The grandson of Hank Williams and the son of Hank Williams Jr., he spent much of his early years playing drums in metal and punk rock bands. In 1996, child support payments led Hank III to sign a contract with Music City giant Curb. Three Hanks: Men With Broken Hearts was issued shortly thereafter, which brought the voices of all three generations of Williams men together. While this may seem to be a nice beginning, it was quite different from what Hank III himself desired musically. Despite having been born in Nashville, Tennessee, Hank III has never had a preference for mainstream country.
While his name (and his uncanny vocal and physical resemblances to his grandfather) could have guaranteed him a thriving country audience, he had no patience for the often predictable Nashville sound, nor for even the minimal constraints on behavior his promoters required. His opinions on this subject are well summed up in the songs "Trashville" and "Dick in Dixie".
His first album on his own, titled Risin' Outlaw, was released in September 1999. Lovesick, Broke & Driftin' was released in 2002. He had a great deal of trouble with his label Curb Records, with incidents as extreme as their unwillingness to either release his appropriately named This Ain't Country LP, nor allow him to issue it alone, and his selling of "F*** Curb" T-shirts. Battles with Walmart had delayed the release of his third studio album, titled Straight To Hell, which will be released on Feburary 28th as a two-disc in two formats: a clean version (for Wal-Mart), and an uncensored version, which will be the first country album to bear a parental advisory sticker on the cover.
He plays country with his "damn band" and produces a rather different sound with Assjack, which is a metalcore/psychobilly band. He is also the Bass guitarist in Superjoint Ritual, with former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo. Superjoint Ritual has since disbanded but III is still working with Anselmo on one of his many side-projects (like arson anthem, mentioned below).
A number of "sub-sub-genres" have been coined describing his original sound, such as hard-twang, slacker swing, hellbilly, and honky punk.
Hank III has recorded the tracks "87 Southbound", "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", as well as "Why Don't You Leave Me Alone", which were penned by Wayne Hancock, a musician who is often compared to him.
Hank III enjoys an extremely loyal grassroots fan base and much of his success can be attributed to his taper friendly stance regarding the audio/videotaping of his frenetic live shows which has been his main promotional vehicle considering the lack of attention paid to his promotion by the Curb Record label.
The Damn Band/Assjack also featured fiddle player extraordinaire Michael "Fiddleboy" McCanless who would play both sets, the traditional country set of the concert and then come back and plug his fiddle into a distortion box and saw away during the metal set. Sadly his talent left this world on February 3, 2003 after losing a battle with cancer, of which the cry of "Fuck Cancer" came out of Hank III's "Fuck Curb" campaign.
In late 2004 Thrown Out of the Bar was slated for release, but Curb opted not to issue it. Williams and label executive Mike Curb would be in and out of court for the next year before a judge ruled in favor of Williams in the spring of 2005, demanding that Curb release the album. Shortly thereafter Williams and Curb came to terms, and Williams dropped his "Fuck Curb" campaign. Bar was reworked into Straight to Hell, released on Curbβs rock imprint, Bruc. Battles with Wal-Mart delayed the appearance of this album, which was released on February 28, 2006 as a two-disc set in two formats: a censored version (for Wal-Mart), and an uncensored version that was the first major-label country album ever to bear a parental advisory warning. One of the songs, "Louisiana Stripes" was written by a little-known Alabama teenager named Jeremy Cummings, who originally released the song on his 2004 debut CD Country Bullshit.
Williams recently played drums for Arson Anthem, formed with Phil Anselmo and Mike Williams of the sludge band Eyehategod.
Williams released his long awaited punk-metal album AssJack on August 4, 2009.
His next album, Rebel Within, was released in May 2010. It charted at number 20 in Billboard magazine.
Williams' former label Curb Records released Hillbilly Joker on May 17, 2011; this is his last release with the label. Williams had been involved in a long contract dispute with his Curb Records after the company refused to release his punk inspired CD This Ain't Country. Several of the songs on Hillbilly Joker had been available as bootlegs, some of them for nearly ten years.
On June 23, 2011, it was posted on III's personal Facebook that he would be releasing four new CDs on September 6, 2011. It said to expect Country, Doom-Rock, Speed Metal with Cattle Callin' on the releases. It also said that they would be released on III's own record label Hank III Records. Entitled Ghost to a Ghost/Gutter Town (a 2-disc country record with some ambient and folk influences), 3 Bar Ranch Cattle Callin' (a metal record in the newly anointed cattle core genre) and Attention Deficit Domination (a doom-rock record), these new albums were released on Williams's own record label Hank3 Records through Megaforce Records, and feature guest appearances by Tom Waits, Les Claypool (Primus), Alan King (Hellstomper), Ray Lawrence Jr., Troy Medlin (Sourvein), Dave Sherman (Earthride) and Williams' dog, Trooper.
On March 4, 2013, on Williams's web site, it was announced that he is working on two new albums. It has been confirmed that there are at least 25 new songs. On May 3, 2013, Williams released the names of two new albums: a country album Brothers of the 4Γ4 and punk album A Fiendish Threat, under the band name "3".
