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.
Rockin' Chair Money
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I got it the hard, hard way
I fought in every battle
From the start to the VJ day
And now I'll rock, yeah rock
Oh baby, rock, rock on down the line.
Now some folks seem to be jealousSome don't seem to care
But I got rockin' chair money, honey
To rock on away from here
'Cause I love to rock, yeah rock
Baby rock, rock on down the line.
I rocked away out on the ocean
I rocked from here and there
My baby stepped out while I was gone
Now she don't get my rockin' chair
'Cause I love to rock, yeah rock
Baby rock, rock on down the line.
I'll soon get my big check, baby
And then we'll have some fun
This rockin' chair money, honey
Is better than totin' a gun
'Cause I love to rock, yeah rock
Baby rock, let's rock on down the line.
Now, honey, let's go honky tonkin'
Let's honky tonk all night
Let's lollygag and smooch and love
And do it all up right
'Cause I love to rock, yeah rock
Baby rock, let's rock on down the line...
The song "Rockin' Chair Money" by Hank Williams is a song about a man who has made money through hard work and dedication. The song highlights the struggles that the singer has gone through, including fighting in battles from the start of the war to VJ day. Despite his hardships, the singer has "rockin' chair money" and can now live comfortably. He loves to "rock on down the line," which is likely a metaphor for enjoying life and living it to the fullest. His happiness is compounded by the fact that he can now do this with his partner, whom he invites to "go honky-tonkin' [and] lolly gag and smooch and love."
Line by Line Meaning
Rockin' chair money
The money he has now is enough for a comfortable, easy retirement
Now I got rockin' chair money
I have finally reached the point where I have enough money to retire comfortably
But I got it the hard, hard way
I had to work very hard for a long time to accumulate this money
I fought in every battle
I have worked hard and struggled in every aspect of my life to get what I have now
From the start to the VJ day
From the beginning of my life until the end of World War II, I worked and fought for what I have now
Now I'll rock, yeah, rock
Now that I have finally achieved financial security, I can relax and enjoy myself
Oh baby rock, rock on down the line
Let's keep enjoying ourselves and having fun
Now some folks seem to be jealous
Some people envy the fact that I have achieved financial stability
Some don't seem to care
Others don't really think about or care about my financial situation
But I got rockin' chair money, honey
Regardless of what others think or feel, I have enough money to live comfortably
To rock on away from here
I can leave this place and move on to new opportunities
'Cause I love to rock, yeah rock
I enjoy living life to the fullest and having a good time
Baby rock, rock on down the line
Let's keep enjoying ourselves and have fun in life
I rocked away out on the ocean
I have worked hard and struggled in every aspect of my life, including when I was serving in the Navy
I rocked from here and there
I have moved around and had many different experiences in my life
My baby stepped out while I was gone
While I was away, my partner cheated on me and ended the relationship
Now she don't get my rockin' chair
I don't have to share my newfound happiness and financial security with someone who didn't stay true to me
I'll soon get my big check, baby
I am expecting a large sum of money soon which will make my financial situation even better
And then we'll have some fun
Once the money arrives, we can start enjoying life even more
This rockin' chair money, honey
The money I have now is enough for a comfortable, easy retirement
Is better than totin' a gun
Having financial security is better than having to work hard and risk your life
Let's honky-tonk all night
Let's go out and have a good time, party all night
Let's lolly gag and smooch and love
Let's take it easy, enjoy each other's company, hug and kiss, and love one another
And do it all upright
Let's do everything the right way, have fun and enjoy life while keeping our morals and principles intact
Let's rock on down the line
Let's keep enjoying ourselves and have fun in life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobbyjoeyoung2becausesteph194
Best country singer of all-time and what makes him the best is his ability to turn any lyrics into good music
@mikeaubuchon8409
Hank is the measuring to that all country music artists are measured by .
He set the bar high and he's still the King .
Simply put - the greatest of all time .
@psuttonsr
They ain't nobody comes close to Ol' Hank!!
@cadenbariekman8851
This ol boy here is a good one better believe that!
@AlanPaladin
There is an old saying, something like - old country music superstars never die.. they just slowly fade away. I believe as long as their music is remembered and played, a part of them is still alive, always :)
@cadenbariekman8851
As long as there is music in this world someone will be listening to hank Williams and will be satisfied that they know better music than everyone else
@dantelyonheart6483
Well said
@michaelvance1118
I seen Hank 3 twice now in Portland. Dante's and the Roseland theatre... U wanna talk about a mean FUKKIN show!!!
@georgezink8256
I live for HANKS MUSIC
@clintwalls5217
There is still a gourds left in Happy Valley to be gathered!!
Happy Birthday Hank!!,Miss you,HankWilliams!!🌹🍻🥂