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.
If You'll Be a Baby to Me
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't mean maybe
If you'll be a baby to me
I'll be your darlin'
And there'll be no quarralin'
If you'll be a baby to me
I can plow and milk the cow
I'll even do the churnin'
And keep the homefires burnin'
Baby, I'll be your baby
If you'll be a baby to me
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song If You'll Be a Baby to Me talks about a man's willingness to take on the role of a baby and be dependent on his partner if she reciprocates his love by treating him like a baby. The opening lines of the song express that if the woman accepts his proposal, he will willingly take up the role of a baby in their relationship. He emphasizes his commitment to the relationship by stating that he does not mean "maybe" when he says he will be her "baby."
The next lines of the song expand on the kind of relationship he envisions. He promises that if she treats him like a baby, there will be no arguments or misunderstandings between them. He offers to take care of the household chores, such as plowing, milking cows, and churning, while she takes on her duties as a homemaker. He wants her to look through her cookbook and keep the "homefires burnin'" while he takes up his responsibilities around the farm. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing that he will be her baby if she is willing to do the same for him.
Overall, the song expresses the desire to have a nurturing and dependent relationship with a partner. The lyrics embody a sense of vulnerability, with the man offering to be vulnerable and dependent on his partner if she reciprocates his love by caring for him. It speaks to the idea of mutual trust and the willingness to rely on each other in a healthy and loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be your baby
I will act as your dependent and rely on you for care and attention
And I don't mean maybe
I am absolutely sure about my desire to be taken care of by you
If you'll be a baby to me
If you act as my caregiver and provide me with love and support
I'll be your darlin'
I will be your beloved and treat you with affection
And there'll be no quarralin'
We will not disagree or argue with each other
If you'll be a baby to me
If you continue to take care of me with love and support
I can plow and milk the cow
I am capable of performing household chores and farming duties
I'll even do the churnin'
I am willing to take on any task for you if you remain my caregiver
You just look through your cookbook
You can focus on cooking and homemaking duties
And keep the homefires burnin'
You can keep the home comfortable and safe
Baby, I'll be your baby
I reiterate that I will rely on you for care and affection
If you'll be a baby to me
As long as you continue to take care of me
Contributed by Olivia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.