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.
Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many boyfriends and sociable sals may drive your sweetheart away
Gentlemen of the jury the judge's speech began
The scene was a crowded courtroom and the judge a stern old man
This prisoner here before you is a social enemy
A lady of the evening and you know the penalty
Her eyes reflect the nightlife her cheeks they're red with paint
Now I know that she's not like her and yet she might have been
If it hadn't been for petting parties cigarettes and gin
We took the night life off the streets and brought it in our own homes
While girls beguiled with lipstick danced to saxophones
We opened up the underworld to the ones we loved so well
So tell me gentlemen is it right to send her to a cell
If she drinks while you taught her and if she smokes you showed her how
So gentlemen do you think it's right to condemn her now
And when you're in that jury room just remember there and then
That for every fallen woman there's a hundred fallen men
And before you render a verdict on what this girl has done
Just remember there's a man to blame and that man might be your son
Now gentlemen that's my story my testimony stands
This girl is my own daughter and the case is in your hands
Those Broadway roses and prevalent sounds at too many parties and too many pals
Hank Williams's song 'Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals' is a cautionary tale about the dangers of indulging in a wild and uncontrollable social lifestyle. The song begins by warning the listener of the consequences of having too many friends and attending too many parties. Williams believes that this lifestyle can ultimately lead to heartbreak and losing one's loved ones. The tone of the song is somber and reflective as Williams laments the loss of a romantic partner and the cost of indulging in vice.
The lyrics then shift to a courtroom scene, where a "lady of the evening" has been brought before the court for her actions. The judge argues that this woman's lifestyle is the direct result of a society that has made it easy for people to indulge in vices such as drinking and smoking. He argues that the night life has been brought inside our homes, making it difficult for individuals to stay away from these vices.
The song highlights the double standards that exist in society when it comes to judging women for their actions, whereas men often get away with similar or worse offenses. The lyrics reveal that the woman on trial may have fallen prey to the temptations of the night-life but that there are many men who had a role in shaping her behavior.
To conclude, Williams's song Too Many Parties and Too Many Pals is a warning against the harmful effects that a dissolute lifestyle can have on an individual's life. The lyrics warn that indulging in vices and being surrounded by too many people can ultimately lead to a loss of love and a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many parties and too many pals will break your heart someday
Attending too many social gatherings and making too many friends may lead to heartbreak in the future.
Too many boyfriends and sociable gals may drive your sweetheart away
Having multiple partners and outgoing female friends can cause your significant other to become distant.
Gentlemen of the jury the judge's speech began
The judge started addressing the men selected for the jury duty.
The scene was a crowded courtroom and the judge a stern old man
The setting was a packed legal room, where the magistrate was a strict elderly person.
This prisoner here before you is a social enemy
The detainee being presented as the accused is a person deemed unsuitable for society.
A lady of the evening and you know the penalty
A woman involved in prostitution, and you are aware of the punishment for such an offense.
Her eyes reflect the nightlife her cheeks they're red with paint
One can see the after-effects of late-night pleasures in her eyes, and her cheeks have makeup indicating a party lifestyle.
But I knew her mother gentlemen why her mother was a saint
I knew her mother, and she was a good person.
Now I know that she's not like her and yet she might have been
She is not like her mother, but she could have been if not influenced by her surroundings.
If it hadn't been for pettin' parties cigarettes and gin
She would have turned out differently if she had not participated in casual sexual activities, smoking, and drinking.
We took the night life off the streets and brought it in our own homes
We shifted the party culture from public places to our residences.
While girls beguiled with lipstick danced to saxophones
As women charmed people with their makeup, they danced to saxophone music.
We opened up the underworld to the ones we loved so well
We exposed our close ones to the seedy side of society.
So tell me gentlemen is it right to send her to a cell
So, I ask the gentlemen if it is justified to imprison her.
If she drinks while you taught her and if she smokes you showed her how
If she drinks and smokes, it's because you introduced these activities to her.
So gentlemen do you think it's right to condemn her now
Hence, I ask the gentlemen if it is ethical to convict her now.
And when you're in that jury room just remember there and then
Furthermore, when making the final decision, please recollect this in the jury room.
That for every fallen woman there's a hundred fallen men
For every woman who has deviated from the societal norm, hundred men have done the same.
And before you render a verdict on what this girl has done
So, before you decide what to do with this girl,
Just remember there's a man to blame and that man might be your son
Please keep in mind that this situation is not entirely her fault, and someone like your child could be responsible too.
Now gentlemen that's my story my testimony stands
So, Gentlemen, that concludes my account, and I stand by it.
This girl is my own daughter and the case is in your hands
I am related to this girl, but it is up to you to give the judgment.
Those Broadway roses and prevalent sounds at too many parties and too many pals
The song mentions Broadway roses and popular music at numerous social events and among acquaintances.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RAY HENDERSON MUSIC CO., INC., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILLY ROSE, MORT DIXON, RAY HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Al Qumran
Hank Williams the great master of country poetry and music. Hank had a voice like no other. One of the greatest talent that has passed through the world.
Shade-E
This was not written by him
Tammie Almany
True ❤️🌻 ☕❤️
Roxanne Dixon
My dad's favourite, he was older than me, like 40 years. He loved John Cash too.
tommy overstreet
The king of country music.
Hank Williams
I am?
Robert Allen
..yep..