OH NO! First time listening to HANK WILLIAMS - I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY | REACTION 

Hank was the Hillbilly Shakespeare. In a time when being a strong man meant you had to hide your feelings, he was strong enough to show his for the world to see and sing for these men to show them that somebody understood them.

Elvis Presley sang this in his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert. He introduced it by saying ""I'd like to sing a song that's... probably the saddest song I've ever heard."

This is one of my favorite Hank Williams songs. You can just hear the loneliness in his voice, as he was a lonely man himself. Combine that with Zeke Turners lead guitar playing throughout the song and Jerry Byrds steel and Tommy Jacksons fiddle, and you've got a masterpiece.

You read the lyrics of this song and it is pure poetry! The man was a genius wordsmith! "The moon just went behind the clouds to hide its face and cry"...."The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky!"

I have been singing this my whole life. Hank Sr is amazing. I love the cry in his voice, the steel guitar, the fiddle...oh how I love this song. My Daddy sang it to me, and I to my kids. Thank you for reacting to this. He's a legend and one of the founders of Country music. He needs and deserves to be heard. ❤️🙏😇

Hank Williams Sr, the greatest Country songwriter/performer of them all IMO. His songs came from his tortured life. Thanks so much for this.

This was one of my dad's favorite songs. I have to say, I like it pretty well myself.

He wrote from his heart. His life was not his own after he gained fame. He died at age 29 after succumbing to alcohol abuse.

Hank was the man! He wrote most of his songs. He had so many great, great songs. This one, Your Cheating Heart, Lovesick Blues, Cold Cold Heart, Hey Good Lookin', I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You), Jambalaya (On the Bayou). If you ever hear people talking about how the Beatles were so innovative, bringing in exotic sounds for their records, listen to Kaw-Liga. You may have sang I Saw the Light in church. We did.

Love this song. Hank Williams is awesome.

He was only 29 when he died of heart failure attributed to years of alcoholism & prescription drug abuse. Sad...

My father loved Hank...Rip...both of em😢

Hank Williams was and IS one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He is the hillbilly Shakespeare. Great choice please do more any song of his songs are worth listening to and the more you listen to his songs the more you learn about him.

When I was in high school in the late 60's/ early 70's there were a series of inescapable ads on TV selling Hank Williams compilation LPs by mail. The catch phrase was "Nobody played 'em like Hank". I was (and still am) a rocker at heart, but those ads made me an instant fan.

This is a true American Masterpiece. Hank had a short but impactful career.

This guy had to have been sprinkled by gold dust...so Universal high lonesome blues...I always feel better after hearing Mr. Hank sing. Thank You Hank

Some give Hank credit for starting what is considered modern day country music.

The almost endless number of people who have covered this song is a testament to how great it is.

His wife was cheating on him, which gave him sad songs to write. He also wrote Your Cheatin' Heart about her.

One of the saddest songs ever written. Elvis Presley sang a great version live in Hawaii.

The quintessential country song. Written, and sung, from the heart as only Hank could do it.

Hank exhibits what we want in music: raw connection to deep emotions through poetry instrumental composition and nuance, then, top it off with a human voice that authentically brings it all together by letting you feel the uncontrived emotion.

This music is deep in my blood. Hank has been ringing in my ears since 1970 when I was born. That was my dads favorite singer. Thanks for listening to it.

This is classic American Country music at its core. My mom used to have a bunch of 78s of this artist. Boy, that vinyl is brittle. What passes for Country today is pathetic. It used to be Country Western music. In any event, you cannot get more Country Hard Core than Hank Williams. In the classic sense that is. Again, not all artists today are watered down, there are some good ones. But not many. Certainly none as authentic as Hank Williams.

Hank was a legend. I request hank williams beyond the sunset. It's a beautiful song. My grandmother requested that we would play it at her funeral when she passed.

This is a pure classic country song if there ever was one. Ken Burns's documentary series Country Music devotes pretty much an entire 2 hour episode just to Hank Williams Sr, titled "The Hillbilly Shakespeare." A whippoorwill is a bird found in the American south. It sings at night, with a distinctive cry that sound like "whip-poor-will." I don't know if people always heard it as mournful or melancholy, or this song made it impossible for them not to ("he sounds too blue to fly."😢)

What poetic lyrics. The imagery is so very poignant. Hank knew how to touch the heartstrings of even pop music afficionados at the time of this release.