On July 6, 2018, Williams was featured on DevilDriver's cover of his song "Country Heroes", which appears on their album Outlaws 'til the End: Vol. 1. On May 24, 2021 he released a cover of the David Allan Coe song "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" on his YouTube channel. On July 31, 2021 Williams shut down his online store. In 2021, Williams' son, Coleman Finchum, changed his last name to Williams began recording and releasing music under the moniker "IV". He formed a band known as "IV and the Strange Band". Their debut album, Southern Circus, was released in June 2022.
On Sunday 18th September 2022, he released a number of new songs on his YouTube channel.
#5
Hank Williams III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't know what I'm gonna do or how I'm gonna be
Yea I'm puttin' it down gonna try to stand on my two feet
So this is the last time the needles going in
To try to set my soul free
I don't know what I'm gonna do but somethings gotta change
Cause all the Heroin and downers are takin' away my flame
Now I realize that old number 5 just might be me
Once your a junkie they say it'll never go away
But at least I'm gonna try
To make it through one more day
I'm just now startin' to tune into who I'm suppose to be
So I'm breakin' the chains of the needle
That's had a hold on me
I don't know what I'm gonna do
But somethings gotta change
Cause the Heroin and downers are taking away my flame
I've done had four friends die around me
And I realize that old number 5 just might be me
Yea I realize that old number 5 just might be me
In Hank Williams III's song #5, the singer expresses a sense of desperation and uncertainty as they face the daunting task of quitting an addiction to heroin. The lyrics reveal that the singer is committed to making a change, as the drugs have caused them to lose their sense of self and jeopardize their life. The repeated line "I don't know what I'm gonna do but somethings gotta change, cause the Heroin and downers are taking away my flame" highlights the sense of urgency the singer feels as they confront the reality of their situation.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the challenges they will face as they attempt to kick their habit. They reference the deaths of four friends as a reminder of the ultimate fate that could await them. However, the singer also demonstrates a newfound sense of determination, declaring "Once you're a junkie they say it'll never go away, but at least I'm gonna try to make it through one more day". The final line, "Yea I realize that old number 5 just might be me", suggests that the singer is keenly aware of their own vulnerability and mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm gonna have to give up something that means the world to me*
I have to stop using drugs even though they are very important to me.
And I don't know what I'm gonna do or how I'm gonna be
I am uncertain about how to live without drugs.
Yea I'm puttin' it down gonna try to stand on my two feet
I am quitting drugs and trying to become independent.
So this is the last time the needles going in
I am quitting drug injections for good.
To try to set my soul free
I hope to achieve freedom from addiction with this decision.
I don't know what I'm gonna do but somethings gotta change
I am aware that I need to change my ways and live drug-free.
Cause all the Heroin and downers are takin' away my flame
Drug use is diminishing my passion and causing problems in my life.
I've done had four friends die around me
I have experienced the tragic loss of four friends due to drugs.
Now I realize that old number 5 just might be me
I understand that my own life is at risk if I continue to use drugs.
Once your a junkie they say it'll never go away
People believe that addiction is a lifelong affliction.
But at least I'm gonna try
I am determined to overcome my addiction.
To make it through one more day
I am taking it one day at a time.
I'm just now startin' to tune into who I'm suppose to be
I am only beginning to understand my true identity and potential.
So I'm breakin' the chains of the needle
I am breaking free from my dependence on drug injections.
That's had a hold on me
Addiction has had a strong grip on my life.
I don't know what I'm gonna do
I am uncertain about the future without drugs.
But somethings gotta change
I acknowledge that change is necessary.
Cause the Heroin and downers are taking away my flame
Drug use is extinguishing my passion and life force.
I've done had four friends die around me
I have lost four friends due to drug use.
And I realize that old number 5 just might be me
I acknowledge that I could be the next victim of drug addiction.
Yea I realize that old number 5 just might be me
I understand the gravity of my situation and the need for change.
Writer(s): Shelton Hank Williams Iii
Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carisalivingston2920
your music has gotten me through hard times over and over. You have been my #1 favorite for years now and no matter how many times I play any of your songs, they just never get old! I fucking love you!
@Spaded4life13
Carisa Livingston u said it perfectly
@wwalker6512
I couldnt have said it better my self! We gotta stick together. I dont know who you are but I love what your saying
@shanegiggie
Amen girl, Hank 3 forever
@brokenvcr
Time flies.
@beverlyfritz680
Hank, don't ever stop, you are a great singer and musician , you can go far in this. Love your music I am country fan but you can do anything and it sounds great. you are very talented. Keep up the good music.
@tyroneginevan6742
Yep
@everettestallings3354
I grew up listening to your dad and heard your granddad love them both but I think your songs have more life experience and are rare please keep making them
@jakewilcox1185
Damn man, definatley can relate, your music is insane and I can relate on so many levels, love your talent man. I look up to you man
@garmongreg9048
Been an IV Fentenoyl and methamphetamine addict for couple years now,and Hank 3, your music speaks to me like nobody else's brother.dont ever change.u ARE A1 Outlaw country and u always keep it real.much respect and best wishes.ive had 4 friends die this year,so u can imagine how haunting and at the same time beautiful this song is yo me.i live to crank it and pick up my Yamaha and strum and sing along.im hoping ole number 5 ain't gonna be me