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.
Never Again
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But each time my dear, it was worse than before
Now my heart is broke, it's sad and it's sore
So never again will I knock on your door
Oh you know that I love you no other will do
Please tell me darlin' why can't you be true
But now you are gone, it's over and so
Someday you'll be so lonely and blue
Then you will know just how much I love you
But now you are gone, it's over and so
Never again will I knock on your door
Many a night I've cried over you
Hoping and prayin' some day you'd be true
But now you are gone, it's over I know
So never again will I knock on your door
Oh you know that I love you no other will do
Please tell me darlin' why can't you be true
But now you are gone, it's over and so
Never again will I knock on your door
The lyrics of "Never Again" by Hank Williams tells the story of a man who keeps going back to a woman who doesn't appreciate him. Despite his efforts to make things right, every attempt they make at a relationship only makes things worse. The man finally decides to end things and says he will never knock on her door again. He still loves her and hopes that she will one day understand how much he cared for her. The song tells a simple, but universal story of unrequited love, heartbreak, and moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you know that I've come back and we've tried it all over
I have attempted to make things work between us again, but it has been unsuccessful.
But each time my dear, it was worse than before
Every time we tried to make it work, it only got worse.
Now my heart is broke, it's sad and it's sore
My heart is shattered and I feel intense emotional pain.
So never again will I knock on your door
I have decided that I will not try to reconcile with you any longer.
Oh you know that I love you no other will do
I am deeply in love with you and cannot imagine being with anyone else.
Please tell me darlin' why can't you be true
I am asking you to be honest and loyal to our relationship.
But now you are gone, it's over and so
Our relationship has come to an end and there is no going back.
Someday you'll be so lonely and blue
I believe that one day you will feel as lonely and heartbroken as I do now.
Then you will know just how much I love you
When you experience the same pain I am feeling, you will understand the depth of my love for you.
Many a night I've cried over you
I have spent countless nights crying because of my love for you.
Hoping and prayin' some day you'd be true
I have always hoped and prayed that you would be faithful to me someday.
But now you are gone, it's over I know
Our relationship has come to an end and I have accepted that fact.
So never again will I knock on your door
I have made the decision to move on and not to try to reconcile with you again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Aubuchon
The true & only King of Country Music and the
brightest star that Country Music has ever had .
In 6 short years , Hank Williams achieved more then most artist do in decades and left a musical legacy for generations of fans .
I was 10 years old and on the way back from the mailbox with my dad . My dad started to sing Your Cheatin Heart . I asked my dad about the song and who sang it . He told me Hank Williams . He brought me in the house and pulled out some record albums of Hank's and I've listened to Hank ever since .
In 1977 , the trucks voted Your Cheatin Heart there favorite song and a new album 24 greatest hits of Hank Williams was released. The first dollar I ever made cutting grass as a boy I spent on a Hank Williams album.
Also in 1977 the Pevely drive in had Hank Williams life story playing .
As you can tell I'm a big Hank fan . I grew up listening to Hank and I wouldn't have it any other way .
Rosa Jones
love all of his songs, they all came from the heart and went straight to our heart !!!
Bob Harris
This was Hank's first recording session. On that session was "Calling You", "Wealth won't save your soul", "When God comes and gathers his jewels". Dec 11, 1946, WSM Studios, Nashville. According to my records, he wrote them all. Recorded on the Sterling label. 7/16.
Evan Thompson
The best singer to set face on this earth!
Rene de Jong
Just, close your eyes and listen.......Beautiful!
CowboyOld
My favorite Hank song. I bought the 78 when I was a teenager. I still have the record; needless to say it is hardly playable. Hank was the best! Thanks for the post.
David Wright
The best..hank's songs will last forever.
Judy waldner
One of my favorite’s, this man can sing!
रोहित बाशु कुमार सोलंकी
He is legend
Rafael Willems
It even has a groove to it. Like good cajun music, pushing forward. How did het do it?