Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Willi… Read Full Bio ↴Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.

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.

You Better Keep It on Your Mind
Hank Williams Lyrics

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[Key: E]
Now if (E)you go out and start a playing around
Your baby`s gonna tear your playhouse down
You better (A)keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better keep it on your (E)mind (all the time)
You`ll be (B7)moanin` and a groanin`, Lord you better keep it on your (E)mind

Now wrong is wrong and right is right

If you make a snake mad he`s sure gonna bite
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
I`ve had it proven to me, Lord you better keep it on your mind

Every fuss with a woman has got the same ole end
I don`t believe the good Lord meant for a man to win
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You`ll be singing blue and lonesome, Lord you better keep it on your mind

If you make your baby mad and she says goodbye
There ain`t a thing you can do but sit at home and cry
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better call her sweet mama, Lord you better keep it on your mind

If the judge says pay her forty dollars a week
You`ll dig up the money or you`ll work the streets
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
When you`re wearing striped britches, son it`s gonna stay on your mind

So kiss her every mornin` and love her every night
Boy you can`t win no matter if you`re right
You better keep it on your mind (all the time)

You better keep it on your mind (all the time)
You better heed this warning, Lord you better keep it on your mind

Overall Meaning

The song "You Better Keep It on Your Mind" by Hank Williams is a warning to men about the consequences of infidelity and mistreating their partners. The song opens with a warning that if a man starts "playing around", his partner will eventually leave him. Williams advises the listener to keep this in mind at all times, otherwise, he will end up "moanin` and a groanin`". He goes on to caution that if you treat a snake badly, it will eventually bite you, and likewise, if a man treats his partner badly, he will face the consequences.

Williams goes on to explain that no matter how much a man may argue with his partner, the end result is always the same. He asserts that a man cannot win, and the song's refrain reminds the listener to keep these things in mind. The song concludes with the advice that it is better to love and cherish your partner every day than to risk losing them through mistreatment or infidelity.

Overall, "You Better Keep It on Your Mind" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking one's partner for granted. The song reminds the listener that love requires effort and care, and that neglecting one's partner can have dire consequences.

You Better Keep It on Your MindHank Williams Lyrics

You Better Keep It on Your Mind
Hank Williams Lyrics