Couple's Heartfelt reaction to Don Williams - Good Ole Boys Like Me 

He is known as the Gentle Giant.I grew up listening to Don Williams.Amazing artist.Thanks for taking me back.

This song is so deep. From the opening line it is about the contradictory and confusing messages that shaped kids, particularly in the south,at that time. Uncle Remus,a fictional former slave, and Stonewall Jackson a defender of the confederacy, both were held in high esteem. And then he gave other examples of the upbringing that made him who he was . The dilemma he faced was that there was so much that he loved about his childhood that even though he rejected parts of it, the good parts still pulled at him. But, as the Thomas Wolfe reference implies, "you can't go home again ". So where does that leave a good old boy like him?

Everytime I hear this song it takes me right back to my childhood. We didn't have the smell of jasmine coming through the window screen, it was the smell of honeysuckle, the smells of spring and summer and fall. I can still remember all the elder men and my father laughing and talking out on the sleeping porch with the fragrance of jasmine and hummingbirds flying all around. I would sit silently just so I could hear the stories and not be sent away. I can't get those memories from my head, and all of those people, father included, are gone now. I used to have a little transistor radio and I would sneak it into bed with me and I could just tune in Wolfman Jack's radio show as it crackled beneath the sheets and I would have to keep one ear alert to the sounds of my mom and dad coming to check on us girls. I would have gotten in so much trouble if they had known I was still up. I had to share a bedroom with my three sisters. I lived out in the country. And this song simply takes me back there. The wind through the oaks and woods was such an amazing sound. I can still hear it all, smell it all, and feel it all. The song makes me miss my father so much. I cry when I hear this song because it takes me back to a beautiful place and time. And it's gone but still a part of me. What do you do with good ole boys, in my case girls, like me?

Im 53 and Don Williams has been calming my soul for 50 of those years =)

Don Williams You're My Best Friend is another great song of his. His nickname given by Country fans is the 'Gentle Giant'

Don Williams I believe in you you will enjoy this one

I saw him in concert. He was nothing flashy. He came out with his guitar, sat on a stool, and sang all his songs. Calm, soothing voice. At the end of his set he said, “I thank y’all for coming.” And that was it. All his songs are calming like this.

I’ve listened to Don Williams since the early 70’s, something about his laid back regular guy style just suits me. Sad we lost him. RIP Don

Don Williams' "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" is one of my favorites, Mac Davis' "Hard to Be Humble", and Bobby Bear's " The Winner" are also great tunes.

Don Williams was loved by many in India. He would go over and perform. They loved his voice.... they loved his deep rich tranquil vocals that have an immediate calming affect. Great reaction!

This is my favorite Don Williams song.

Probably my favorite Country song ever.

This song resonates with a lot of folks that were born and raised in a rural setting, myself included, and not just those from the South.

I remember laying in the backseat of the car late one night when I was about 7, listening to the words of this song. I started listening because I liked his voice. Momma was partying a lot, and it wasn't a good time for me. She had picked me up from the babysitters, and I was miserable. Him talking about choice made a huge impact on me. I started looking at adults I wanted to follow. 40 years later, it's amazing to me how many of the phrases take me back to childhood, & things I heard Grampa say. Boys were called "Little Man", often in connection with teaching them responsibility for family. He listened to Tennessee Williams & Hank Williams Senior records. My sister loved the Wolfman Jack radio show. Every Sunday at church we sang of being washed in the blood. My life took a very different path than it could have. I'm thousands of miles away in a very different culture from where I was raised. I relate to to her comments about visiting home & seeing folks that took a hard path. Like her comments, it was never about judgement for me, but it was sad to see some brilliant and wonderful people struggle due to poor choices. I listen to this to remind me of the good that there was, and things that were so common to me then, that I haven't heard in decades. Things like "winda (window) screen"

One can get out of the situation they were in as a kid, but it will still leave it's mark in the form of both warm and painful memories.

And he allowed room for even his father to be who he was. Imperfections and all!! I LOVE Don Williams!!!!

Thoughtful discussion regarding where the Gentle Giant, Don Williams, was coming from. Thanks for sharing!

Don Williams had so many hits, great voice

This song always reminds me of when I was aboutv9 years old, living in and old house with my mom and two of my brothers. The wind at night would whistle through the big elm tree right outside my bedroom window. And when the moon was full in the winter you'd have shadows dancing across the floor. Entire house was heated with a wood stove.... truly do miss those days.

Smooth describes his voice perfectly.

Don Williams has been one of my all time favorite country singers since I was a little girl. One of the most underrated County singers of the seventies and eighties.

