Williams began his career following in his famed father's footsteps, covering his father's songs and imitating his father's style. Williams' first television appearance was in a 1964 episode of ABC's The Jimmy Dean Show, in which at age fourteen he sang several songs associated with his father. Later that year, he was a guest star on Shindig!.
Williams' style evolved slowly as he struggled to find his own voice and place within country music. This was interrupted by a near-fatal fall off the side of Ajax Peak in Montana on August 8, 1975. After an extended recovery, he challenged the country music establishment with a blend of country, rock, and blues. As a multi-instrumentalist, Williams' repertoire of skills includes guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, steel guitar, banjo, dobro, piano, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica, fiddle, and drums.
From 1989 through October 2011, his song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight", refashioned as "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night", had been used to open broadcasts of Monday Night Football until it was pulled after Williams made controversial comments comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler. The song returned to open the show in 2017.
On August 12, 2020, Williams was selected to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Williams' early career was guided, some say outright dominated, by his mother Audrey Williams, who many claim was the driving force that led his father to musical superstardom during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Audrey, in many ways, wished for young Hank to be nothing more than a "Hank Williams, Sr. impersonator", sometimes going as far as to have clothes designed for him that were identical to his father's stage clothes and vocal stylings very similar to those of his father.
Although Williams' recordings earned him numerous country hits throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, he became disillusioned with his role as a 'Hank Williams clone' and severed ties with his mother in order to pursue his own musical direction and tastes. After recording the soundtrack to Your Cheatin' Heart, a biography of his father, Williams, Jr. hit the charts with one of his own compositions, "Standing in the Shadows". The song signalled a move to rock and roll and other influences as he stepped from the shadow of his father.
Also during this time, Williams had his first two No. 1 songs: "All For the Love of Sunshine" (1970, featured on the soundtrack to Kelly's Heroes) and "Eleven Roses" (1972).
By the mid-1970s, Williams had finally found the musical direction that would, eventually, make him a superstar. Williams' unique blend of traditional country with southern rock and blues earned him a devoted following, although some mainstream country radio stations wouldn't touch his new songs in this blatantly untraditional sound.
While recording a series of hit songs, Williams began abusing drugs, including alcohol and eventually tried to commit suicide in 1974. Moving to Alabama, Williams began playing music with Southern rock musicians Toy Caldwell, Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels, and others.
His last major success was "There's a Tear in My Beer", a duet with his father created using electronic dubbing techniques. The song itself was written by his father, presumably, sometime between 1950 and 1953 and was recorded with Hank Williams playing just his guitar. The music video for the song combined existing television footage of Hank Williams performing and the dubbing techniques transferred the image of Hank Jr. onto the screen, so it appeared as if he were actually playing with his father. The video was an overwhelming success, both critically and commercially. It was named Video Of The Year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country music. Hank Williams, Jr. would go on to win a Grammy award in 1990 for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.
Despite his slumping album sales, Hank Williams Jr. continued to be a popular concert draw during the early 1990s and continued to record, with several of his recordings during this time still managing to achieve gold status, selling 500,000 copies.
He is probably best known today as the performer of the theme song for Monday Night Football, based on "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight". The opening theme became a classic, as much a part of the show as the football itself. In 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, Williams' opening themes for Monday Night Football would earn him four Emmy awards.
Williams opened for Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, on ABC and was in the stands as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
On April 10, 2006, CMT honored Williams with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, presenting it to him at the 2006 CMT Music Awards.
On November 11, 2008, Williams was honored as a BMI Icon at the 56th annual BMI Country Awards. The artists and songwriters named BMI Icons have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers".
In 2011, Williams was named one of "Seven Living Legends" of his native Shreveport, Louisiana, by Danny Fox (1954–2014) of KWKH radio. Others named were Bob Griffin of KSLA and KTBS-TV and James Burton. Two others cited, Claude King and Frank Page, both died in 2013.
In 2015, Hank Williams Jr. was Inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.
Early in the Morning and Late at Night
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's got magic in her finger tips
She's hot to handle if you know what I mean
She's a long legged loving machine
Early in the morning and late at night
She's got a way of walking that'll do you in
So if you get to thinking, brother think again
No harm in looking if you understand
She's a one man woman, I'm a one woman man
There's no doubt about it when she holds me tight
Early in the morning and late at night
Early in the morning we rock
Late in the evening we roll
We're in it right from the start
Hearts, bodies and soul
She's cooking up a mess of moves
She keeps alot of love spread on the menu
She's got a man with a big appetite
Early in the morning and late at night
Early in the morning we rock
Late in the evening we roll
We're in it right from the start
Hearts, bodies and souls
Yes sir, she's cooking up a mess of moves
She keeps alot of love on her menu
She's got a man with a big appetite
Early in the morning and late at night
She's hot to handle if you know what I mean
She's a long legged loving machine
She's in to pleasin', she knows what I like
I like it early in the morning and late at night
The lyrics of Hank Williams Jr.'s song "Early in the Morning and Late at Night" describe a woman with irresistible charms who is able to satisfy his every desire. She is described as having "sexy eyes and crazy lips" that exude an air of magic, and "magic in her finger tips." The woman is "hot to handle," meaning that she is highly attractive and sexually alluring. Hank Williams Jr. describes her as a "long-legged loving machine" who has a way of walking that will "do you in."
Despite her beauty, the woman is portrayed as being loyal and devoted to her man. Williams assures his listeners that "she's a one man woman," and he himself is a "one woman man." The couple seems to have a strong physical connection, as the lyrics suggest that they are constantly engaging in sexual activities, "early in the morning and late at night." The term "rock and roll" is used to describe their lovemaking, which suggests a wild and energetic experience.
Overall, the lyrics to "Early in the Morning and Late at Night" celebrate the pleasure and satisfaction that can be found in a loving relationship. The song portrays a man who is fully satisfied with the woman who is by his side and who has an unquenchable sexual appetite that is perfectly matched by her partner's. The lyrics reflect a joyful and sensual celebration of love and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got sexy eyes and crazy lips, she's got magic in her finger tips!
She is attractive and captivating, with a touch that feels magical.
She's hot to handle if you know what I mean. She's a long legged loving machine!
She is sexually desirable and skilled, with a tall, lean figure.
She's in to pleasin'. She knows what I like.
She enjoys satisfying me sexually and understands my preferences.
Early in the morning and late at night.
At any time of day, she is available for sexual pleasure.
She's got a way of walking that'll do you in, so if you get to thinking, better think again.
Her seductive gait can be overwhelming, so be careful not to fall too hard for her.
No harm in looking if you understand. She's a one man woman. I'm a one woman man.
It's okay to admire her beauty from afar, but she is faithful to me and I am committed to her.
There's no doubt about it when she holds me tight, Early in the morning and late at night.
When we are intimate, there is no question that our relationship is strong and passionate, regardless of the time of day.
Early in the morning we rock, late in the evening we roll. We're in it right from the start, hearts, bodies and soul.
We have a deep and intense physical and emotional connection, and it is present all day long.
She's cooking up a mess of moves, she keeps a lot of love spread on the menu.
She has many sexual techniques and is always adding to her repertoire of affectionate gestures.
She's got a man with a big appetite, Early in the morning and late at night.
She satisfies my sexual cravings throughout the day and night.
Yes sir! She's cooking up a mess of moves she keeps a lot of love on her menu. She's got a man with a big appetite, Early in the morning and late at night.
Reiterating her sexual skill and my insatiable desire for her.
I like it early in the morning and late at night.
Personally, I enjoy sex with her at any time and am always eager for more.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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