Could we just take a moment and think what he would have became if he lived past 27 "I believe"... Incredible artist!!!

Alot of artists did covers of this song, like Elvis and B.J. Thomas, but this original written and sung by Hank Williams Sr. Is definitley my favorite by far.

Possibly the greatest 2 + minutes in musical and lyrical history.. this song is to the Bone

He lived to be 27 years old. And put out dozens of unforgettable classics. And changed the Music industry forever. I can only imagine the impact he would have had if he had even ten more years on this Earth. Loved the video. Thank You so much for giving the original legend a chance. I think you would love Hey Good Lookin. Or Move It On Over by Hank. They were his upbeat hits.

Hi KSO what a gift with words some of these songwriters had Hank Williams was definitely one of the best

A short life but one just as blues guitarist and singer Robert Johnson (dying at 27 ) the importance of what they accomplished in a few years cannot be overstated.

The Hillbilly Shakespeare. My dads favorite singer. I grew up listening to this type of music as a youngster and I do play it on guitar with my 80 yr old father. He never tires playing Hank

This is my favorite Hank Williams tune. He was a very talented man with deep personal issues (he was an alcoholic and an addict) and you could feel his pain through his music. He died really young, at the age of 29 on Jan. 1, 1953, leaving behind two children, a son and daughter. His son Hank Williams Jr. is also a very talented country music singer. Both father and son and legends in the business. There is a great old movie about the life of Hank Williams Sr. starring a young George Hamilton named after one of his best hits, Your Cheating Heart (1964). 💖💖

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard , the words are a masterpiece

So raw, yet so smooth.........none of the cover versions come close to matching the original. Thanks so much for posting....

Lets not forget these boys recorded that LIVE in he Studio. No track, no retakes to correct things and no processing the vocals. What you heard is what he gave ya'll. I wish he lived longer. I can only imagin the stuff he would have done. Funny seeing your video of " The 1st time hearing Hank Williams " When I was a kid, back in 1967, and everyone was rock and rolling, I found an Old Hank record my old man had and I got hooked that day. I played the record over and over to try and figure out what was happening. Well, what happened is Hank, even gone, capture another ear, heart and I am still hooked on his music today. Welcome aboard ! :-)

My Dad loved old yodeling country and western - Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Wilf Carter (Canada's Yodelling Cowboy), as well as Flatt & Scruggs (who did the theme song to the Beverly Hillbillies). To this day I get nostalgic over old country and western music, and have a great appreciation for it.

Music historians give Hank Williams credit for writing and performing the first example of what would later become Rock n Roll, a little song he wrote and released in 1947 called Move It On Over. Hank was more known for Country Blues and Honkytonk but had his music covered by many artist out side of country music. Tony Bennett had his first big hit with a song written by Hank Williams. Hank Williams had quite a great influence on the music industry.

I first heard this song on the radio with my grandfather in 1950, when I was four. The quality of Hank's songwriting was excellent, he never released a bad song. His music sounds a bit archaic by todays' standards, but get his greatest hits CD and you will be converted. This is a country classic. How about "Lost Highway"?

one time Hank was holding auditions for a steel guitar player for the band, this one guy comes in and plays this hot lick on the steel and the band members all cheered. But Hank ask the guy, "That was great, but can you dumb it down some?". The ask what he meant, and Hank said "I want a farm boy to be able to hear it on Friday night and whistle it in the field on Saturday". I always loved that story, it gives such insight to his philosophy of entertainment. Great reaction. Peace

Great song. Hank has a way of getting the feels going for me. This is another great example of why people should listen to everything. Every genre has its little gems. Sometimes you have to dig to find them, but its so worth it.

The best country song ever written.

Love Hank Williams and this song

You are really deep into it now, KSO! This is pure Appalachian mountain music. Hank was a true hillbilly, country & western icon. B.J. Thomas (the guy who sings "Raindrops Are Falling on My Head") did a cover of this song that is amazing!

