I'm a rocker not a country fan but Hank Williams was something special. Btw Fil, your unbridled joy at watching other musicians? Don't ever lose that.

America's Hillbilly Shakespeare. His lyrics are so profound and heart-wrenching. Died at 29, long before he hit his prime, and bequeathed us some of the greatest songs ever written.

"Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart." As a songwriter, I'd kill to write lyrics like that. They're perfect.

I'm a metal fan to my core. But this is when country was country. Not just songs about getting drunk in my Ford truck but stories set to music. Hank has a special place in my cold cold heart :)

Once again you amaze with your appreciation of music not only from another genre but a different era by a long way. You knowledge from studying up on the music you analyze is in forming and insightful. Two thumbs up. Keep up the great job you do. Always enjoy you videos as well as watching you and your enjoyment.

I'm glad Fil recognizes how good Hank Williams really was. His voice was so perfectly modulated, such precise expression.

It's a shame there's not more footage of Hank. No one could deliver lyrics like Hank, cause he literally lived them as he wrote them. Good times, bad times, sad times. He put it all out there and left it. He is my all time favorite. Bar none. Thank you Fil.😊

Don Helms was 16 when he joimed the Drifting Cowboys, it was the band who approached Hank and asked hom to join them. He didnt have his own band Don Helms said, Helms said they heard Hank on the radio playing his acoustic and singing, the rest is history.

The most wonderful thing about Fil is he covers all music generations!! No age is off limits!!! ❤️❤️❤️

“I’m so lonesome I could cry” is pure poetry and more proof of his genius.

A classic,...please bring back this sound, I can't bear the new "Country".

Hank Williams, the King of Country Music until his tragic death. Another shinning star that burnt out to quickly. He sang a song to the audience like he was in their living room. Too bad the music now is so over produced without I think any originality. Thanks Hank. Your the best.

HANK LIVED EVERYTHING HE SANG ABOUT , HE SET THE BAR NO ONE HAS HAS PASSED YET THANKS FIL

When I was a young green bassist, our wise old drummer once told me: "Just when you think you are at the right tempo, tap the brakes just a hair more. Then you'll be just about right." 20 years later and Ive never fogotten that lesson about the effects of adrenaline.

Hank’s voice was so strong and so pure. Perfect pitch and tone.

Grand Ole Opry was wrong to throw him out. He drank to try and kill his back pain. God bless Minnie Peal for being there for him when she could.

In many areas of the Southern USA people didn`t get electricity until after WW2. Those who could afford it used radios powered by car batteries and would keep the extra radio battery charged using their car. Those who couldn`t afford electric radios built simple crystal sets that used high impedance headphones, relatively simple homemade coils, an air variable tuning capacitor and galena crystals as diodes to rectify the signal. This simple radio was powered by the radio signal itself and used a long length of wire (100 feet or more) as an antenna. No battery needed! They worked surprisingly well. Today these simple circuits are much easier to build because better parts and wire are easy to get your hands on. Often the old timers were forced to build everything from scratch except the wiring used.

I saw a interview with Dion, who became friends with Buddy Holly . Buddy a country boy was amazed that the ultimate New York City slicker knew more Hank Williams songs than him. He was the ultimate crossover artists .

Hank Williams ranks among the very greatest songwriters of all time. Both John Lennon and Bob Dylan were big fans of Hank, and when the 2 greatest songwriters of all time admire you so much, that surely indicated how truly great Hank was. Great performer of course as well, with his band.....simply amazing and will never be, and could never be, repeated.

Has you can see the suit I’m wearing in my profile pic it a Hank Williams suit. I traveled playing Hank in Hank Williams Lost Highway. Sold out shows everywhere we went. The show would wear me out.it was a full two act play with real band. The show was a roller coaster ride. It made you pat your foot, it made you laugh, and it made you cry, it made you even mad at Hank sometime. Toward the end of the show I drunk laying on a platform, singing about god and gold, throwing money with hate from my pockets, a total mess of tears and sorrow. It alway took its toll because I felt it deeply every time. I saved the famous white nudie suit for end when I came out and sang I saw the light, with the entire cast dressed in white. What I found what shocked people the most that people would tell me - they didn’t realize Hank died at the age of 29. I lived in Hank’s shoes, I enjoyed being Hank. But being real to the role took it toll. The knee movements, his lanky strumming weren’t hard to get - it was the humble burden that carried the show. Even my hat was special made with a gamblers crown and a little off the rim to help remove shadow. I’ve researched everything there is on Hank. I’m so glad people like Wings of Pagasus are still keeping Hank up there where he belongs and never forgotten. 👍🏻

