Authenticity and sincerity have been the cornerstones of Hancock's writing and music since the start of his career. His refusal to compromise his vision and sell
out his music has earned him a fiercely loyal underground following.
Hancock's vision, as he puts it, is "to bring people together and make them feel good about music. It's a spiritual thing and without spirituality, you've got nothin'. There ain't much on the radio that strikes me as being original or from the heart, most of it's from the pocketbook and it shows."
Wayne is proud of his rural roots and culture and has thoroughly absorbed the spirit of country music's forefathers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Never a mere imitator, the cutting-edge style that emerges is every bit his own. He breathes youth and driving energy into traditional country forms and adds a dash of big band horns, boogie woogie piano, scorching rockabilly beats, heavenly Hawaiian steel licks and some wigged-out hillbilly jazz guitar.
Hancock figures he started writing songs around the age of twelve, and he did a lot of traveling around Texas, playing juke joints and belting out his originals for anyone who'd listen. At 18, he won the "Wrangler Country Showdown" but couldn't claim the prize because he'd already enrolled in the Marines. After a six-year hitch with Uncle Sam, he moved to Austin, where he reacquainted himself with music and won a role in the 1994 theatrical production of Chippy. He performed alongside Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "The nasal honky-tonk of newcomer Wayne Hancock practically steals the show."
In 1995 Wayne debuted with "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a remarkable CD produced by steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco and Richard Buckner). The release was met with critical acclaim. Newsweek called it "the most promising debut of the season." Two-hundred-fifty dates throughout the country, including brilliant performances on Austin City Limits and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, led to well over 22,000 copies sold of his debut release on a tiny independent Texas label. In 1997, Wayne signed with ARK 21, an eclectic and well-anchored label owned by former Police manager Miles Copeland. Miles and his staff were impressed with Wayne's genuine ability for writing and performing and have dubbed him "arguably the hardest-working man in show business" for his willingness to tour solidly and his insistence on efficiency and
untainted live energy in the studio. "That's What Daddy Wants", Hancock's sophomore release, was recorded in a startling three days. A brilliant example of his Texas swing and juke joint rockabilly, the album was even a staple on the space shuttle Columbia, the bugle call of its title track used to wake the astronauts. After "That's What Daddy Wants" generated even more critical success than the first release, ARK 21 decided to reissue "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" on their label.
The past several years have been a time of personal evolution and growth in Wayne's life. He was self-managed since the beginning of 1998 and later that year he lost his father to cancer. He has still been gigging solidly throughout the country and has been doing his own driving, tour managing and taking care of business in exactly his own way.
While various musicians drop in on Wayne's shows from time to time, his core band for touring is comprised of the phenomenal Eddie Biebel on lead guitar and the rhythm slappin' Jake Erwin on Standup Bass. Do yourself a favor - whenever this great trio is in or near your town, go to the show!
Poor Boy Blues
Wayne Hancock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got no money to pay my dues
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
There's soda pop over that hill
But I got no car or a dollar bill
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
Well I got no money and I got no home
Just my draft pick shoes and the world to roam
A ridin' the rails and seein' the sites
Sleepin' all day and stayin' up nights
Well I got no ride, but that's alright
I'll jump a freight train later on tonight
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
[Interlude]
(repeat refrain)
Well I got no money to pay my rent
Just a pocket full of change worth fifteen cents
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
In Wayne Hancock's song Poor Boy Blues, the lyrics seem to describe the life of a wanderer who has no money and no home. The character in the song is wearing a worn-out suit and shoes, and has no money to pay his dues. He sings about his woes and repeats the phrase "Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues." This phrase appears to echo the traditional work songs and chants of people who had to labor hard in the fields or on the railroads.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the poverty of the character even more. He sees soda pop over the hill, but he cannot buy it because he has neither a car nor a dollar bill. He keeps singing about his misfortunes in a sorrowful tone. But at the same time, he also expresses a sense of freedom and adventure that comes with vagrancy. He has no possessions except his shoes, and he seems to be "riding the rails" and "seeing the sights." He sleeps all day and stays up all night, without any responsibilities or commitments.
The song epitomizes the genre of country blues, which was popularized in the early 20th century by African American musicians such as Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly. Country blues often featured melancholic themes of hardship, poverty, and the struggle for survival, as well as elements of improvisation and individual expression. The song Poor Boy Blues reflects these traditions, and showcases Wayne Hancock's own interpretation of the style. The song has gained popularity among fans of Americana and alternative country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Worn out suit, worn shoes
My clothes are old and no longer fashionable, especially my shoes.
I got no money to pay my dues
I cannot afford to pay the fees or bills due to lack of money.
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
I am in a state of poverty and feeling sad about it.
There's soda pop over that hill
There's an opportunity for refreshment or a good time in the distance.
But I got no car or a dollar bill
I have neither the transportation nor the currency to access said opportunity.
Well I got no money and I got no home
Not only do I lack finances, but I also do not have a place to live.
Just my draft pick shoes and the world to roam
All I have are the shoes on my feet and the freedom to wander the world.
A ridin' the rails and seein' the sites
I travel by train and experience the sights and sounds of different places.
Sleepin' all day and stayin' up nights
My lifestyle enables me to sleep during the day and stay awake at night.
Well I got no ride, but that's alright
I don't have transportation, but I accept and embrace my current situation.
I'll jump a freight train later on tonight
I plan to hop onto a cargo train later today for transportation.
Well I got no money to pay my rent
I don't have enough money to pay for my housing.
Just a pocket full of change worth fifteen cents
I only have a small amount of coins worth a total of fifteen cents.
Yodal-lay-ee oh lord I got the poor boy blues
I am still feeling sad about my state of poverty.
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.