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 Caused It All By Telling Lies
Hank Williams Lyrics
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When you're alone and blue tonight my little darlin'
And you're pillows stained with tears from your blue eyes
I'm so sorry dear to say we're not together
But you know you caused it all by telling lies.
Now I know I'll never find another sweetheartWhen you left I hung my head down and I cried
But we quarled and now we're through my little darlin'
And you know you caused it all by telling lies.
We were happy, oh, so happy little darlin'
And our little home was like a paradise
But today you're all alone and broken hearted
And you know you caused it all by telling lies.
Now I know I'll never find another sweetheart
When you left I hung my head down and I cried
But we quarled and now we're through my little darlin'
And you know you caused it all by telling lies...
The song "You Caused It All By Telling Lies" by Hank Williams is a classic country song that deals with the universal themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and loss. The lyrics tell the story of a man who has been hurt by a lover who told lies, causing their relationship to fall apart. The man is now alone and grieving as he reflects on what has happened.
The song's opening lines set a somber mood, with the man addressing his "little darlin'" who he knows is alone and crying. He acknowledges that they are no longer together, and lays the blame squarely at her feet, stating that she caused the breakup by lying to him. The man is devastated by the loss of his lover, and knows that he will never find another sweetheart like her. He emphasizes this point again in the second verse, after describing how happy they used to be before she started lying.
The chorus ties together the main themes of the song, reiterating that the woman's lies caused the relationship to end, and that the man is now alone and heartbroken. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the man mourning the loss of his lover and the happiness they once shared.
Overall, the lyrics to "You Caused It All By Telling Lies" are a powerful portrayal of the pain and sorrow that comes with a broken heart. Hank Williams' signature vocal style and the simple, yet emotive melody of the song make it a classic example of traditional country music.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're alone and blue tonight my little darlin'
When you're feeling lonely and sad tonight, my dear
And you're pillows stained with tears from your blue eyes
When you've been crying and your tears soak into your pillows
I'm so sorry dear to say we're not together
I regret to inform you that we're no longer a couple
But you know you caused it all by telling lies
The reason for our separation is your deceitful behavior
Now I know I'll never find another sweetheart
I've come to terms with the fact that I won't find another love like you
When you left I hung my head down and I cried
I was heartbroken and cried when you left me
But we quarreled and now we're through my little darlin'
Our relationship is over because of the arguments we had
And you know you caused it all by telling lies
Your falsehoods were the root cause of our break up
We were happy, oh so happy little darlin'
We were incredibly joyous and content, my love
And our little home was like a paradise
Our humble abode was like a heavenly oasis
But today you're all alone and broken hearted
Nowadays you're lonely and suffering from a broken heart
And you know you caused it all by telling lies
You brought about this misfortune through your dishonesty
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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