I had recently purchased a Hank Williams CD that had 20 of his best songs on it. However, it didn’t have one that I was really wanting in my music collection. I’ve been looking around for a CD that had the song I Saw the Light. When I found it on 20th Century Masters The Best of Hank Williams CD at just under $9 I bought it for my collection. Many of the songs that are on here are included on the CD I already had, but I really wanted the song I mentioned so I didn’t mind spending the money on it. Plus there were a few others that weren't on my other CD.

Short Biography of Hank Williams:

Hank Williams was born into poverty on September 17, 1923. He made friends with a black street singer named “Tee-Tot”. Tee-Tot was a big influence on Hank’s singing and even gave him the blues sound he sometimes had. In 1943 he met Audrey Mae Sheppard and married her in December 1944. She was the influence of many of the songs that Hank wrote.

In March 1947 Hank signed a record deal with MGM. In June 1949 he had his first number one record and made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. He had been born with spina bifida and was in constant pain. He grew to depend on alcohol and various drugs. In 1952 Audrey divorced Hank for the second and last time. Six years after Hank signed his record deal he was found dead in the back of his Cadillac. He was on his way to a show on January 1, 1953, but would never sing again. It was sad for the world to lose such a powerful singer at the young age of twenty-nine.

I thought it was important to include a little about Hank’s life because his life had so much effect on his music. He wrote and sang straight from the heart.

The Songs:

Hey, Good Lookin’ is a fast paced, fun song. If you’ve ever heard any of Hank Williams you’ve most likely heard this song. This song is about having fun, dancing and a brand new relationship. Jambalaya (On the Bayou) is another faster song. It has an awesome fiddle instrumental in the middle of the song. Move it On Over was Hank’s first MGM release and also his first song on the Billboard’s chart. It’s a funny song about a guy who stayed out too late. His woman had the locks changed and so he is now out sleeping with the dogs. The background vocals are great on this one.

Long Gone Lonesome Blues is a song about a man that has a cheating woman. His woman left him and now he is heartsick over her. He adds a yodeling sound to his voice to bring out the sound of pain more. ”I had me a woman who couldn't be true. She made me for my money and she made me blue.” Settin’ the Woods on Fire was a song that I hadn’t ever heard before. This is a fun song about a couple getting fixed up to go out and having a great time out on the town. It has a lot of fiddle in it, which makes it especially appealing to me.

Honky Tonk Blues is another toe-tapping song. Hank adds that yodel sound again. This song is about him trying to get over his blues. He goes out dancing, but when he comes in the next morning he finds he still has the same blues. Why Don’t You Love Me is another one of his sad songs that he wrote while thinking of Audrey. ”Ain't had no lovin' like a huggin' and a kissin' in a long, long while - We don't get nearer or further or closer than a country mile”. Honky Tonkin’ is about a guy telling a girl that when her new love falls apart she can come back to him. They they can go out honky tonkin’. The instrumental solos in this song are awesome.

Lost Highway is another song that Hank sings with pain in his voice. It’s a song looking back on his past mistakes and advising people not to head down the path he took, which is the lost highway. (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle is another song of sadness. ” I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow - All I do is sit and cry - When the ev'nin' train goes by - I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow. I Saw the Light is probably my favorite Hank Williams song of all time. Filled with the sounds of a fiddle and Hank’s country voice this is a song of redemption. Hank wrote many religious songs and this is one of the best. ”I saw the light I saw the light - No more darkness no more night - Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight - Praise the Lord I saw the light. Lovesick Blues is a song that Hank wrote. In June 1949 Hank sang this song on the Grand Ole Opry. He was called back to the stage for six encores. This is a song of sadness, pain and heartbreak. He is sad because his baby said goodbye. ”I got a feelin' called the blu-ues, oh, Lawd Since my baby said good-bye - And I don't know what I'll do-oo-oo - All I do is sit and sigh-igh, oh, Lawd

Track Listing:

1. Hey, Good Lookin' (Hank Williams)
2. Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (Hank Williams)
3. Move It On Over (Hank Williams)
4. Long Gone Lonesome Blues (Hank Williams)
5. Settin' the Woods on Fire (Hank Williams)
6. Honky Tonk Blues (Hank Williams)
7. Why Don't You Love Me (Hank Williams)
8. Honky Tonkin' (Hank Williams)
9. Lost Highway (Leon Payne)
10. (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle (Hank Williams/Jimmie Davis)
11. I Saw the Light (Hank Williams)
12. Lovesick Blues (Irving Mills/Cliff Friend)


Final Thoughts:

Hank Williams considered himself to be a “folk” singer and many others consider him a “country legend”. I think he has one of the most country sounding voices that I have ever heard. He wrote nearly all the songs he sang. They were written directly from his life. Many of his songs spoke of loneliness, sadness and desperation. He had problems with alcoholism, drug abuse and his marriage to the love of his life, Audrey, fell apart. Hank Williams had a pretty miserable life and it came out in his music.

His voice is pure and at times he adds the sound of a yodel to it. I also love the instruments you hear in Hank’s songs especially the fiddle. One thing I noticed about Hank's songs compared to those today is his are shorter. All of the songs included on this CD are under 3 minutes each in length, while many songs today are 4-5 minutes. Hank Williams was only on this earth for 29 years, but he made a huge impact on country music.

Related Reviews:

Your Cheatin' Heart Biography

Hank Williams 20 Greatest Hits CD

Hank Williams Tribute on VHS


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House