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 Just Don't Like This Kind of Livin'
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tired of doin' all the givin'
I give my all and sit and yearn
And get no lovin' in return
And I just don't like this kind of livin'
Why do we stay together
We always fuss and fight
And I ain't never been right
Tell me where you think we're goin'
'Cause I ain't got no way of knowin'
When things go wrong, you go your way
You leave me here, to pay and pay
And I just don't like this kind of livin'
I just don't like the things you're doin'
Your evil heart will be your ruin
When things start runnin' smooth and free
You haul right off and you pick on me
And I just don't like this way of livin'
They say the road of love is long
It's rocky and it's rough
But if this road don't start to get smooth
I've traveled it long enough
Why don't you act a little older
And get that chip off of your shoulder
I've told you once, now I'll tell you twice
You better start to treat me nice
'Cause I just don't like this way of livin'
The lyrics to Hank Williams's song "I Just Don't Like This Kind of Livin'" express the frustration and dissatisfaction of a man who feels he is giving all he can in a relationship, but receiving nothing in return. The song features Hank's iconic voice, which is full of emotion and pain.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer expressing his frustration about doing all the giving and getting no love in return. The chorus repeats the main sentiment of the song: "I just don't like this kind of livin'."
In the second verse, the singer questions why the couple stays together when they constantly argue and have no clear direction. He expresses his confusion and lack of knowledge about where the relationship is headed.
The third verse addresses the behavior of the singer's partner, accusing them of having an "evil heart" and intentionally picking on him. The singer again expresses his dissatisfaction with this way of living.
The final verse encourages the partner to act more maturely and treat the singer better, or else the singer will have had enough and no longer wish to continue on this rocky road of love.
Overall, the lyrics touch on themes of unrequited love, frustration, and lack of communication in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I just don't like this kind of livin'
I am unhappy with the way things are going in my life
I'm tired of doin' all the givin'
I am tired of putting in so much effort without getting anything in return
I give my all and sit and yearn
I put in a lot of effort and wait for love to come back to me, but it never does
And get no lovin' in return
I do not receive any love in return for my efforts
Why do we stay together
I am questioning why we continue to stay in this relationship
We always fuss and fight
Our relationship is filled with arguments and disagreements
You ain't never known to be wrong
You always believe you are right and refuse to admit wrongdoing
And I ain't never been right
I am always made to feel like I am in the wrong
Tell me where you think we're goin'
I am seeking clarification on the direction of our relationship
'Cause I ain't got no way of knowin'
I am unsure of what the future holds for us
When things go wrong, you go your way
When things get tough, you abandon me and our relationship
You leave me here, to pay and pay
I am left to deal with the consequences of our relationship falling apart
I just don't like the things you're doin'
I am unhappy with your behavior in our relationship
Your evil heart will be your ruin
Your unkindness and selfishness will ultimately lead to your downfall
When things start runnin' smooth and free
When things are going well between us
You haul right off and you pick on me
You begin to criticize and attack me for no reason
They say the road of love is long
People often say that relationships take a lot of work and time
It's rocky and it's rough
Relationships can be filled with challenges and difficulties
But if this road don't start to get smooth
If our relationship does not begin to improve
I've traveled it long enough
I have been enduring this rough patch in our relationship for too long
Why don't you act a little older
Why don't you act more mature and reasonable
And get that chip off of your shoulder
Stop being so defensive and argumentative all the time
I've told you once, now I'll tell you twice
I have already brought up these issues in the past and am now repeating myself
You better start to treat me nice
You need to start treating me with kindness and respect
'Cause I just don't like this way of livin'
I am unhappy with the way our relationship is going and want things to change
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind