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.
Mind Your Own Business
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brother that's our right
'Cause me and that sweet woman's
Got a license to fight
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
'Cause if you mind your business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Oh, the woman on our party
Line's the nosiest thing
She picks up her receiver
When she knows it's my ring
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
Well, if you mind your business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
I got a little gal
That wears her hair up high
The boys all whistle
When she walks by
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
Well, if you mind your own business
You sure won't be minding mine
If I want to honky tonk around
'Til two or three
Now, brother that's my headache
Don't you worry 'bout me
Just mind your own business
Mind your own business?
If you mind your business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Mindin' other people's business
Seems to be high-toned
I got all that I can do
Just to mind my own
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
If you mind your own business
You'll stay busy all the time
The lyrics of Hank William's song "Mind Your Own Business" reflects the desire for privacy and independence. The singer begins by stating that he has the right to argue with his wife, as they have a bond that is strong enough to weather their quarrels. He then speaks of the nosy woman on their party line, who listens in on their conversations. The singer sarcastically advises her to concentrate on her own life instead of meddling in theirs, suggesting that she has nothing better to do.
The second verse speaks of the singer's attractive girlfriend who attracts a lot of attention from other men. Once again, he advises outsiders to mind their own business and let him handle his own affairs. The final verse alludes to the general theme of the song with a reflection on the high societal value placed on delving into other people's lives. The singer concludes that he has enough on his plate trying to "mind his own business," and suggests that others do the same.
Overall, "Mind Your Own Business" is a humorous and lighthearted take on the negative consequences of nosiness and meddling, particularly in the context of personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
If the wife and I are fussin', brother that's our right
It’s natural for a couple to have disagreements, and others should respect their privacy.
'Cause me and that sweet woman's got a license to fight
We are committed to staying together and working through our problems.
Why don't you mind your own business?
Stop being intrusive and keep your attention directed towards yourself.
(Mind your own business)
Stop worrying about what others are doing and focus on your personal affairs.
'Cause if you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
If you respect my privacy, I will respect yours.
Oh, the woman on our party line's the nosiest thing
Our nosy neighbor always eavesdrops on our phone calls.
She picks up her receiver when she knows it's my ring
She purposely listens in on our conversations for information.
Well, if you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
If you don't intrude on my life, I won't intrude on yours.
I got a little gal that wears her hair up high
I have a girlfriend who is attractive and gets a lot of attention.
The boys all whistle when she walks by
Men can't resist her beauty and often show their admiration.
Well, if you mind your own business, you sure won't be minding mine
If you stay out of other people's affairs, you will have more time for your own.
If I want to honky tonk around 'til two or three
If I want to go out and have fun until late, it's my decision.
Now, brother that's my headache, don't you worry 'bout me
It's my problem to deal with, and you shouldn't be concerned.
Just mind your own business
Stop prying and focus on your own life.
If you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
If you don't interfere in my life, I won't interfere in yours.
Mindin' other people's business seems to be high-toned
It's seen as sophisticated to be aware of others' affairs.
I got all that I can do just to mind my own
I have enough to deal with in my own life, and I don't have time to worry about others.
If you mind your own business, you'll stay busy all the time
If you focus on your own life, you'll have enough to keep you occupied without involving yourself in others' affairs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Learned_Duvel
If the wife and I are fussin', brother that's our right
'Cause me and that sweet woman's got a license to fight
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
'Cause if you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
Oh, the woman on our party line's the nosiest thing
She picks up her receiver when she knows it's my ring
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
Well, if you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
I got a little gal that wears her hair up high
The boys all whistle when she walks by
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
Well, if you mind your business, you sure won't be minding mine
If I want to honky tonk around 'til two or three
Now, brother that's my headache, don't you worry 'bout me
Just mind your own business
Mind your own business
If you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine
Mindin' other people's business seems to be high-toned
I got all that I can do just to mind my own
Why don't you mind your own business
Mind your own business
If you mind your own business, you'll stay busy all the time
@Noneyasauce
Who are the people that disliked this?!? Probably the type that should have minded their own business...
@barrymccockiner731
The type of people who would look good laying on asphalt.
@AlanPaladin
+Sara Ashton - the paparazzi & their associates have never liked this song.
..just sayin'
@larrybill2661
Hello Sara how are you doing!!
@FaceTheStreets
Some nosey ass poeple that can't mine their own bizness!!!! lol
@Noneyasauce
Clearly this went over blueandyellows simple mind....edit: I see he deleted his crap comment
@G-Bill.187
The world would be a hell of a lot better if people would abide by this
@noisepollution6761
Stu henceforth 🙋♂️
@Merfington3rd
Bring old country back!!
@banjoplayingbison2275
Luckily there is people like Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, and Margo Price bringing it back and improving on it!