About the song
Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” stands as a pivotal moment in the evolution of country music. Released in 1975, the song served as a rallying cry for traditionalists who were increasingly disillusioned with the slick, commercialized sound that was dominating the Nashville scene. Jennings, a rugged outlaw figure with a deep-rooted love for the classic country sound, used his music to challenge the status quo and champion a return to the roots of the genre.
The song’s lyrics are a direct confrontation with the prevailing trends of the time. Jennings questions whether the glitz and glamour associated with modern country music were truly reflective of the authentic spirit of the genre. He references “rhinestone suits” and “new shiny cars,” symbols of the superficiality that had crept into the mainstream. In contrast, he evokes the image of Hank Williams, a legendary figure whose music was characterized by its raw emotion and timeless appeal.
Jennings’ gravelly voice and the stripped-down instrumentation of the song further emphasize his message. The absence of excessive production and ornamentation allows the lyrics to take center stage, delivering a powerful critique of the direction that country music was heading. “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” became a rallying cry for traditionalists, inspiring a movement that would ultimately reshape the landscape of country music in the years to come.
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Lyrics
Lord, it’s the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It’s been the same way for years
We need a change
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
“Son, you finally got it made
Old Hank made it here, and we’re all sure that you will”
But I don’t think Hank done it this way
I don’t think Hank done it this way, okay
Ten years on the road, makin’ one-night stands
Speedin’ my young life away
Tell me one more time just so I’ll understand
Are you sure Hank done it this way?
Did old Hank really do it this way?
Lord, I’ve seen the world with a five-piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs, and one of his now and then
But I don’t think Hank done ’em this way, no
I don’t think Hank done it this way
Take it home