Hank is the MAN. So human and flawed and beautiful and talented. When this song became his first real 'cross-over' hit, sung by Tony Bennett and heard nationwide, it is said Hank was so excited he'd run into juke-joints and look for it on the jukebox and happily play it, in spite of the patrons shouting about "that New York dago!" singing it. Hank was a sensitive guy and was afraid that some of his lyrics were too "poetical" (as he said) for listeners, wondering, for example, if he should change the lyric, "The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky," but his producer wisely talked him out of it, exhorting him not to worry, that his fans would understand. Hard to believe his songwriting and output given that he died at just 29 years old.

I remember when he died. I was nine. We went to my grandmother's and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins came over. Lots of people but it was so silent. Everyone in mourning. It felt like the whole town was quiet.

"I asked Hank Williams, how lonely does it get. Hank Williams hasn't answered me yet, but I can hear him coughing all night long, one hundred floors above me in the tower of song"-Leonard Cohen. A beautiful tribute from perhaps the other greatest songwriter who ever lived. Read the Hank Williams biography by Colin Escott. Great book. Hank's death ride would make one hell of a Twilight Zone episode.

As a child in the '50s, I remember how my dad played his favorite singer, Hank Williams, constantly on the "hi-fi" at home. I never liked him then, but can appreciate Hank Williams music as an adult, particularly my favorites like "jambalaya" and the one about "move over little dog, 'cause the big dog's moving in". And of course, "Your Cheating Heart".

Fil - thanks so much for all the history on Hank Williams - his medical history/back pain/etc.... and thank you for the obvious admiration and joy you experience while you are watching the videos as well!

He was my mother’s FAVORITE singer. She cried like a baby when he was tragically killed. I grew up listening to his records on the turntable. Thank you SO much for this feature and walk down memory lane ❤

His stage presence was phenomenal. He looks cool as a cucumber. Like he’s on tv every day. Thanks, Fil. You nailed it beyond nailing it !!

my mom who had her 90th birthday today loved country music especially Hank!!

I love how we still have videos of this hank,its one thing to listen from a record,its another to see him on stage,alive and well,and happy,it gives you chills down to the bone

I think his last release was " I'll never get out of this world alive" chilling to listen to.

Fil. You are a godsend to the internet. Hank Williams is a godsend to us all.

Having listened to some Hank Williams classics, I was just thinking what Phil would think about him and how he would analyse him and what song he would Pick. I was not disappointed. An excellent, spot on review of Hank's style and life and presented in a way almost as if done by memory. Amazing.

As the great Mr. Cohen once wrote: "I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get? Hank Williams hasn't answered yet But I hear him coughing all night long Oh, a hundred floors above me in the Tower of Song"

Another Hank Williams song, "Move It On Over", was YEARS ahead of its time.

I have a lot of respect for you showcasing musical legends like Hank Williams. To be able to analyze music objectively and judge on it's own merits, shows your respect for musicians spans multiple genres. You haven't pigeonholed yourself into one style of music.

Heard one of Hank Jr's daughters saying Kurt Cobain called Hank Sr the original punk..

He wrote this about his wife. They had quite a tumultuous relationship. Fil, if you can access Ken Burns’ brilliant eight part documentary, “ Country Music”, you won’t regret it.

My dad was a Grade A, Top Shelf Hillbilly with a capital H from southeast Kentucky. Outside of bluegrass, Hank was probably his favorite. So, I’ve been listening to Hank literally from the womb. This music is in my DNA. I feel it in my bones. The man bled hits and accomplished so much in a ridiculously short time. A true musical giant, a legend’s legend...

The great thing about so many steel players is that they're very humble and unassuming fellas.

I would have never had listen to a Hank Williams song, as this type of country music is so unappealing to me. But because you explained the talent it took to make this song and Hank William's ability. It makes me have a different viewpoint, even though the sound does not appeal to me. I really listened to the song. and the lyrics were really quite great. So thank you.

The Hillbilly Shakespeare one of the best song writers ever,tragic short life,but a long legacy in country and ,even rock music.

Hank Williams!! Thank you, Fil! This is precious. I love Hank Williams so much! Thank you so much for appreciating this music as much as we do. He sings to all of us. We love you Fil!!!! You are just the best. But, yes, Hank Williams had a very very rough life. God bless his soul.

Much love to your show! Happy Birthday to me! Thankful to enjoy this today! Hank Williams was my dad's favorite, lost him when I was nine. You area joyous soul. Thank you so much!

Senior, Junior, and III. Some really talented genes there.

As much as anyone who ever lived Hank is the essence of Country music and he did it all before he died so young. I never even liked that style of music until I saw "The Last Picture Show" in which Hank's singing is featured. That movie is a masterpiece. Thank you Fil.

The live play Lost Highway was performed a few years ago at the Ryman Auditorium ( the original home of the Grande Ole Opry in Nashville Tn.) by a gentleman that commented about the Hank video. It’s the story about the life of Hank Williams named after the song Hank sang called Lost Highway. The play Forever Patsy Cline was also performed their earlier about the life of Patsy Cline, both tributes to the greatest man and woman country music stars.

Whoa Hank Williams song writing was amazing. His performance is just raw with pure greatness!

Genius in a musician is hard to describe..just listen to Hank simply incomparable

Another extremely important artist. This guy was basically the template for country music proper. Natural songwriter and unfortunately passed just when he was hitting his stride. He is still missed.

His voice is so earthy and real and probably more so, his words also so earthy and real is why this man will always be a legend.

...this and I’m so lonesome I could cry are two of the best songs ever written, country or otherwise...enjoyed it, Fil... Cutter & Ms C

Hank, George Jones, and Johnny bring back a lot of good memories from my childhood. I'm more of a stoner/sludge/doom guy as I've gotten older, but I still love old country. It's some of the best music ever made, and it's the only music that can still bring me to tears. Thanks for reacting to this, Fil! So awesome!

He was way before my era but I have heard about him since. I love the way his legs and feet appear to be moving so beautifully to the rhythm of this song. There is a haunting 1970s country song that’s about Hank called The Ride by David Allan Coe.

Hank died 7 decades ago and his music is still being played and still being covered. It makes me wonder what his influence would have been if he had lived another 40 or 50 years. Thank you for such a comprehensive analysis of the Legendary Hank Williams!

I was a youngster when Hank performed and had records. When he died, I was 11 years old and sat on a stump in my back yard and cried. His song writing was second to none!!

A remarkable tribute and critique of Americas premier Hillbilly Folk artist by one SO young, yet SO knowledgeable, and from beyond the Great Pond!!! Well done!

Such pure music. Timeless. The older i get the more i appreciate it.

I LIKE HIS SONG HEY GOOD LOOK IN 😍😍😍

Hank is my all time favorite singer,performer, and songwriter.

I love Hank he is in my soul.

Oh , btw when Mick says , "if i could stick my pen in my heart and spill it all over the stage". Well that's exactly what Hank did. .

Considered one of the greatest songwriters of his time. His songs have been covered by big name country and pop artists over the decades. His words could be related to by anyone in life.

Oh man Hank Williams! Cold Heart was my favorite!❤ another great lost to us. Thanks again for the memories Fil❤❤

Hank Williams an American Icon!~The work you do is impressive thank you for loving Hank The Drifter! Hank was a Every man's Man!

In my opinion Hank Williams was the best songwriter that ever lived on this planet and I am not really a big country fan. He was a wonderful singer as well. The emotions were always real and heartfelt. When I'm feeling down and depressed that's when I play Hank Williams . Not a fan of fiddles and steel guitar but I put up with it because Hank was worth listening to. Thanks Fil😊

So glad to hear Hank Williams! PLEASE do _Lovesick Blues_

I'm grateful for your work and analysis of this song. 70 years have gone by but Hank's music continues to inspire us today and will long into the future.

Hank was the greatest. A true music genius. A great singing voice too. Check out some of his other songs too. He wrote and recorded about 600 songs in only 4 years of recording before he died. Amazing output of great songs.

I can feel for him because I had a deteriorated disc in the early eighties and five years later finally gave in and had the fusion. Mine was successful and most of my pain was relieved. But it did not work for everybody. Thirty years later, I ruptured a different disc and had to have it done again. I am 78 and still getting around pretty well. But back when Hank suffered his problems the painkillers and the surgeries were not as safe or effective as they later became. The pain can be dehabilitating. I can see how he would turn to alcohol and drugs in desperation. Aside from his personal loss, it is a great tragedy that such a talent was lost so early. Think of the songs he might have given us, had he lived longer.

This is so strange I am from Alabama Hank williams name is huge here and this is the first time I have ever "seen" him perform. Thanks!

Fil, your technical and historical knowledge of production is breathtaking. You've helped me understand why so many artists I enjoy are so great and for that I thank you. Here, you've done such an excellent explanation of a convoluted and complex time and context of not just the music biz but cultural , historic, transportation and even medical background. My hat's off to you for that one! You also point out where the music is being human and emotive. which is why the performance is so stellar, while not technically perfect. It is fascinating to me.

Phil as a banjoist and guitarist and fiddler from Texas I wanted to personally thank you for caring about Southern music and sharing it with British listeners. All love and respect sir always!

Prop me up by the Jukebox when I die...now that's beer drinking music..I know all of you Englishers can relate..thanks Fil

In Texas we call that belt-buckle polishing music.

Hank Williams. I am honored you did this on him.. What can I say other than you are Amazing in what you do💯❤️ Thank you

Watching you is like opening up an encyclopedia...your knowledge is exhilarating .

My Dad sings this when he is around the campfire, usually about three cups in....LOL, But I like it. That reminds me that I LOVE the song "Scarlet Ribbons" the JIm Reeves version because he used to sing that at bedtime. Omigosh! would you write an analyses for Scarlet Ribbons??

Brought back memories of my dear old Mam and Dad. Thank you.

When I lived in Montgomery, Ala., in the '70s we'd take a six-pack and guitars to Hank's grave and play his songs late at night. Fun times.

Hi Fil! I sure remember Hank Sr.! That was real country music! The days I listened to the Grand Ole Opry come back! He died way too soon, but he sure left a legacy including Hank Jr. one of my favorite country singers! This was a treasure! ✌️

I was only 6 months old when Hank died, and my folks home was not too far from where he died. Growing up in West Virginia in the 50s and 60s country music was always in the background and I knew almost every one of Hank William's songs before I was 7 years old. Thank you for doing this video, Fil.

The greatest country music singer ever. I only wish he could have lived longer. Any and every music lover should listen to his catalogue of music. Thanks Phil for delving n to all types of music.

Greatest country star ever, he set the pace, but has never been equaled. Hank could hang em on the end of their seats when he sang, he lived and sang the songs people experienced in life.

Hank is the best demonstration of unlearnable skills.

Thanks for Hank as I am a big fan of his.

Hank Williams Sr., a great entertainer for that time in country music... Hank Williams Jr. is no slouch either, great Artist in his own right, the apple doesn't fall from the tree,... Nice break down Filip... It's so sad about his untimely demise, i never knew about his tragic ending, and the events surrounding it... Rip Hank Williams Sr.

As I get older ,I appreciate Hanks music.good job

Thank you love Hank Williams Sr. This song is one of my favorites

What a voice and what a band. Hank definitely is the king of country.

There were other country artists at time with catchy but mournful Appalachian style tunes. But none had that hauntingly beautiful bluesy feel. And those lyrics....truly timeless.

Dude, I love your hard work on teaching us about musical performance of various musicians in various genres. You rock!

Midnight train ... drives around the bend I'm so lonesome ... I could cry Incredible imagery

My parents listened to Hank Williams, so this brings back memories. I love your analysis of our country music here in USA!!! I appreciate how you are able to give a great analysis of any style of music with no judgement on style, etc. Thank you, Fil. I learn so much from you!

This it's one of the best analysis I think you've done to date!! It is true that he is the granddaddy of all and set the bar as others will say so incredibly high, this man and his band is where so many country and western legends would say their inspiration came from. Hank Williams jr. and Waylon Jennings wrote a few great songs together, if you should ever get the time check them out!!True red white and blue country, classic♡

That steel player is on point. Just perfect.

GREAT, just great, there must be millions of us by now who see your love of your art form, understand it, and share the insights with the rest of we tru music lovers. Thanks, a lot, Rick&Morgan

FIL, That is a great bio of Hank. People don't understand the amount of physical exertion that performing puts on a person. When contracts are signed you have no choice. Your reputation is at stake. In my years of touring there were times that I had to go to the hospital before and after shows to get 'propped' up with medical attention to get through shows. Having 103° fevers or head splitting headaches that alcohol couldn't even help whilst putting on shows as if nothing is wrong is a downside that fans don't think about and promoters don't care about. Thanks for bringing this to light. Rawk 😎

Probably America’s greatest songwriter.

Thanks for spending so much time talking about Hank Williams and explaining so much I didn't know. It's really appreciated.

Once again it is truly a pleasure to listen to your knowledge of music. I have never heard anyone more knowledgeable. Wish you were in the USA!!!!