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.
Move It On Over
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That baby of mine wouldn't let me in
So move it on over (move it on over)
Move it on over (move it on over)
Move over little dog 'cause the big dog's moving in
She's changed the lock on my front door
My door key don't fit no more
Scoot it on over (move it on over)
Move over skinny dog 'cause the fat dog's moving in
The dog house here is mighty small
But it's better than no house at all
So ease it on over (move it on over)
Drag it on over (move it on over)
Move over old dog 'cause a new dog's moving in
She told me not to play around
But I done let the deal go down
So pack it on over (move it on over)
Tote it on over (move it on over)
Move over nice dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
She warned me once, she warned me twice
But I don't take no one's advice
So scratch it on over (move it on over)
Shake it on over (move it on over)
Move over short dog 'cause a tall dog's moving in
She'll crawl back to me on her knees
I'll be busy scratching fleas
So slide it on over (move it on over)
Sneak it on over (move it on over)
Move over good dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
Remember pup, before you whine
That side's yours and this side's mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
Move over cold dog 'cause a hot dog's moving in
Hank Williams's Move It On Over is a humorous song about a man who has been kicked out of his house by his wife and is banished to a tiny doghouse in the backyard. The song is full of witty and clever wordplay, with each verse using a variation on the phrase "move it on over" to describe the singer's journey from the house to the doghouse.
The first verse sets up the situation: the singer came home late and found that his wife had locked him out of the house. He tells his dog to move over because he's moving in. The second verse continues the story, with the singer discovering that his key no longer works and he's been effectively kicked out of the house. He tells his dog to scoot over because he's moving in.
The rest of the verses follow a similar pattern, with the singer describing his new life in the doghouse and using different variations on the "move it on over" phrase. The song is a classic example of Hank Williams's humorous and clever songwriting style and remains a staple of country music to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Came in last night at half past ten
I arrived home last night at 10:30 pm
That baby of mine wouldn't let me in
My partner wouldn't allow me to enter the house
So move it on over (move it on over)
Let me come in
Move it on over (move it on over)
Move away from the door
Move over little dog 'cause the big dog's moving in
Get out of my way, I'm coming in
She's changed the lock on my front door
My partner has changed the locks to keep me from coming in
My door key don't fit no more
My key is now useless as it can't unlock the door
So get it on over (move it on over)
Open the door for me
Scoot it on over (move it on over)
Move out of my way
Move over skinny dog 'cause the fat dog's moving in
I'm coming in, so get out of my way
The dog house here is mighty small
The place I am staying in is very cramped
But it's better than no house at all
It's better than being out in the streets with nowhere to go
So ease it on over (move it on over)
Move over and make some space for me
Drag it on over (move it on over)
Help me make some space to stay
Move over old dog 'cause a new dog's moving in
I'm coming in to stay, so make some space
She told me not to play around
My partner warned me against infidelity
But I done let the deal go down
But I went ahead and cheated on her anyway
So pack it on over (move it on over)
Get ready to move over so I can come back home
Tote it on over (move it on over)
Bring everything over to make room for me
Move over nice dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
Get out of the way, I'm coming in angry!
She warned me once, she warned me twice
I was given advice twice, but I didn't listen
But I don't take no one's advice
I make my own decisions
So scratch it on over (move it on over)
Start moving and prepare for my arrival
Shake it on over (move it on over)
Make room for me by shaking things up
Move over short dog 'cause a tall dog's moving in
I'm taller than you and coming in, so move over
She'll crawl back to me on her knees
My partner will beg for forgiveness eventually
I'll be busy scratching fleas
I'll be too busy to pay attention to her apologies
So slide it on over (move it on over)
Make way for me
Sneak it on over (move it on over)
Make my entry to the house as smoothly as possible
Move over good dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
Get out of the way, I'm coming in mad!
Remember pup, before you whine
Before you complain or protest
That side's yours and this side's mine
Stick to your side, and I'll stick to mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Move over to your side and make some space
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
Clear some space for me
Move over cold dog 'cause a hot dog's moving in
I'm here now and you better make room for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul London
"Ringo and George were huge country fans."
True
" John, not so much."
False
"Paul a little."
A little more than you seem to think.
"None of them were communists unless you are a facist. Then everyone is a communist"
True
Roy Andersen
I'm Norwegian. I know absolutely nothing about American country music, but this guy has something special!
audiophile man
Hank Sr. was the inventor of modern country music and is the soul of country music.
Art turner
We have 3 generations of Hank Williams today. His son, grandson and great grandson are keeping the tradition alive
User 1
Listen to George thourougoods version if you havnt.
Tina Charles
Oh, the Country music of the 40's through the early 60's was filled with so much talent! My parents loved it. When my dad was home on his days off, mom would put on a stack of LP's, me and my 2 older sister's and little brother would be playing, while our parents sang with our Aunt and Uncle, playing guitars, they were pretty darn good! They listened to George Jones, Porter Wagner, The Browns, a little bluegrass too. I use to sing with two of my younger brother's, and we were pretty good too.
Chris Corkins
the guitar solo in this song, is amazing, for being written in 1947. just brilliant
Mark
That's what brought me here. Got a fantastic lesson from Randy Rich teaching this solo.
Jim Cushman
Released in June 1947....considered by music historians to be one of the earliest examples of what would become known as "rock'n'roll" later in the mid 1950's....CLASSIC!!
Michael Lozano
@richard brazzel , se parece mucho
Billy Bob
@Monotone Wrong. Country comes from European Folk music, that ended up in the Appalachians. It existed long before what we know as the "Blue"s, which came about in the late 19th century