1) The Highwaymen was an Am… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists sharing this name;
1) The Highwaymen was an American country music supergroup, composed of four of the genre's biggest artists, known for their pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. Active between 1985 and 1995, the group recorded three major label albums as The Highwaymen: two on Columbia Records and one for Liberty Records. Their Columbia works produced three chart singles, including the number one "Highwayman" in 1985.
Between 1996 and 1999, Nelson, Kristofferson, Cash, and Jennings also provided the voice and dramatization for the Louis L'Amour Collection, a four-CD box set of seven Louis L'Amour stories published by the HighBridge Company, although the four were not credited as "The Highwaymen" in this work.
Besides the four formal members of the group, only one other vocal recording artist appeared on a Highwaymen recording: Johnny Rodriguez, who provided Spanish vocal on "Deportee", a Woody Guthrie composition, from "Highwayman".
The four original members starred in a movie together: the 1986 film Stagecoach.
2) The Highwaymen were a collegiate folk group from the 1960s who had a significant impact on the folk scene of that time and remain famous for the song "Michael" and "Cotton Fields." Formed in 1958 while the band members were at college, the group broke up in 1964 after releasing eight albums and ten singles. They reunited in 1987, minus Chan Daniels (who died in 1975), for a concert for their 25th college reunion. Between then and 2009, the band has performed ten to twelve concerts a year. Today, two of the original five members (Steve Butts and Steve Trott) are still alive, with Dave Fisher dying on May 7, 2010, Gil Robbins (father of actor Tim Robbins) dying on April 5, 2011, and Bob Burnett dying on December 8, 2011.
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
The Highwaymen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It's been the same way for years
We need a change
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
"Son, you finally got it made"
But I don't think Hank done it this way, no
I don't think Hank done it this way
Okay!
Ten years on the road, makin' one-night stands
Speedin' my young life away
Tell me one more time, just so's I'll understand
Are your sure Hank done it this way?
Did ol' Hank really do it this way?
Lord, I've seen the world, with a five-piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs, and one of his now and then
But I don't think Hank done 'em this way, no
I don't think Hank done 'em this way
Take it home
The Highwaymen's song Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way questions the state of country music, which has become repetitive and superficial over time. The song starts by stating that the old tune of fiddle and guitar has been the same for years and asks where do we go from here. The use of rhinestone suits and shiny cars further emphasizes the superficiality of the genre. The singer and many others around him believe that by coming to Nashville, they have made it just like old Hank Williams did. However, the singer expresses doubts that Hank had actually done it this way.
The song goes on to detail the singer's experiences on the road and the various bands he has been a part of. He questions whether Hank had really done it the same way, indicating that perhaps the current state of country music has lost its essence and originality. The song ends with the singer expressing his opinion that the way Hank made music was different from what is currently being produced. This song can be seen as a commentary on the evolution of country music and the loss of its authenticity and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
We're bored of hearing the same traditional country music over and over again.
Where do we take it from here?
What's the next step for country music?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
Country music stars are all about show and flashy material possessions.
It's been the same way for years
We need a change
Country music needs to evolve and change to stay relevant.
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
"Son, you finally got it made"
People told me that I made it big by coming to Nashville.
Old Hank made it here, and we're all sure that you will
Hank Williams Sr. made it big in Nashville and people are confident that I will do the same.
But I don't think Hank done it this way, no
I don't think Hank done it this way
I don't think Hank Williams Sr. did things the same way country music is done today.
Ten years on the road, makin' one-night stands
Speedin' my young life away
I've spent a decade on tour, playing one-night shows and losing time from my youth.
Tell me one more time, just so's I'll understand
Are your sure Hank done it this way?
Did ol' Hank really do it this way?
Can you confirm that Hank Williams Sr. really did things the way people think he did?
Lord, I've seen the world, with a five-piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs, and one of his now and then
I've traveled around the world with my band, but feel like I'm living in Hank's shadow and playing his songs more than my own.
But I don't think Hank done 'em this way, no
I don't think Hank done 'em this way
Hank Williams Sr. wouldn't have played my songs the way I play them now.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Waylon Jennings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrejkuzmanoski2825
Lord, it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It's been the same way for years
We need a change
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
Son, you finally got it made
Old Hank made it here and we're all sure that you will
But I don't think Hank done it this way
No, I don't think Hank done it this way
Ten years on the road, makin' one night stands
Speedin' my young life away
Tell me one more time just so's I'll understand
Are your sure Hank done it this way?
Did old Hank really do it this way?
Lord, I've seen the world, with a five piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs and one of his now and then
But I don't think Hank done 'em this way
I don't think Hank done it this way
Take it home
@babyblue1194
When Johnny Cash is looking at you, and smiling in great admiration you know you are a legend. Such respect from all four to each other.
Best concert ever!!!!!
@terencegreen4020
Waylon and Johnny are my two favorite country artist of all time. These Legends and their legacy will live on forever!
@monteg3056
Yep got to throw hank Jr in that mix though
@mt.rushmore7916
That is very touching, indeed.
@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102
The way Johnny Cash and then Kris Kristofferson looked at him before he started picking was awesome, Waylon was like 'check this shit out".....
@audreydaleski1067
Johnny and kris
@edicamon8486
It raises the spirit to see the smile of Waylon and Johnny. RIP
@timrisner3408
TIMRISNER JEFFREY
@matthewford5946
That was bad as$ awesome.
@computerman9971
ikr