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.
Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A day that should be free from care
Best wishes and congratulations
But only sorrow fills the air
While friends are singing happy birthday
There'll be smile upon my face
But when they're gone, the smile will vanish
A broken heart will take it's place
Another year has come and gone now
The plans I made have gone a stray
The day that should be filled with laughter
Will only be another day
The little house we planned together
Is empty now without you dear
But in my dreams you're there beside me
So let me dream that you are here
Hank Williams’s song “Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday” is a song about coping with the loss of a loved one on what is supposed to be a day of celebration. The song begins with the main character anticipating their birthday, which they believe should be a day free from care. However, they quickly realize that despite their friends wishing them well, only sorrow fills the air. The song highlights the stark contrast between the typical birthday celebration, where there is usually much joy and laughter, and the singer's experience of deep sadness and loneliness.
As the song progresses, the singer comes to the realization that the plans they had made for the future have gone astray, and they are now living without their loved one. The little house that they had planned together is now empty without them, which makes the day all the more heartbreaking. However, despite their sorrow, the singer tries to maintain a smile and keep up appearances for their friends, but when they are alone, their sadness becomes even more palpable, and they cannot hide their broken heart.
In conclusion, “Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday” is a song that expresses the deep pain and loneliness of living without a loved one, particularly on a day that is supposed to be joyous. The song delves into the harsh reality that even moments of joy and celebration can be a reminder of the loss of someone dear to us.
Line by Line Meaning
Next Sunday, darling is my birthday
The singer is announcing that their birthday is coming up soon.
A day that should be free from care
The singer believes that their birthday is a day when they should not have to worry about anything.
Best wishes and congratulations
The singer expects to receive good wishes and congratulations from their friends and loved ones.
But only sorrow fills the air
Despite the good wishes, the singer feels sad and unhappy.
While friends are singing happy birthday
The singer imagines their friends singing a happy birthday song.
There'll be smile upon my face
At that moment, the singer will be smiling because of their friends' good wishes.
But when they're gone, the smile will vanish
However, the singer knows that after their friends leave, their happiness will disappear.
A broken heart will take it's place
The singer's sadness and loneliness will take over their happiness.
Another year has come and gone now
The singer reflects on the passing of time since their last birthday.
The plans I made have gone astray
The singer had made plans for their birthday, but those plans did not turn out as expected.
The day that should be filled with laughter
The singer believes their birthday is a day when there should be lots of laughter and joy.
Will only be another day
However, the singer feels that their birthday will just be another ordinary day instead.
The little house we planned together
The singer and their loved one had plans to build a small house together.
Is empty now without you dear
However, the loved one is now gone, and the singer is left alone in an empty house.
But in my dreams you're there beside me
Despite their absence, the singer still dreams of being with their loved one.
So let me dream that you are here
The singer hopes that they can continue to dream of their loved one's presence as they celebrate their birthday.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DrChaunceyBlevins
Happy 100th Hank!!!
@NotSoMagicMerlin
Great man Hank was
@johnzzz1948
GREAT SONG!!!!!
@TruckerTales-ub3ih
He made it 52 years ago today: New Year's Day 1953. Happy anniversary in Heaven Hank!
@annieysvlog3775
How can I send it off