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 Just Don't Matter Now
Hank Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

For years I've lived without a meaning
I've lost faith in dreams somehow
I'm so sick and tired of scheming
I guess it just don't matter now

All my life I've been a loser
It seems that fate has made a vow
That I will never know contentment

But it just don't matter now

Yes I knew the day I lost you
But could not face fact, somehow
And I knew just what it cost you
But it just don't matter now

All my heart has lost a feeling
That meant more to me than thou

And I will never say I blame you
Cause it just don't matter now

Overall Meaning

Hank Williams's song "It Just Don't Matter Now" is a heartfelt ballad about a man who has lost his way in life. The first verse expresses the singer's feeling of aimlessness and lack of faith in ever achieving his dreams. He is tired of scheming and trying to find a purpose because nothing seems to matter anymore. The second verse continues this theme of hopelessness as the singer reflects on his lifelong struggles as a "loser" and how he has never known contentment. The chorus repeats the song's titular line, driving home the idea that nothing seems to matter to the singer anymore.

The third verse takes a turn towards more personal issues as the singer reveals that he has lost a significant other - presumably through a breakup or divorce. He knew at the time that losing this person was a huge blow to his life, but he couldn't face the reality of it. The final verse is a reflection on the singer's emotions after the fact - all he has lost and how it no longer matters. He does not blame the other person for leaving him because it just doesn't matter now.

Overall, this song is a melancholy reflection on the difficulties of life and the ways in which we cope with hardships. The singer of the song has seemingly given up on ever finding happiness or meaning in his life, resigned to simply exist from day to day. It's a poignant piece of music that speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost or alone.

It Just Don't Matter NowHank Williams Lyrics

It Just Don't Matter Now
Hank Williams Lyrics