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.
The Alabama Waltz
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seemed like the whole world was lost
And I took a chance and we happened to dance
To the tune of the Alabama Waltz
Waltz, waltz, the Alabama Waltz
There all my fears and cares were lost
There in your arms, with all of your charms
The lyrics to Hank Williams's song "The Alabama Waltz" tell the story of a person who was feeling sad and blue and as though the whole world was against them. However, they took a chance and decided to dance to the tune of the Alabama Waltz, and their spirits were lifted. The waltz provided an escape from all of their fears and worries, and they found solace in the arms of their partner. The lyrics suggest that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of music, dance, and human connection to lift our spirits and provide us with a much-needed escape from the stresses of life.
Overall, the message of the Alabama Waltz is quite straightforward: it is a celebration of the joys of dancing, the power of music, and the comforting embrace of love. Through the waltz, we can find a momentary respite from the worries and cares of life and connect with the people around us. By dancing, we can find a sense of community, joy, and hope that can brighten even the darkest of days.
Line by Line Meaning
I was sad and blue, I was down hearted, too
I was feeling very unhappy and discouraged
It seemed like the whole world was lost
Everything around me appeared hopeless
And I took a chance and we happened to dance
I decided to take a risk and ended up dancing with someone
To the tune of the Alabama Waltz
We were dancing to the specific rhythm of the Alabama Waltz song
Waltz, waltz, the Alabama Waltz
The song being played while we were dancing was called the Alabama Waltz
There all my fears and cares were lost
During the dance, I forgot about all of my worries and concerns
There in your arms, with all of your charms
I was being held by my dance partner who was very charming
We danced to the Alabama Waltz
The entire time we were dancing, the song playing was the Alabama Waltz
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind