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 Broke Your Own Heart
Hank Williams Lyrics

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YOU BROKE YOUR OWN HEART
WRITERS HANK WILLIAMS, HANK WILLIAMS JR.

You're letter says you're unhappy we're many miles apart
It's a little late to ask for pity,
Remember you broke your own heart
You walked out on the heart that loved you, has no pity from the start
You cheated and lied and now you're gonna cry,

Remember you broke your own heart
A heart can stand so much sorrow and then it bends and breaks
And a love that is honest and true can turn to bitter hate
Now that you're gone and lonely, and your dreams have fallen apart

Think of the one that once loved you,
Remember you broke your own heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "You Broke Your Own Heart" by Hank Williams Jr. tell the story of a person who blames distance and external circumstances for their unhappiness, but fail to recognize that they are the ones responsible for breaking their own heart. The first stanza makes it clear that the person is seeking pity by expressing their unhappiness in a letter. Williams suggests that it is too late for the person to seek pity since they are the one who willingly left the person who loved them, no matter how far they were, and started to cheat and lie.

The second stanza adds to the sentiment, insinuating that a heart can only take so much pain before it breaks, and honest love can quickly turn into hate with enough time. The third and final stanza suggests that now that the person has realized they are alone, and their dreams have fallen apart, they should think about the partner they once had and remember that it was they who broke their own heart.

Overall, the song is a reminder that it is essential to take responsibility for one's actions and that blaming others or external circumstances will lead to loneliness and heartbreak.

You Broke Your Own HeartHank Williams Lyrics

You Broke Your Own Heart
Hank Williams Lyrics