About the Song
Now, Settle Back and Let’s Pick a Tune: Waylon Jennings Takes Us Down a Honky-Tonk Highway with “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”
Close your eyes, picture a dusty road stretching out beneath a Texas sun, the air thick with the scent of hay and diesel. Hear the twang of a guitar, the steady beat of a drum, and that unmistakable voice – warm, gravelly, and full of stories – that belongs to none other than the Outlaw himself, Waylon Jennings. We’re talkin’ about a song, folks, a gut-punch of a tune called “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”, and it’s gonna take us on a journey through the heart of what country music is all about.
Now, some of you might remember when this song first hit the airwaves back in 1975. It was a thunderclap in the Nashville sky, a rebellion against the slick, polished sounds that were starting to squeeze the grit out of country music. Waylon, bless his soul, wasn’t having any of it. He brought back the raw honesty, the working-class grit, the stories of the folks who toiled under the sun and drank their sorrows away under the neon lights. This song wasn’t just a catchy tune, it was a middle finger to the suits and a love letter to the soul of country.
And what a love letter it is! From the opening lines, “Well, I woke up this mornin’, sun shinin’ in my face / Heard the rooster crowin’, knew it was time to chase / That ol’ highway dragon, headin’ out to find / Another town, another song, another state of mind,” you’re right there with Waylon. You can feel the road beneath your boots, the wind whipping through your hair, the ache of miles and the thrill of the open highway.
But “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” ain’t just about wanderlust. It’s a question for the soul, a reflection on the path we choose and the legacy we leave behind. Waylon sings about Hank Williams, the country music legend who walked a hard road and left us with songs that still echo in our hearts. He wonders if he’s living up to that legacy, if he’s carrying the torch with the same fire and honesty.
That’s the beauty of this song, folks. It’s personal, yet universal. It makes you think about your own journey, your own heroes, your own hopes and doubts. It reminds you that life is a highway, and we all gotta figure out how to walk it our own way. And while we’re at it, we might as well crank up the volume, let the music guide us, and keep the spirit of Hank Williams alive in every verse and chord.
So, buckle up, friends. We’re about to take a ride with Waylon Jennings down a dusty road, past honky-tonk bars and firefly fields, straight into the heart of a song that’ll make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. Just remember, “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” ain’t just a question, it’s a challenge. A challenge to be true to yourself, to sing your own song, and to keep the flame of country music burning bright.
Now, let the music play!