Songs About Hank Not Sung By Guys Named Hank

I’ve always been a bit skeptical about the amount of praise heaped upon Hank Williams. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy his music immensely and carry Hank Williams Gold wherever my truck blindly leads me. I just figured people paid him lip service because of his position in history. That’s why I was surprised when a few readers actually chose Hank to take to their secluded island. So for this month’s playlist, the theme is “Songs About Hank Not Sung By Guys Named Hank,” which pretty much just excludes Hank, Hank Jr., and Hank III, even though none of their given names are really Hank. It was a tough list to come up with, considering the sheer number of songs that mention him, but I tried to keep it to the songs where Hank is the central theme. It also turned out to be a laundry list of big names with only one contemporary artist and a couple of Texas artists, which is a pretty gloomy prospect for traditional fans. I probably committed an egregious sin by leaving off some other big names, but I found most songs to be wanting for one reason or another. On to the list!

Songs About Hank Not Sung By Guys Named Hank

• 13. “If Ole Hank Could Only See Us Now” - Waylon Jennings
  The second Jennings song to make the list ponders what Hank would think about the changes that occurred in the 30 years following his death. There’s not much to it, but it’s enjoyable and has an amusing ending that’s perfect for ending the list.
• 12. “If You Don’t Like Hank Williams” - Kris Kristofferson
  “If you dont like Hank Williams, honey, you can kiss my ass.” And that’s all I got to say about that.
• 11. “Thank You Miss Audrey” - The Geezinslaws
  The Geezinslaws have built their band around off-kilter ditties, but what’s a list about Hank without mentioning his inspiration for the songs he wrote.

• 10. “Rollin’ and Ramblin’ (Death of Hank Williams)” - Emmylou Harris
  Emmylou Harris’ narrative on the life and death of Hank Williams is a worthy tribute that doesn’t embellish the legend without covering his faults as well.
• 9. “Long White Cadillac” - Dwight Yoakam
  Dwight Yoakam is one of the only artists who is able to come close to delivering a vocal performance that injects that same loneliness and sorrow felt in a Hank song. This song is unique in that Yoakam sings from the perspective of Hank in the back of that Cadillac the night he died.
• 8. “Hank Williams Wouldn’t Make It Now In Nashville Tennessee” - Eleven Hundred Springs
  A lot of songs by unknown artists that follow the same reasoning as this one seem to drag Hank Williams down in order to prop themselves up, but Eleven Hundred Springs covers the subject without dragging anyone down or making excuses for their obscurity. This is one band that doesn’t deserve the obscurity and should be representing country music instead of the pop bands of today. Jason Boland has a good rendition floating around as well.
• 7. “Hank Williams Said It Best” - Guy Clark
  Another song by Guy Clark describes himself perfectly: “Ain’t no money in poetry / That’s what sets the poet free / I’ve had all the freedom I can stand.” This song is pure poetry and despite only quoting Hank Williams from his rendition as Luke the Drifter of “Be Careful Of The Stones That You Throw,” it’s a subtle comparison to Jesus who said “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.” Porter Wagoner had a good cover of the Hank Williams’ tune as well, if you’re interested.
• 6. “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” - Waylon Jennings
  Jennings’ commentary on the state of Nashville. It seems even more apt today when everything sounds the same and they don’t know how to market you if you sound different. Is that the way Hank done it? And where are did country music’s roots go? How many artists or songs of today pay respect to the greats without just shamelessly name checking them?
• 5. “Hank’s Cadillac” - Ashley Monroe
  I don’t know what to say about this song that Matt hasn’t already said. The traditional arrangement and Monroe’s delivery are killer. You have to wonder, though, would Hank be as legendary today if he didn’t die when he did?
• 4. “The Ride” - David Allan Coe
  “Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings? He says boy, can you make folks feel what you feel inside?” It’s a pretty fitting description of Hank’s music, and I suppose it should be since it came from the ghost of Hank Williams himself. I miss good story songs like this classic from David Allan Coe.
• 3. “Just Like Hank” - Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros
  Hank Williams lived the music he sang. He may have fooled around with his life, but he didn’t fool around with his music. The studio was his sanctuary. Wilkins put this one out this year and it’s a showcase for his awesome vocal performance.
• 2. “Tramp On Your Street” - George Jones
  George Jones singing a Billy Joe Shaver penned tune about Hank Williams. Need I say more? Seriously, does it get more country than this?
• 1. “Midnight In Montgomery” - Alan Jackson
  This is what happens when everything comes together. The perfect production, vocal, song, and arrangement to create a haunting tribute that pulls you in and sends chills down your spine. There are stories of Jackson dropping by Hank’s grave to pay his respects after a show in Montgomery and giving an acoustic performance of Hank covers to a handful of people that happened to be there. The man knows and respects his roots.

Listen: Songs About Hank Not Sung By Guys Named Hank