Covering Hank Williams: 5 Exceptional Examples, pt. II
The popularity of Country music has exploded exponentially over the last decade, making it one of the fastest growing genres in the industry. Whereas Country stars like Shania Twain and Taylor Swift once cultivated crossovers into Pop, now Pop stars are crossing over into Country. Recent examples include Beyoncé and Post Malone. Indeed, Country music can no longer be easily defined. But whatever it is, Hank Williams helped start it.
Born in 1923, Hank Williams was a songwriting savant. He revolutionized the vocation by making real music for real people. He wrote about life and expressed it in extremely relatable terms. It is a formula that no one has quite been able to replicate in the 72 years since his death. “There was just something about the simplicity of the music and the way he’s saying it,” notes Country star Josh Turner.
Williams passed away at the age of 29 from heart failure, instigated by years of self-abuse. However, even before his 1953 death, fellow artists were performing and recording his tunes. There are over a half century of Hank Williams covers. Here are five (more) exceptional examples.
“Long Gone Lonesome Blues” – Marty Robbins
This 1950 tune was Hank’s second to top the charts, but the first from his quill. After failing to duplicate his initial success of 1949’s “Lovesick Blues”, Williams decided to go back to the creative well. The latter tune incorporates similar themes and rhythms as its predecessor while also featuring Hank’s iconic high falsetto yodels. The mimicry paid off. Called “a work of effortless mastery” by music writer Natalie Weiner, the song stayed at #1 for five weeks. In 1956, an upstart singer named Marty Robbins recorded “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” for his debut album, Rock’n Roll’n Robbins. Although the release failed to chart, Marty continued to perform the song live throughout his career.
“Why Don’t You Love Me” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
This Williams classic conveys the woes of a lovesick lad, utterly bewildered by the fairer sex. The tune was recorded in January 1950 and released in May of that year. It became Hank’s third #1 hit on the Country Singles charts and second consecutive. More than three decades later, the legendary Los Angelas musician Bob Forrest introduced Williams’ music to some friends of his. Those friends had a burgeoning band on the L.A. music scene. They called themselves the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1984, the band recorded their debut album with EMI America Records. All the songs on the album consist of original material, except for their cover of “Why Don’t You Love Me.” Naturally, the Chili Peppers bring their signature funk laden sound to wonderfully create an entirely new number.
“Cold, Cold Heart” – Aretha Franklin
It was no secret that Williams and his wife Audrey had a turbulent relationship. However, it seems like the worse Hank’s personal life got, the better his songs got. In November of 1950, Williams returned home after yet another frigid encounter with his better half. He remarked to the children’s babysitter that his wife had a “cold, cold heart.” An hour later, Hank had penned another American classic. This number has been covered by everyone from Jerry Lee Lewis to Jerry Springer. Blues singer Dinah Washington had a hit with it in 1951. But like so many covers, Aretha Franklin’s interpretation takes the cake. Franklin recorded “Cold, Cold Heart” in 1964 as a tribute to Dinah Washington who had died two months earlier.
“Hey, Good Lookin’” – Buckwheat Zydeco ft. Dwight Yoakam
One day in 1951, Hank decided he wanted to do a favor for a friend, fellow singer Little Jimmy Dickens. “You need a hit”, Williams told his talented pal. Fifteen minutes later, Hank finished “Hey, Good Lookin’.” He gave the song to Dickens, telling him, “Now you record this, and it’ll make you a hit.” The song was exactly that, topping the country charts later that year. Unfortunately for Little Jimmy, Hank got into a studio before he could, and it was his version that became an American staple. “Hey, Good Lookin’” has been covered extensively, but with his 1990 recording, Louisiana musician Buckwheat Zydeco injects his uncanny Creole flair. Buckwheat performs the song with superstar Dwight Yoakam, making for an incredibly distinctive and pleasing rendition.
“Lonesome Whistle” – Beck
Louisiana legend Jimmie Davis was only a generation older than Williams, but Hank was a great admirer of his. Davis, who served as a twice-time Governor of Louisianna, had a string of hits in the 1930s and 40s. By the 1950s, politics was his chief concern. But when he and Williams got together in early 1951, the two composed “Lonesome Whistle”, reportedly during a fishing trip. It was about a half century later when the multi-genre singer/songwriter Beck began to frequently incorporate the song into his live sets. Somehow, he fluently conveys the tune’s beautiful lament. Asked to explain his attraction for Williams, Beck states simply, “His music spoke to me.”
