Top Ten Songs by Hank Williams, Sr

The Best Songwriter Besides Bob Dylan! (And Maybe Woody Guthrie, and Tom Waits… And…)

Hank Williams is not a secret. Most people know who he is. They might even know a song or two. The problem is that most of his most famous songs are nowhere near the best he wrote, and beyond that, you have to know the saga and essence of Hank to really appreciate his songs. I heard a radio show once, a sports show albeit, and they were talking about Hank. One of them couldn’t understand why he was so highly regarded: “I’m in love, I’m in love with a beautiful gal, that’s what’s the matter with me.” 

What’s so profound and great about that? It just isn’t that good. Well, it’s the ironic simplicity of it, and then it’s what he says from there, and how he sings it. Much of it is his voice, the loneliness and complete isolation he feels, the idea that you are alone in this world, and that all will come to a bad end. Anyway, some of his songs are well known, but the fact that he wrote them isn’t. Others just aren’t widely known. Blah, blah, blah… these are his best!

10. Lovesick blues – This is the one with the beautiful gal, and that’s what’s the matter with him! One of his famous, classic songs; it needs little explanation, I think. Just about every artist has done a version.

9. I won’t be home no more – Hank is being defiant. This is like the sequel to “Lovesick blues,” the last straw, when he can’t take the beautiful gal anymore. A very triumphant song.

8. Howlin’ at the moon – One of his more playful songs, very lyrical and poetic, ironic, wild, silly, and in the end even sweet and romantic!

7. Settin’ the woods on fire – See above, #8, in a different sort of puppy love kind of way.

6. My bucket’s got a hole in it – Whose doesn’t?

5. Dear John – “Dear John, I sent my saddle home.” Why? You find out! I’m not going to just tell you. It’s #5 on the list, so the reason has to be good, right?