It's not always a bed of roses to be the child of a famous star, especially if you want to go into the same field. You want to be your own person and artist, not just be regarded (or looked down on) as someone's kid. Hank Williams Jr. has truly and fully emerged from the long shadow cast by his famous father. He sometimes pays sincere and loving tribute to Hank Sr. by covering his songs. (In fact, he did an album in 1993 called Tribute to My Father.) What is remarkable is that he makes them his very own. Here are four examples of that which are really exceptional and noteworthy.
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'You Win Again'
Written by Hank Sr., this 1952 song tells of the narrator's anguish because his woman has stepped out on him yet again. The pattern of her cheating hurts his heart sorely. He chides himself for still caring for her, which is the ultimate ironic "win" for this unfaithful gal. When Hank Jr. sings it, the pain of being left behind for another oozes through each word. His voice conveys all the emotion that anyone's could. This rendition of the song is triumphant and soulful.
'Kaw-Liga'
This song cruised to the number one spot on the charts for Hank Sr. and was crafted with assistance from Fred Rose, Williams' publisher and producer. It dropped after his untimely passing. Per countrythangdaily.com, "The song tells the story of a wooden Indian called 'Kaw-Liga' who fell in love with an 'Indian maid over in the antique store....'" Then, sadly, someone buys the Indian maid, leaving Kaw-Liga alone. When Hank Jr. sings it, you can tell how much fun he's having. He never tries to replicate or outdo his father. This is his cover, solely and uniquely.
'Your Cheatin' Heart'
One of Hank Sr''s best-known and loved songs, it gets a robust treatment from his son. It almost feels like he's dong everything possible to make his version a dramatic departure from his dad's. With just the right amount of country-style sass and gorgeous instrumentals, it's a keeper. Interestingly, when a film was made in the 1960s bearing this song's title about the life and career of Hank Sr., the teenage Hank Jr. fittingly supplied the singing, per allmusic.com. Despite his youth, he fared admirably on beloved tunes like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Your Cheatin' Heart." Even then, he was precociously and abundantly talented.
'Hey Good Lookin'
This bouncy 1951 song made it to the top spot on the charts for Hank Sr. It's still one of his signature tunes. Hank Jr. definitely does it justice. Breezy and appropriately flirty, with plenty of effectively-used strings, he boldly stakes his claim to this track. Irresistible.
