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.
Moanin' The Blues
Hank Williams Lyrics
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There wasn't nothin' I could do
But mosey around with my head in my hands
Lord what am I comin' to
I just keep moanin'
Moa-oanin' the blues.
I wrote a nice, long letter
Your dad-ad-dy is lon-one-some
And all I do is moan
I been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I can't afford to lose her now
I thought I was right but I must of been wrong
'Cause my head is startin' to bow
And now I'm moanin'
Moa-oanin' the blues.
If you want a good gal to stay around
You gotta treat her nice and kind
If you do her wrong she'll leave this town
And you'll almost lose your mind
Then you'll moanin' moa-oanin' the blues.
Aw baby, baby, baby
Honey baby, please come home
Your dad-ad-dy is lon-one-some and all I do is moan
I promise you baby that I'll be good
And I'll never be bad no more
I'm sittin' here waitin' for you right now
To walk through that front door
Then I'll stop moanin' moa-oanin' the blues
In "Moanin' the Blues," Hank Williams sings about the pain of losing his lover and being alone with his sorrow. He describes himself as walking around aimlessly with his head in his hands, wondering what he has come to. Williams uses the phrase "moanin' the blues" to describe the way he's feeling as he longs for his ex-lover.
The lyrics reveal his desperation as he tries to win his lover back. He writes a letter, pleading with her to come back, reassuring her that he'll never be bad again. However, he acknowledges that he may have done her wrong in the past, and now he's paying the price with his heartache. He knows that if he wants a good thing, he's got to treat it well, and he's lost sight of that.
Williams' melancholy tone and mournful lyrics strike a chord with anyone who has gone through the pain of a breakup. His desperation is palpable, as is his regret for not treating his lover with the kindness she deserved. In the end, he begs his lover to return, promising to be good and never hurt her again.
Line by Line Meaning
When my baby moved out and the blues moved in
My girl left me and a great sorrow fills me
There wasn't nothin' I could do
I am helpless and feel defeated
But mosey around with my head in my hands
I wander aimlessly, lost in thought and despair
Lord what am I comin' to
I feel like I'm going crazy with heartbreak
I just keep moanin' Moa-oanin' the blues.
All I can do is sigh and lament my misery
I wrote a nice, long letter
I tried to reach out to her and communicate my emotions
Sayin' mama please come home
Asking her to come back and heal my broken heart
Your dad-ad-dy is lon-one-some
I am lonely and miserable without you
And all I do is moan
All I can do is express my sorrow and pain
I been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I have loved her with all my heart for a really long time
I can't afford to lose her now
I cannot bear the thought of losing her
I thought I was right but I must of been wrong
I made a mistake and now regret it deeply
'Cause my head is startin' to bow
I am ashamed and defeated by my wrongdoings
And now I'm moanin'
My heart is heavy and I am consumed by grief
Moa-oanin' the blues.
My only solace is to keep expressing my sadness
If you want a good gal to stay around
To keep your woman, you must treat her well
You gotta treat her nice and kind
Be loving and compassionate towards her
If you do her wrong she'll leave this town
If you mistreat her, she will walk away
And you'll almost lose your mind
The pain of losing her will be unbearable
Then you'll moanin' moa-oanin' the blues.
You will also be consumed with sadness and lament your actions
Aw baby, baby, baby
My heart is crying out for you
Honey baby, please come home
Please return and heal my heartache
I promise you baby that I'll be good
I vow to treat you with love and respect
And I'll never be bad no more
I have learned from my mistakes and will never repeat them
I'm sittin' here waitin' for you right now
I am patiently waiting for your return
To walk through that front door
To open the door to my love and forgiveness
Then I'll stop moanin' moa-oanin' the blues
With you back in my life, my sadness will recede and joy will return to my heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind