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.
Pins and Needles
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know how or where to start
I only know I'm here without you
And there's pins and needles in my heart
The days and nights are growin' longer
Since first you said that we must part
But now I know I can't forget you I've got pins and needles in my heart
I always see your face before me
Your smile is heaven's work of art
But now you're smiling at another
And there's pins and needles in my heart
Someday, somewhere I'll find you
And love will make the teardrops start
And then you'll know how long I've waited
With these pins and needles in my heart
The song "Pins and Needles in My Heart" by Hank Williams is a classic country ballad about heartache and the longing for a lost love. The lyrics describe the singer's desperation in trying to find the one they love, knowing that they are out there somewhere but not knowing how or where to start looking. The opening line, "I know not where on earth to find you" sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is filled with melancholy and sorrow.
The repeated refrain of "pins and needles in my heart" highlights the intense emotional pain that the singer is feeling, as they struggle to come to terms with the fact that their love is lost. The imagery of pins and needles suggest a physical manifestation of this pain, which is both poignant and powerful. The line "I always see your face before me, your smile is heaven's work of art" adds to the sadness of the song, as the singer can't help but think of their lost love and the happiness they once shared.
Despite the heartache and despair conveyed in the lyrics, there is also a sense of hope and determination. The last verse suggests that the singer will never give up on their search for love, no matter how long it takes. The line "someday, somewhere I'll find you" is both optimistic and romantic, showing that even in the depths of pain and loss, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
I know not where on earth to find you
I am unaware about where to locate you
I don't know how or where to start
I possess no idea regarding how or where to begin
I only know I'm here without you
I am aware of my presence without you here
And there's pins and needles in my heart
It feels like I am experiencing sharp pain in my heart
The days and nights are growin' longer
The duration of the days and nights feels longer and drawn-out
Since first you said that we must part
Ever since you first mentioned us splitting up
But now I know I can't forget you
I comprehend that it is impossible to forget about you
I've got pins and needles in my heart
It is almost like the pain in my heart intensifies
I always see your face before me
Your image often pops up in my mind
Your smile is heaven's work of art
The way you smile is nothing short of a masterpiece
But now you're smiling at another
I feel like currently you are smiling at someone else
And there's pins and needles in my heart
The angst in my heart seems to have amplified
Someday, somewhere I'll find you
At some point in time and some place, I will surely track you down
And love will make the teardrops start
When our love is reunited, I will be overwhelmed and weep tears of joy
And then you'll know how long I've waited
That is when you will realize the extent of time I spent waiting for you
With these pins and needles in my heart
Despite the unbearable pain in my heart
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lesterparfitt5694
Iam 73 been.listening to hank since I was in.my mothers womb
@tyyoung9983
This was a song written by one of my family members. She was paid 15 dollars for it. Such a beautiful song.
@eyoung2289
My dad wrote this..
@eyoung2289
we kin folk ???
@justincase4382
You don’t have to lie to kick it.
My uncle wrote this song.
(Your a joke)
@justincase4382
@@eyoung2289 I think you are an utter liar,
@eyoung2289
@@justincase4382 whos is your uncle? Your uncle unless he and my dad are the same person ..YOU are full of $HIT!!
@angelahatfield5683
Not any more on pins and needles. Full of God's love for Jesus
@cliftonkeeling6036
This song is written by Texas native Cindy Walker. One special lady and a special man singing it
@charlesclark572
Hanks lyrics are one of a kind idk how anyone could dislike this!!!!