Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Willi… Read Full Bio ↴Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.

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.

It's All Over But The Crying
Hank Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It seems that you've changed
In these past few days
For when I try to kiss you
You just push me away.

Now I don't know what's wrong
But I don't see how we can go on
I think your love for me is dying

And it's all over but the crying.

I called you on the phone
Just to find out what was wrong
And the thing you said
Made my suspicions real.

You said tonight again
You had to stay with this sick friend
But that story I'm not buying
'Cause it's all over but the crying.

It's all over but the crying
I never would have thought you were lying
It sounded so true
When you said I love you.

Now I say my goodbying
'Cause it's all over but the crying.

It's all over but the crying...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hank Williams's song It's All Over But The Crying depicts a relationship on the rocks. The persona expresses concern about the significant other's change in character as they have become unresponsive and distant, even going as far as pushing the persona away when he tries to kiss them. As he grapples with the situation, he concludes that the love between them is dying and that he can see no way forward for them. The relationship has reached its end, and all that's left is the heartbreak of crying.

In a bid to understand what's wrong with the relationship, the persona tries to have a conversation with their significant other on the phone. However, the response they get to their probing questions is not one that gives them any hope as it is clear that the significant other is lying. The significant other claims to be staying with a sick friend, but the persona is not buying the story because the relationship has reached its end, and it's all over but the crying.

The song's central theme is the inevitable demise of a relationship. The persona realizes that despite their best efforts, the relationship has run its course, and it's all over. The song's melancholic tone permeates throughout, reflecting the sorrow of a lover whose heart has been irreparably broken. Overall, It's All Over But The Crying is an emotional and powerful song that speaks to the pain of lost love.

Line by Line Meaning

It seems that you've changed
You appear to have undergone a transformation recently

In these past few days
During the last few days

For when I try to kiss you
Whenever I make an attempt to kiss you

You just push me away.
You physically reject my advance

Now I don't know what's wrong
I'm unable to figure out the reason

But I don't see how we can go on
I'm not sure we can still be together

I think your love for me is dying
I believe your affection towards me is fading

And it's all over but the crying.
The relationship is coming to an end and nothing can stop it now

I called you on the phone
I made a phone call to reach you

Just to find out what was wrong
To obtain insight on what might be the issue

And the thing you said
The response you gave me