Didn’t even listen yet and already liked this. Love don Williams

I love that people still remember Don Williams, my mom played his songs all the time and they're on my playlists to this day, thank you for requesting it and thank you so much for you two for reacting to him.

This song never fails to bring some tears. Maybe it's so relatable, being a Southerner through and through!

So many of Don Williams' songs I have on my iPhone under a playlist for listening to when I go to bed, because they're so softly sung. You ought to listen to "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good" by him as well.

Hello from Ireland. Don came here often. one of his last concerts was here in Ireland. we loved him so much. he was loved around the world. he was big even in south Africa.

Glad that another set of good folks are enjoying Don Williams.

You like Don, you two would enjoy Keith Whitley and Vern Gosdin, too. Keith: "Don't Close Your Eyes" or the sweetly happy "Miami, My Amy"; Vern: "Chiseled In Stone"...

Don's voice is smooth as silk. "Washed in the blood" is a poignant line for this Good Friday. The day the blood of the Lamb was shed for us all.

His Love song called Amanda is a haunting ballad that Shot to number 1 and is still popular today.

I’ve never heard that song. It was wonderful. I love your after talks. So revealing showing what nice folks you are. 😄

You are such a wonderful couple. I wish only the best for your relationship and your family.

Don Williams music is so great, we grew up listening to him.

Love don Williams, great video thanks 💖😁

Pure heaven to the ears

you can spend a day reacting to him and enjoy every song he did

I used to sing this to my son the put him to sleep when he was a baby. Don has a lot of good songs.

Your interpretation of the lyrics is so spot on. That songs the story of my life and you absolutely nailed the true meaning and feelings of the lyrics.

Oh boy. Just Don Williams voice will make you emotional.

Don Williams concerts were so different. Back in the 80's he came out on stage with a bar stool and a guitar and played like you were the only 2 in the room.

Don Williams voice never changed as he got older. I highly recommend his song Infinity. It was on his next to last album & one of his best.

Everything this guy did was legendary. He went for a concert in Harare, Zimbabwe and how they adored him and knew all his songs. He was passing through a street and a blind man was singing his song....

Ahhhh Don Williams Called the gentle giant. Smooth voice.

Don was such a great story teller. Has such a great voice, still miss him a lot

To honor my father i have a "Gentle Giant" tattoo on my leg. He was a huge Don Williams fan. Nice to see you react to him.

This song was written to be so specific to the singer's formative years but it is relatable to a lot of people.

One of my all time favorite singers. He has many songs I love, but I relate to this song on a personal level that very, very few songs have reached. This song could easily have been written about my life growing up. It's deep, it's meaningful, and it's incredibly well performed by Don Williams.

A lot of folks suggestion many different Don Williams songs. He had so many hits in the 80s. This is a rabbit hole ya'll would definitely enjoy. We all would be happy to tag along!

One of my favorite songs when raising our kids in East Texas ... We had Live Oak trees all over our place & "daddy'd come in & kiss his little man. Gin (sometimes) on (my) breath (but always) a bible in my hand .... " Love y'all's reaction to this.

This song has always had meaning for me, born in Indiana but transplanted to Texas at age 6. I'm a Texan through and through. . Small town background. I've always felt he was saying that no matter how long or how far away he goes, that small town, mayberry, country tradition is who he is and it's less and less compatible with our changing world. People arent as friendly or trusting as we perceive they used to be. Its more dangerous and less accepting of people from our older generations . I feel as he does. What do you do as just a good old boy who still lives by those wholesome values while the world slowly rejects them

Ya'll are amazing, love ya'll so much and your reactions and the way you feel about the song's ...your favorite fan from South Carolina ...

So glad I had a family who instilled this type of music in me

I have always loved this song. Don Williams is always Orth a listen.

I love how he puts his two brothers names in the song Hank and Tennessee

One of the best voices ever in country music. You should really listen to his song, why me lord. I think it’s one of the best songs of his.

He was called the gentle giant. He was pure and simple.

Thank you so much. This song always reminds me of my dad. I miss him. You guys are great.

I recently discovered this song and it is absolutely wonderful...Don Williams' rendition of it is sublime. And I loved your analysis of it and of Don's voice. Thank you for this!

The very best mellow voice that I have ever heard in music… So what do you do, with good old boys like me? RIP Don!

Don Williams has a winner with "Some Broken hearts never mend" and " Love me Tonight" as well as " Say it again" and 'tulsa Time"

Went to his concert several years ago. He sat on a stool the entire show and sang. One of the best shows I've ever been to.

She has such a tender heart

MAN YOU ARE BLESSED,SHE IS RIGHT ON TARGET.GREAT SHOW.

Best voice in country or just about anything to me. Can listen to him all day. Very humble man also.

