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.
Nobody's Lonesome For Me
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But nobody's lonesome for me
Ev'rybody's thinkin' 'bout somebody else
But nobody thinks about me
When the time rolls around for me to lay down and die
I bet I'll have to go and hire me someone to cry
Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else
Nobody is lonesome for me.
Ev'rybody's longin' for somebody else
But nobody's lonesome for me
Ev'rybody's dreamin' about somebody else
But nobody dreams about me
All I need is a bride who want's a big-hearted groom
I wouldn't care if she come ridin' in on a broom
Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else
No-bod-o-dy lonesome for me.
Ev'rybody's pinin' for somebody else
But nobody's lonesome for me
Ev'rybody's crazy 'bout somebody else
But nobody's crazy 'bout me
Oh, I shined up my shoes and then I slicked down my hair
Put on my Sunday suit, but I ain't goin' nowhere
Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else
But nobody's lonesome for me.
Ev'rybody's yearnin' for somebody else
But nobody's lonesome for me
Ev'rybody's fallin' for somebody else
But nobody's fallin' for me
Now I ain't had a kiss since I fell out of my crib
It looks to me like I been cheated out of my rib
Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else
No-bod-o-dy lonesome for me.
Hank Williams's song "Nobody's Lonesome for Me" is a self-pitying tune about a man who feels forgotten and overlooked. The lyrics express deep feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. The opening lines, "Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else / But nobody's lonesome for me," set the tone for the song, with the singer lamenting his own lack of attention and affection.
The song continues with the singer pointing out how everyone else is thinking about someone else, dreaming about someone else, and pining for someone else, but not him. He sarcastically talks about how he will have to hire someone to cry at his funeral since no one will miss him when he is gone. He then talks about wanting a bride who will want him but acknowledges that he would not care even if she came riding in on a broomstick.
The song captures the deep-seated pain of loneliness and the sense of not belonging, highlighting the universal desire for love and connection. It is a poignant reminder that everyone wants to be loved, and nobody wants to feel forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else
Everyone is lonely and longing for someone else
But nobody's lonesome for me
But no one is lonely or longing for me
Ev'rybody's thinkin' 'bout somebody else
Everyone is thinking about someone else
But nobody thinks about me
But no one is thinking about me
When the time rolls around for me to lay down and die
When my time comes to pass away
I bet I'll have to go and hire me someone to cry
I may have to pay someone to cry at my funeral since no one will miss me
All I need is a bride who want's a big-hearted groom
I just want someone who will love me despite my faults
I wouldn't care if she come ridin' in on a broom
I don't care what my future bride looks like or where she comes from
Ev'rybody's pinin' for somebody else
Everyone is yearning for someone else
Ev'rybody's crazy 'bout somebody else
Everyone is crazy about someone else
Oh, I shined up my shoes and then I slicked down my hair
I got ready and dressed up, hoping for someone to notice me
Put on my Sunday suit, but I ain't goin' nowhere
I dressed up but have nowhere to go and no one to see
Ev'rybody's yearnin' for somebody else
Everyone is longing for someone else
Ev'rybody's fallin' for somebody else
Everyone is falling in love with someone else
Now I ain't had a kiss since I fell out of my crib
I have not had any romantic experiences in my life
It looks to me like I been cheated out of my rib
I feel like I have been denied a partner or companion in life
No-bod-o-dy lonesome for me.
No one is lonely or longing for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donna Schuyler
I learned about Hank Williams as a little girl from my mother - she loved his music and played it all the time. As an adult, I've done some research about ole' Hank - his songs are so poignant. He died at 29 years old, which means he wrote his songs in his early 20s. How much life experience must he have had in order to be able to write like this. His life was sad and he was a musical genius!
Glen McGregor
I arrived in this country just 5 years after Hank passed away. I learned about him and I've been a steadfast fan ever since. They don't get any better than Hank.
Jesse Belcher
Hank Williams is the pioneer of country. When I look at County music today it sadens me how far it has strayed from this.
jtls8
Thank you for sharing your great Hank collection!!!!!!!
Yesica1993
Story of my life! Glad to have discovered this on VDay!
bgsrickus
well what do i know about that? back again
bgsrickus
+Yesica1993 - yeah, Alone and Forsaken sent me here
tsegoqui
haven't heard this in years great hank thanks for posting
David Carroll
Gotta know his is the voice of experience, nothing he does is phony. I read somewhere, a long time ago, he told a up-and-comer, "Sing about what you know, have done, and are doing, and you won't ever have to make up a single thing."
R Mac
lol! the next line reeks of 'pure genius' as well, "..it looks like I've been cheated outta my rib"! If he wrote this song, he must have been feeling really bitter about being lonely that day. I love his songs and his writing, true talent all the way.