Hank Williams was a big influence on many who followed, including Bob Dylan. I think I read once that he wrote about 1500 songs. Nice reaction.

His voice isn't crying he does yodel in quite of his few songs so it tends to come naturally, this guy pioneered music as we know it today, little did he know he influenced rock too dive deep into his music he was gifted in writing and singing of the heart. Even know his song still live on like a true legend.

Hank Williams has some beautiful Blues Country Music! Your Cheating Heart, I Heard that Lonsesome Whistle.,etc.

When Elvis performed this song in the worldwide concert Aloha from Hawaii in 1973 he told the audience it was the saddest song. Hank was the real deal.

YES,YES, I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH REST IN PARADISE MR.WILLIAMS AWESOME WRITTER AND SINGER .I was a very little girl and I fell in LOVE you could his heartache and sadness

That man didn't even live 30 years,just imagine if would have lived how much Hank would have done!love his style

Yeah, actually he was drunk. All we poets, helpless romantics have. It's so nice to see someone of color, and so young appreciate this golden gem of a song. I wish I knew you. Wish I could share with you all the other golden gems since forgotten. May the music set you free, love.

You should hear Hank's composition in the persona of Luke The Drifter : "Men With Broken Hearts" -- it's a moving narration.

Hank. A true icon indeed.

Hank had some of the best musicians available at the time.

I grew up with this music. When country was real music.

🤠💔 I am so glad that you are doingcountry songs!… They all tell the best stories!… ❤️🙏🏻🇺🇸

It makes me cry. Was my late Dad's favorite.

well done for reacting to this artist, one of the true greats of country music

I love Hank Williams thank you for playing it check out take these chains from my heart by him you'll love it

The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky...poetry.

My Dads most favorite singer . He liked what he called that the older country . Country from the 40s and 50s . I was born in 60s and so I grew up with what he called what he called newer country the 60s and 70s and occasional 40s and 50s . If I wanted pop I needed to listen to it in my room . So I grew up well rounded in music . Before I even bought any pop (records it was back then ) I bought two country singles or 45 records . Lynn Anderson I never Promised you a rose garden and Dolly Parton's Coat of many colors . I believe I was 9 when they came out . My first Pop My friends had those records and we listened to them there before I bought any of my own . Those first two favorites at 9 was Joy to the World by the Three dog night and American pie by Don Mclean .

He had a great voice and a short life. If you want to hear something more cheerful by him try Jambalaya on the Bayou Jambalaya on the Bayou - Hank Williams - RU-vid

I love his Lovesick Blues!

My Dad's favorite, no one quite like Hank. His Luke the Drifter songs are also great. "We're Still Livin" so everythings OK" Great song and we need to think about it today, maybe we would be better off.

Classic country sound. I love his music.

never be another song like that...Hank took it with him..good for him

The life of traveling and working in bars is a lonely life. His son Junior had a song called Family Tradition. Hank way do you drink?

I remember the first time I heard a Whippoorwill.. I was an roughly 12. My parents got into another one of their bad arguments, and my mom started walking down the driveway, with my older sister and carrying my little brother who was a toddler. My dad was standing outside of the house, and I was halfway between them. I didn't want to be walking down the road, so I was going to try to stay. My mom yelled at my dad that I was wanting to stay there. But dad looked at me with a pissed off face, doubled up his fist, and probably said something. Basically signifying to me to get away from him, and that I wasn't staying. So I joined up with mom and my siblings and started walking. It was in the evening, but it eventually turned into night as we walked. We didn't have anything but ourselves. We walked roughly 3 miles down the dirt road before a guy and a lady in their truck drove by and offered to give us a ride. My mom gave them a fake story about our car being broke down and that we were just going to a random house about a mile down the road. Mom tried to decline the ride offer, but they were insistent. So we jumped in the back, and they dropped us off in front of that house. We started to continue walking down the road, but the dogs at that house were barking. The owner eventually came out after hearing the commotion and told us to freeze or he'd shoot. Told us to come to him, where he was standing at his driveway gate. He then realized that it was just a woman and 3 kids. Mom gave him the same false story about our vehicle being broke down. He offered to help, but mom was insistent that we didn't need any. We then continued walking roughly another half mile down the road, and then stopped in a driveway to a field. We sat around and rested for a while. It was dark, and we were in the middle of the woods. It was during that time that I first heard a Whippoorwill repeatedly making it's distinct call into the night. But to end the story, we somehow got in contact of my grandparents (dad's parents). I can't remember how, since we didn't have a phone. And we had them come and pick us up just off of the highway. We continued to walk roughly another 1.5 miles to get to the highway where they picked us up.

