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.
When You're Tired of Breaking Others Hearts
Hank Williams Lyrics
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Won't you come back again and break mine?
When you're tired of home and darlin'
And the love light no longer shines
When your dream world falls around you
And you sit by yourself and pine
When you're tired of breaking other hearts
Won't you come back again and break mine?
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song "When You're Tired of Breaking Other Hearts" depict a desperate plea from someone who is willing to be hurt just to have the love of another. The singer addresses an individual who they know has a pattern of breaking hearts, and begs them to come back and break theirs once they tire of playing the game. The singer is willing to put themselves through the pain of heartbreak just to be with the person they love. It's a hopeless and self-destructive choice, but one that shows just how deep their feelings run.
The lyrics are poignant and speaks to the desperation of love. They paint a picture of someone who is willing to do anything, including put themselves through emotional anguish to be with the one they love. The song's melancholic tune and lyrics communicate the emotions of a vulnerable heart that is willing to put themselves in harm's way to find true love.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're tired of breaking other hearts
When you're exhausted from constantly hurting other people emotionally
Won't you come back again and break mine?
Why not try breaking my heart next, when you get tired of hurting others?
When you're tired of home and darlin'
When you're no longer satisfied and content with your current romantic partner and domestic life
And the love light no longer shines
When the spark and passion in your relationship fades away
When your dream world falls around you
When your idealistic vision of life and love crumbles and disappoints you
And you sit by yourself and pine
When you're left alone to brood and yearn for something unattainable
When you're tired of breaking other hearts
When you eventually grow tired and weary of hurting others emotionally
Won't you come back again and break mine?
My heart is waiting for you to shatter it, just like you've been doing to others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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