Hank Williams
Arguably the greatest Country Singer/Songwriter ever
Sometime pick out a few current male country singer/songwriters and listen to a few songs.
Now go listen to Hank Williams. You will find that Hank is the template for modern country music.
By 1948 at the age of 25 he was a superstar,
Four years later he died in the back seat of his car, driven by a teenager.
He wrote scores of catchy songs, with frequently clever and vivid, but down to earth lyrics. When singing he conveys the emotion of the song without sounding corny.
I believe Hank is among the greatest songwriters, regardless of genre. Up there with Dylan, Berlin, McCartney, et al.
This is an excerpt from a TV program in 1952. Hank sings three songs, then it gets a bit hokey.
Featured Songs:
- Hey Good Lookin
- Cold Cold Heart
- I Can’t Help it if I am Still in Love with You
The lyrics to “Cold Cold Heart” are really good.
- “I tried so hard, my dear
- To show that you're my every dream
- Yet you're afraid each thing I do
- Is just some evil scheme
- A memory from your lonesome past
- Keeps us so far apart
- Why can't I free your doubtful mind
- And melt your cold, cold heart?”
…
- “And so my heart is paying now
- For things I didn't do
- In anger, unkind words are said
- That make the teardrops start”
…
- “But now I know your heart is shackled
- To a memory
- The more I learn to care for you
- The more we drift apart”
…
Some more songs:
A really sad song, and Hank sings it like he feels it.
“(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle”
From Rolling Stone magazine:
Listen to the way Williams stretches out “lo-o-onesome” in this 1951 single — like the titular whistle losing steam in the distance. The sound is so stark, so unsettling, that it’s easy to feel exactly what Williams was getting at in the performance: simple heartbreak. Which is why in an essay for Rolling Stone‘s 100 Greatest Artists, Beck wrote, “Hank Williams songs like ‘Lonesome Whistle’ and ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’ are wonderful to sing because there is no bullshit in them.”
Hank ends up in the dog house literally.