difficult, but I know that mourning will not bring you back or ease the pain.
Still pining for some one, who will never come back
I cannot help but long for your return, even though deep down I know it will never happen.
My heart still cries out, it wasn't long ago
My heart still yearns for you and reminds me of memories we shared, making it hard to move on even though it hasn't been that long.
That we were together, you said you loved me so
I remember the times we spent together, and how you once professed your love to me, making it harder to let go of the belief that we could work things out.
Somewhere out there, it don't matter where at
I know that you are out there somewhere, living your life without me, but I cannot bring myself to search for you or even care where you are.
To you I'm forgotten, but I can't tell my heart that
My heart refuses to believe that you have forgotten about me, even though I know deep down you have moved on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANGLIN, JIM ANGLIN, JOHNNIE WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthewmaurysmith2486
This song so accurately represents what I am going through. What a master songwriter he was.
@sandimirandi9986
King of country music. Wish there were more like him these days!
@jasonhiggins8909
Hank 3 is is equal now..
@johnkroner7145
as of 3-18-23
@victormispounas4414
There will never be another singer like Hank Williams Sr. yes I agree a person can almost feel the pain and loneliness in almost every song he sang. He must have hurt real bad, but then again he also sang alot of gospal music and I truly believe he may be up yonder singing in the Good Lord's choir.
@thepumpkinking1841
Amen, he was amazing, he was gone way to soon, what an amazing singer and person
@jasonhiggins8909
This was absolutely the balled of one who lost their true love... like me
@fredrumbolt5156
This is my favorite song of Hank 'man he could sing .
@Savoy209
a year later and you're still here ! Lol I thought I was the only one who re commented on videos after so long - btw, comparing Wayne Gretzky to hank ? you must be from up north
@jasonhiggins8909
He makes me cry.. the god of country!