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.
There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
She got golden hair and big blue eyes she could win a beauty prize
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
If I ever lose her I'll lay me down and die
If sugar seems sweet then you oughta meet my honey coated sweetie pie
I like candy and I like cake and I like jam but goodness sake
There's nothing as sweet as my baby[ guitar - steel ]
Now I like candy and I like cake and I like jam but goodness sake
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
I'll be like a honeybee when she's buzzin' round with me
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
Got pounds of candy kisses but I can't spare an ounce
She's sweeter than wine and brother she's mine
And that's the only thing that counts
I like candy and I like cake and I like jam but goodness sake
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
Hank Williams's 1951 hit song "There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby" is an ode to his love for his significant other. The song's verses describe Williams's fondness for candy, cake, and jam, but asserts that nothing is as sweet as his lover. Williams employs vivid imagery to describe her physical beauty, stating that her "golden hair and big blue eyes" could win a beauty prize. Williams professes his deep love for his partner, stating that if he ever lost her, he'd "lay down and die." The song concludes with an acknowledgement of the sweetness of his partner's love and loyalty.
Throughout the song, Williams employs sweet food imagery to convey the depth of his love for his partner. He compares his partner to candy and cake, which are often associated with pleasure, and describes his partner's love as "honey-coated." This imagery serves to emphasize the love and sweetness that Williams feels for his partner.
Overall, "There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby" is a classic example of Hank Williams's signature country sound and heartfelt lyricism. The song's straightforward and sincere lyrics, combined with Williams's evocative vocal delivery, create a moving portrait of romantic love and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I like candy and I like cake and I like jam but goodness sake
There are many sweet things I enjoy, such as candy, cake, and jam, but nothing compares to the sweetness of my baby.
There's nothing as sweet as my baby
My baby is the sweetest thing in the world, and nothing else compares to her.
She got golden hair and big blue eyes she could win a beauty prize
My baby is not only sweet, but also incredibly beautiful, with her golden hair and big blue eyes that could win a beauty prize.
If I ever lose her I'll lay me down and die
Losing my baby would be unimaginable, and I couldn't imagine living without her.
If sugar seems sweet then you oughta meet my honey coated sweetie pie
If you think sugar is sweet, you haven't met my baby, who is sweeter than anything else in the world.
I'll be like a honeybee when she's buzzin' round with me
When my baby is with me, I feel like a honeybee buzzing with happiness and excitement.
Got pounds of candy kisses but I can't spare an ounce
I have many sweet kisses from my baby, but I can't bear to part with a single one of them.
She's sweeter than wine and brother she's mine
My baby is sweeter than the finest wine, and I'm proud to call her mine.
And that's the only thing that counts
At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that my baby is mine and that she's the sweetest thing in the world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CaptainDesiderio
Nobody will top Hank. Ever.
@karmas.570
I LOVE YOU SWEET BABY
@glipzik
Hank wrote this song for Carl Smith. It was a regional hit for Carl being the flip side of "Let's Live A Little". This is a very good rendition by Hank though. First time I've heard him sing it live. I've heard the home recording he made with just his guitar. Too bad this was never put out as a single.
@notvaxed
My and my sweet little girl dance to this she.....we love it
@zoeywaldner1125
Great late Imortal Hank Williams sr.! Yes
@loverofcountry506070
I just heard Carl Smith's version of this tune. Now, I like Carl Smith, but my Lord, nobody can sing a Hank William's song like Hank can.
@crocks2871
loverofcountry506070 Carl Smith was in the Studios at WSM studio B watching Hank sing this. If you’ve heard the whole show you can hear Hank acknowledging Carl Smith’s presence in the studio
@mauricedavis7235
I agree Hank the one and only
@charliesmith8079
There ain't nothing as MEAN AS MY BABY
@wilfredheggart647
i love this song