Love this song. Had his greatest hits years ago. What a voice.

I am a southern boy who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. But I have a picture of him living in a small shotgun house with trees in the yard. The windows are up and you can hear the night sounds that I seldom hear now because I live in a city. However, many of us my age know people who grew up poor. His dad drank too much but he still loved his family. Basically he still thinks a lot about his childhood and in ways would like to go back. But he got out of there for his own good but the impact of his upbringing will never leave him. I think that’s true with all of us.

Don Williams never sang a bad song. I’ve loved him since the early 70’s.

Don was a great singer. Many hits.

Don Williams is in my top 10 all time favorites. And I´m just a country boy Money have I none But I´ve got silver in the stars Gold in the mornin´ sun I grew up in a rual cotton town in Az during the 70's and 80's

Smooth beautiful voice and a deep message.

I remember listening to the country radio stations back in the day, when it was good, and I think he was also called everyone's next door neighbor.

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists

I love Don Williams' voice.

“The Gentle Giant” definitely has a calm voice. I didn’t really like Country as a kid, but always loved him. I’m about 60 miles north of Atlanta, and we still speak to everyone.

I saw Don in concert. I totally expected to sleep through it, but he was captivating. He had that "it" that drew you in.

I love this song , its one of my all time favorites !

When I'm on my two hour drive to my mom's I throw on Don George or Hank Sr. Unbelievable voices. This is truly classic country.

Ralph 6/16/23 I’m 71 years old. Totally enjoyed your content. You are both very sweet and insightful. This song came over my RU-vid quite by accident. I am born and raised in Detroit, so I’m pretty into the Motown sound, but very much enjoyed your insights and hope to catch more of them.

My favorite Don Williams song is, then it's love. It's got a swing feel and horns.

I love Tasha’s reaction. She is spot on. Nostalgia is a great word. You two are also a beautiful couple! Continued Blessings!

One of this old man's favorites. TY guys 🙏👍

Really enjoy listening to Don. Side note: Jasper County Ga has some lovely countryside with rolling hills and lots of cows…

The gentle giant. Such a smooth voice. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to see him live. One of the greatest shows I ever saw. Another great song by Don would be rake and ramble man

There is a famous quote attributed to Stonewall Jackson, “you may be whatever you resolve to be.” The song turns around that theme with the conclusion, “ I guess we’re all gonna be what we’re gonna be.”

Love Is On A Roll is another great tune from the late, great Mr. Williams.

The gentle giant. He was fantastic

For another smooth, storytelling voice, listen to Tom T. Hall sing "Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine". To hear a grandfather sing to his grandchildren, listen to him sing "I Love".

"Those Williams Boys Still Mean A Lot to Me,...Hank and Tennessee" (Hank Williams a great singer songwriter and Tennessee Williams, a great playwright!)

Being a girl growing up when this song first came out. In 1980 i was 18, and hearing this song and being a country girl at heart, even being raised in SoCal, I got so much from this song back then, and still do every time i hear it still. Like you Tasha. My roots come from the deep south. My dads family comes from Speedwell Tenn. I can remember clearly the trips we took to grandma and grandpa's home, and seeing people like you recall, sitting on their porches with water, tea or lemonaid and their radios playing while they relaxed after working all day, and how they would wave and say hello when you passed...life was so simple then, and most everyone was just so laid back....Its so sad that most kids today, dont get to experience this like we did....And T. you are so right, his voice is so soothing and relaxing to hear, It is so very wonderful that these songs survived all these years, and that they can still get the reaction from other people who hear them. Thank you fo sharing this song and for the memories it brought back.....HUGGS to you both, keep up the great old songs.....Marcy

One of my all time fave country singers. He a singer not a performer he sits on a stool with his guitar and just sings at his concerts

As a " Good Ole Boy ", I have requested my daughters play this at my funeral.

Hi there, from South Africa. I am new to your channel. I grew up on a farm and I agree with Tasha this song reminds me of things I have seen and experienced growing up. If you really like old school country I grew up listening to Jim Reeves and Charlie Pride. I would love to see you react to them. My favorite Jim Reeves song is Blue side of lonesome and Bimbo

I am so glad that people can see that southern culture is not founded in hate.

Don Williams, one of my two favorite male country artists of all time. This song was poetry, just like his reference to Thomas Wolfe.

I have every song he ever made .love it

One of my favorite songs I ever covered. Probably because my granddaughter loves my version..

Don is the man, glad people are starting to react to him :)

Folks around here where I live still wave a hand as we pass each other. I really love it

This must be love by Don Williams was a fav by me back in the day...short and sweet.

Aww .. A shout out to Tennessee Williams in a country song. Gotta love it!