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.
Why Should I Cry
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I kept my vows, you left me all alone
You told me you loved me, you told me a lie
Why should I pay? Tell me why should I cry?
You knew I worshiped you right from the start
Gave you my love, never thought that we'd part
You didn't care enough to even say goodbye
You know I miss you, now that you're gone
Life can be sad when you're livin' all alone
But, darlin', I'll forget you, your memory will die
Why should I pay? Tell me why should I cry?
In Hank Williams's song Why Should I Cry, the singer is questioning why he should be crying over the end of his relationship. He recognizes that he never did anything wrong and that he kept his vows, yet his partner left him alone and betrayed him by telling him she loved him when it was a lie. He reminisces about how he worshiped her right from the start and gave her his love, never expecting to part ways. However, she did not care enough to even say goodbye, leaving him hurt and confused. The singer admits that life is sad when you're living alone, but he is determined to forget her and move on with his life, asking once more, why should he cry?
The song is a clear example of the heartache that can come with being in a relationship that's ended. The lyrics express sadness and confusion, as well as a sense of betrayal. Hank Williams's unique, soulful voice adds depth to the emotions the singer is feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I cry?
I see no reason to cry
I never done you wrong
I didn't do anything wrong to you
I kept my vows, you left me all alone
I was faithful to you, but you abandoned me
You told me you loved me, you told me a lie
You deceived me by saying you loved me
Why should I pay? Tell me why should I cry?
I don't deserve to suffer the consequences of your actions
You knew I worshiped you right from the start
I adored you from the beginning
Gave you my love, never thought that we'd part
I gave you all my love and thought we would be together forever
You didn't care enough to even say goodbye
You didn't care about me enough to give me closure
You know I miss you, now that you're gone
I can't deny that I am saddened by your absence
Life can be sad when you're livin' all alone
Being alone can be a gloomy experience
But, darlin', I'll forget you, your memory will die
Eventually, I'll forget about you and our past together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind