Hank Williams In A Country Song Quiz

Answer: The Way It Was In '51

Hank Williams was born in 1923 in Alabama. His first hit single, "Never Again" was released in 1946. In 1949 he played at the Grand Ole Opry and received six encores.
Merle Haggard is both the writer and performer of this song.


"Sixty-Six was still a narrow two-lane highway
Harry Truman was the man who ran the show
The bad Korean was was just beginning
And I was just three years too young to go
Country Music hadn't gone to New York City yet
And a service man was proud of what he'd done
Hank and Lefty crowded ev'ry jukebox
That's the way it was in fifty one."

Answer: How lonely does it get?

In October 1952 Hank Williams was fired from the Grand Ole Opry because of his problem with alcohol. He died at the age of 29 on January 1, 1953.


"I said to Hank Williams: how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
A hundred floors above me
In the tower of song."

Answer: Moe Bandy

When Moe Bandy was starting his career he tried to sound like Hank Williams.

Hank's father was hospitalized for eight years during Hank's childhood. He helped his mother make ends meet by doing simple jobs such as delivering newspapers and shining shoes.


"You wrote "Your Cheatin' Heart" about
A gal like my first ex-wife
You moan the blues for me and for you
Hank Williams, you wrote my life."

Answer: Midnight In Montgomery

Hank Williams' aunt, Alice McNeil, taught him to play the guitar. Rufus Payne, or "Tee-Tot" was a big musical influence to Hank Williams.

"When the wind is right, you'll hear his songs
Smell whiskey in the air
Midnight in Montgomery
He's always singing there
He's always singing there
Hank's always singing there."

Answer: David Allan Coe and Tim McGraw

David Allen Coe released his version of "The Ride" in 1983. Tim McGraw released his version in 2003.

"Well, he cried just south of Nashville, and he turned that car around.
he said: [spoken] 'this is where you get off, boy
cause I'm going back to Alabam'.
Well, I climbed out of that Cadillac and I said Mister, many thanks.
he said you don't have to call me mister, Mister.
The whole world calls me Hank."

Answer: Waylon Jennings

Hank Williams hosted a radio show two nights a week in 1938. The success from that show started his music career. In 1939, Hank Williams dropped out of high school so he and his band, The Drifting Cowboys could perform full-time.


"Hank let's talk about your daddy tell me how your mama loved that man

Well just break out a bottle hoss I'll tell you bout the driftin' cowboy band

We won't talk about the habits just the music and the man

Now Hank if you just got to tell me did your daddy really write all them songs

That don't deserve no answer hoss let's light up and just move along

Do you think he wrote 'em about your mama or about the man who done her wrong

Well back then they called him crazy now a days they call him a saint

Now the ones that called him Lord crazy still ridin' on his name."

Answer: Elvis Presley

George Jones mentions many country artists in the song, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes". The first verse includes Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Conway Twitty. The second and third verses refer to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Charlie Pride, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell.

Answer: Clinton Gregory

"Play some Hank, play some Willie, play some Restless Heart
But don't play "A Tender Lie" 'cause I might fall apart
But the future's lookin' bright, 'cause I'm finally feelin' right
And if it weren't for country music I'd go crazy."

Answer: Waylon Jennings

The song "There's A Tear In My Beer", a dubbed recording with Hank's son Hank Williams Junior won both Music Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year at the CMA awards in 1989. In 2003 CMT ranked Hank Williams as the second greatest man in country music.


"Hank you were my inspiration
And I was obsessed with your ways
But to tell you the truth
It's no thanks to you
That I'm still living today
Hank I still love your music
And in spite of the things I've just said
You'll always be
A hero to me
But the Hank Williams syndrome is dead."

Answer: Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert

Many people have covered Hank Williams songs. They range from James Brown to Elvis, to Johnny Cash. Many artists, including Charlie Pride and George Jones have done tribute albums to Hank Williams.

"Ten years down the road, making one night stands
Speeding my young life away
Tell me one more time just so I understand
Are you sure Hank done it this way
Did Ol' Hank really do it this way?"