Hank is one of the true icons of country music, but what a tragic life he lived. Very sad.

the legend of all legends.

One of Hanks best but he had many. Died way to young at age 29. A whippoorwill is a bird 😊. Thank you for sharing 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍Lone Wolf :)

@KSO Treat yourself to a Hank Williams "Greatest Hits" box set and listen to one of the greatest of ANY genre. "You Win Again", "Cold. Cold Heart", "Hey Good Lookin'", etc etc......

Slice of advice. If you listen to Country Music, please make sure you have a Box of Tissues. Listen to "He Didn't Have To Be" or I've Got Your Picture, She's Got You" Yet they also have some funny songs as well.

Hank william is a country god in your homeland i like him alot

It's the pictures that he paints with the lyrics that get to me.

Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie were probably the 2 biggest influences on Bob Dylan, who then influenced almost every major rock artist, starting with the Beatles. Hank was also central to the development of country music. He was a brilliant songwriter.

Probably the greatest song ever wrote..Period

Also try "Hey, Good Lookin""

The greatest country singer ever

Hank could reach into your soul and make it weep.

If you want to hear & see something cool, watch the video of Hank Jr singing with his father Hank Sr. "There's a tear in my beer". Hank died when Hank Jr. Was 3 yrs old(I think). The video is amazing.

One of my absolute favorite artists, and I'm 29. His career only lasted about 4 years, but he had the largest impact out of anybody in the genre. Sad to think of all the other great songs we will never hear, due to his young passing.

Even the fiddles cry😭👍

One of my favorites. My Mom used to listen to him - so I have a sweet connection. Takes me back in time. :)

"The moon just went, behind the clouds to hide it's face and cry".....pure poetry...

Big Hank Williams fan here. When I was a teen, could not tolerate it. Time changed me. He is soooo goood, great

Yes baby girl...YES!!!! You gotta close those eyes and just feel it

Dead at 29, Hank Williams was the Immortal Master!

What a writer 1 he died here in Knoxville on New Years eve on his way to W.Va.

This is one of those songs that though it was covered well by Al Green, Hank Williams' version will always have a unique quality that makes it stand alone. Do check out Al Green's excellent version.

Hank was the King. For decades if you wanted to break into the music world you recorded a Hank Williams song. It was a good chance it would sell if you had any talent.

There is no such thing as a bad Hank Williams song. On their own every one of them is peerless but then you add the high lonesome heartbroken voice and you have the miraculous. This is his greatest work. Even God cries when she hears this.

In the pantheon of lyricists, he's on fucking Mt. Rushmore with Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and a player to be named later... The GREATEST storyteller songwriter that ever drew breath on planet Earth! The sad thing is that to be that good at it, he had to live it. Hank had a HARD life. But he lived it hard for all of us to see, so maybe we wouldn't have to.

Everytime im drunk I listen to this, I always shed a tear,

Oh my goodness, this is music that I grew up with, albeit many years after it was released(I'm not THAT old!(lol)). My dad was a big fan of Hank Williams; as far as he was concerned, Hank was The Man...along with Jim Reeves. So I grew up hearing a lot of their songs. His son, Hank Williams Jr., had a great career, too; one of my favorite Hank Jr. Songs is "We Are Young Country".😁

Grew up with this music and eventually learned bass guitar and played them all. Now I am a metal head but it doesn't take me much to go back to my roots and play with the ol boys..

Some of his best work was put out under the name "Luke The Drifter"-but have your tissues ready for many of them, he was a man with a lot to say, and said it well, before taking hrs leave of this world at 29 years of age.

This is one of his greatest crying songs. Now try one of happy songs: "I Saw the Light" or "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".