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 Curb’s 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 4×4 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.
Runnin
Hank Williams III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little bit crazy
Got half drunk on the day they made me
I don't know why, I guess it's in my genes
Well, I'm a runnin' and gunnin'
A little bit shady
Got half-stoned on the day they made me
(You better)
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'm dangerous and mean
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'll drop you to your knees
Well, I'm a runnin' and gunnin'
A little bit shady
Got tattooed on the day they made me
I don't know why, I guess I'm dangerous and mean
Well, I've got my 4-speed, 2-door Chevy
Driving outta hell
Like Satan's gonna catch me
I don't know why, I guess it's in my genes
(You better)
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'm dangerous and mean
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'll drop you to your knees
Well, I'm a runnin' and gunnin'
A little bit crazy
Got half-drunk on the day they made me
I don't know why, I guess it's in my genes
Well, I've got my 4-speed, 2-door Chevy
Driving outta hell
Like Satan's gonna catch me
I don't know why, I guess I'm dangerous and mean
(You better)
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'm dangerous and mean
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
Look out, baby, I'll drop you to your knees
The lyrics to Hank Williams III's song "Runnin' Gunnin'" describe a person who is wild and unpredictable, with a dangerous streak that is seemingly ingrained in their DNA. The singer of the song is someone who likes to drink and use drugs, and they drive a fast car that they liken to a devilish machine that is taking them straight to hell. The repeated refrain, "look out, baby, I'm dangerous and mean," serves as a warning to anyone who would try to cross this individual or get too close.
The lyrics are fairly straightforward in their portrayal of this rough-and-tumble character, and there is a clear sense of danger and recklessness throughout the song. There is a hint of introspection when the singer mentions that they don't know why they are the way they are, but this is quickly brushed aside as they continue to revel in their wild behavior.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the song is the way that it seems to channel the rebellious spirit of rock and roll into a country context. With its driving rhythm and stripped-down instrumentation, "Runnin' Gunnin'" feels like a nod to classic rock and roll, but the lyrics and vocal delivery are distinctly country. This juxtaposition makes for an interesting sonic experience that captures the raw energy of both genres.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm a runnin' and gunnin'
I am always on the go, constantly moving and living life at a fast pace.
A little bit shady
I have a somewhat questionable character or reputation.
Got half-stoned on the day they made me
I became partially high on the day I was born or created, symbolizing that reckless behavior is in my nature.
I don't know why, I guess I'm dangerous and mean
I can't explain why I have these qualities, but I inherently possess the potential to cause harm and aggression towards others.
(You better) Look out, baby, oh, you better watch out
I am a threat to those around me and they should be cautious in their interactions with me.
Look out, baby, I'll drop you to your knees
My violent and forceful nature could easily overpower someone, causing them to fall to their knees in submission or defeat.
Got tattooed on the day they made me
My rebellious and non-conformist tendencies were present from the moment of my birth or creation, hence the permanent tattoo symbolizing my defiance.
Well, I've got my 4-speed, 2-door Chevy
I have a fast and powerful car, representing my desire for speed and adrenaline.
Driving outta hell
I am intentionally driving recklessly, pushing the limits and living on the edge.
Like Satan's gonna catch me
I am fearless and unafraid of any consequences, as if even the devil himself couldn't stop me.
I don't know why, I guess it's in my genes
My reckless behavior and violent tendencies are a part of who I am at a genetic level, something that I cannot change or control.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHELTON HANK III WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cintspaceprint11cintrebel32
Love it! Greetings out of the Netherlands ❤️
@DANTHETUBEMAN
this is a live crowd vib song,, he an get em goin with this one
@otteronbass
Hells Yes!
@bethesdagamesareoverratedg3659
This would go great with RAGE 2 vehicle combat