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 Don't Care
Hank Williams Lyrics
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This world holds nothing for me
I've been lonely night and day ever since you went away
So I don't care if tomorrow never comes
If tomorrow never comes
And the sun don't ever shine, it won't matter with me
For when she ran away my world ended that day
My lonely mind wonders back to days that used to be
My broken heart cries out for you
Oh if I can't have you here I can't go on my dear
So I don't care if tomorrow never comes
If tomorrow never comes
And the sun don't ever shine, it won't matter with me
For when she ran away my world ended that day
So I don't care if tomorrow never comes
If tomorrow never comes
And the sun don't ever shine, it won't matter with me
For when she ran away my world ended that day
So I don't care if tomorrow never comes
Hank Williams's song "I Don't Care" is a soulful and sorrowful country ballad that speaks to the pain of lost love. The singer of the song expresses complete apathy towards the future, stating that they do not care if tomorrow never comes, for this world has nothing for them without their lost love. The feeling of loneliness consumes the singer both day and night, and everything they once knew, all of their fond memories and past loves, now seem to be nothing but a distant dream. The singer's heart is broken, and they cannot move on without their love. They feel that without them, life no longer has meaning, and they are willing to give up everything for a chance to be with them once more.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care if tomorrow never comes
I am so heartbroken, nothing else can hurt me. I am okay with not seeing another day.
This world holds nothing for me
I am so unhappy now that you’re gone. There is nothing that has meaning for me anymore.
I've been lonely night and day ever since you went away
Ever since you left me, I have been feeling lonely all the time. I miss you so much.
If tomorrow never comes
And the sun don't ever shine, it won't matter with me
For when she ran away my world ended that day
So I don't care if tomorrow never comes
Even if I don't see another day, it doesn't matter to me anymore because my world has ended the day you left me.
My lonely mind wonders back to days that used to be
I always think about the good times we had together. Those memories keep playing in my head.
My broken heart cries out for you
I am heartbroken without you. I can't stop thinking about you.
Oh if I can't have you here I can't go on my dear
I feel like I can't go on living without you. I need you to be here with me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind