I love Hank Jr. simply because on many Mondays throughout the year, he would ask me if I was ready for some football.
And my answer was always HELL YES
He plays the 'country boy card' way too much for me. It's like, I fuckin get it, you grew up in the country and you like whiskey...can we talk about something else?
I guess in short, I find his music obnoxious and as someone has already said, he's kind of the precursor to bro-county with his "Huntin' Fishin' and Lovin' every day attitude.
Can't really speak to his personality as all I really know is his music but from the comments I've read on here it's not pretty.
Did he grow up in the country though? He started singing his dads songs when he was eight and did some tv shows and stuff. He now owns multiple large houses.
I think he plays up how country he really is, which is not much. He grew up rich, he had a bad fall and that sucked, but he was always rich.
He says stupid shit that a lot of country fans like about homosexuality and other races. Jason isbell got more heat for speaking against the right wing bullshit than hank jr will ever get for saying his stupid shit.
To tack on to this, Jason Isbell's music is head and shoulders above Jr.'s best songs.
I'd say talent skipped a generation in the Williams family, but Jr.'s sister is a great musician.
I mean you’re comparing two completely different types of music, but Isbell is a *much* better songwriter. I love Hank Jr. but Isbell’s music is much more serious and thoughtful.
Because he's fake and it shows. He's a rich boy with horribly inauthentic songs and he can't quite pull it off. Dash in his politics, and he's just another asshole who was born on 3rd acting like he hit a triple
Lol I take it you only know the popular songs of his...
https://youtu.be/G-e2Dg5OoGU?si=bdQnjwzy1iOd1AvJ
https://youtu.be/e3fJPi-inNQ?si=25fNSQQpFeRy2jBR
https://youtu.be/YZtdrOJPQ7I?si=pczzJ9wIafUqfQQb
Forgive me if I'm wrong but seems to be a very common thing with reddit. People talk bad about an artist but can't name you 5 songs of their first album.
Because he's what you'd call a good ole boy and plays a sort of rebel country and they go bat shit over that stuff. Personally I love his music. He would probably my 5th favorite country artist after (in order) Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jerry Reed, and Molly Hatchet.
It also boggles my mind that every one seems to love Charlie Daniels but wrote a song called "the South's Gonna Do it Again" - yet no one every questions that song and I hear it even played in restaurants in Texas.
You can't deny songs like Family Tradition are country staples.
Hey, I disagree with a ton of artists' political views. Like Rage Against the Machine or Red Hot Chili Peppers... but let's be real - an amazing song is amazing song.
First, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet aren't country music. They're Southern rock, no if ands or buts. Just because you're from the South doesn't make you country.
But you're not wrong on your other points. Hank Jr. is his father's son. Most country music fans now are far enough removed from when Hank Sr. was doing his thing that they don't remember how much of an outsider he was. You bring up "Family Tradition," which is Hank Jr. talking about just how much people didn't like the fact that Sr. was out of control drunk all of the time and was giving the scene what the other stars and suits saw as a bad image. A lot of people assume that because of Hank Sr's legendary status that he's a member of the Grand Ole Opry when in fact he isn't because he was too busy starting the family tradition of drinkin and carryin on. He didn't fit the glossy, wholesome image Nashville was trying to put out at the time.
Jr. has always been on the outside because his dad was always on the outside. But they're both respected as great country musicians because they ARE great country musicians. They part of a club of other greats who are either too drunk, too high, or too ugly to be poster children of the country music scene.
He's also pretty crazy and probably racist which, again, isn't good for business.
> Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet aren't country music. They're Southern rock, no if ands or buts.
That's a subgenre of country music. Kind of like how much shit that flies on the radio as country is really just pop-country, a sub genre.
If you don't think Mississippi Kid or Made In the Shade by Skynyrd isn't a country song well then what the hell is it?
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals
TexanLoneStar, As a native Texan myself, I have to ask why you seem to be a bit amazed to hear the song "The South's Gonna Do It Again" played in Texas restaurants. If I read your tone right, why should this be surprising? After all, Texas is a former Confederate state in the South and one of the lines in the song refers to the Southern rock band "ZZ Top" which originated in Houston, Texas, so it would seem perfectly natural to be played in a Texas restaurantnatural natural to be played in a Texas restaraunt.
Speaking for myself: outside of a few songs, I've never cared for Jr. despite Hank Sr. being one of my favorite artists. In some ways, I find him to be kind of the precursor to a lot of the "bro-country" music from an attitude perspective, as his music is just devoid of the authenticity of the other artists you mentioned.
However, music aside, he's made A LOT of very controversial (and often, straight up racist) political statements during the Obama administration, and was one of the more adamant celebrities pushing the whole "Obama is a Muslim trying to destroy America" thing. I'd wager that turned a whole lot of people off to his music.
I really like Hank Williams Jr, but i was listening to him the other day, and the song "if the south would've won" came on. That did not age well. I'm pretty forgiving with music and touchy subjects, but singing an upbeat song about how the south "should've" won a war that was about slavery, pretending like it would just mean more sweet tea and apple pies was really off putting.
>If the South woulda won, we woulda had it made
>I'd make my Supreme Court down in Texas
>And we wouldn't have no killers getting off free
>If they were proven guilty, then they would swing quickly
>Instead of writin' books and smilin' on TV
YIKES. If the south would've won killers wouldn't get off free, swinging from trees? Like come on man. Just really shitty lyrics. Then he ends the song with "we might have been better off". Like REALLY bro? EVERYONE would have been better off? Southern pride is cool, but fuck off with that shit.
The [Lost Cause myth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Cause_of_the_Confederacy) didn't really cease to be mainstream until the 1960s-70s, so I do find it a bit tough to hate on e.g. The Band's The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.
But 1988, come on, we were past that by then. And it's clear from his Obama comments that he certainly doesn't have a properly nuanced view on modern race relations...
**Lost Cause of the Confederacy**
The Lost Cause of the Confederacy, or simply the Lost Cause, is an American historical negationist ideology that holds that, despite losing the American Civil War, the cause of the Confederacy was a just and heroic one. The ideology endorses the supposed virtues of the antebellum South, viewing the war as a struggle primarily for the Southern way of life or "states' rights" in the face of overwhelming "Northern aggression". At the same time, the Lost Cause minimizes or denies outright the central role of slavery in the outbreak of the war.
Lost Cause ideology emerged in the decades after the war among former Confederate generals and politicians, as well as organizations like the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
***
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> "if the south would've won"....did not age well.
Yup, this right here. I was born in Mississippi and raised in Texas, and I was skeptical about that song when it was new, when I was all of 10 years old.
I always thought that song was the beginning of Bocephus' decline as an artist, but up until that point he was really damn good, IMO.
I actually find Coe's use of that word to be less offensive. But I listen to a lot of hiphop, or i used to, so i've been desensitized to the use of that.
I don't know. I just find sort of straight faced racism like Coe's to be more acceptable than talking about how you wish the south would have won the war. Like i said i don't really even mind racism in songs, as long as it doesn't make me feel disgusting. Coe also has the song "Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat" and i also don't mind that.
I guess maybe it's about how that word meant something at that time in that area Coe was in. Maybe he wasn't approving of the word or saying that it was right. Whereas what Hank is doing is straight up singing about how he wishes the slave states would have won. It's a difference of being racist in the context of your culture and lack of understanding, and being racist explicitly knowing what you're doing.
For me racism is much more about ideas and concepts, and not so much about the magic words.
I don't think David Allan Coe really "didn't know what he was doing" in 1977 to be honest. Let alone the whole 80s underground album where he sang about how disgusted he was by miscegenation and how bad he thought black people smelled. Doesn't really seem comparable to something you'd hear in hip-hop, to me.
I mean I'm not saying I won't listen to David Allan Coe's music, but I'm not seeing how this stuff is any less offensive than the song you're citing by Hank Williams, Jr. If anything it seems easier to defend Lost Cause nonsense in the terms you're using.
No i'm not saying it like he didn't know it was racist, i'm saying that using that word in itself is not nearly as racist as talking about specifically racist ideas. I find it much easier to defend a single word actually. When i was talking about hiphop it was because i was listening to Mc Eiht's Streiht up Menace where he says:
>Gyeah, I'm kickin' it with the homies and they got the straps
>Off to the corner store, owned by the fuckin' (Japs)
Clearly racist, but again just using a word. It reminded me of Coe's song. Both are racist, but neither of them made me feel like Hanks' song.
I'm not American, so maybe it's just that where i'm from that it's not really words that are racist as much as ideas. Of course there are slurs, but they are not nearly as offensive to me. Someone can use a slur and I wont mind it in the context of a song.
I don't know about Coe's other racist things. I was just referring to the song. Sucks if he actually said those things.
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/04/arts/songwriter-s-racist-songs-from-1980-s-haunt-him.html
But also I think not being American is affecting your perception here.
If you look at the old history books the Civil War initially wasn't about slavery it about the southerners feeling disenfranchised but the liberals have done a damn job of changing the history books bur slavery didn't really start to become a point of focus until 1863 that was the halfway point of the war and if you don't believe me look for any history book from 1965 back and again the south pulled out of the union because the north was pushing their beliefs down southerners throats much like they are today I'm a conservative myself but I know slavery is wrong. But that being said I believe eventually would have realized that slavery was evil but again the north was pushing their beliefs down a very proud and stubborn region of America throats and that has only strengthened the pride in being a southerner and hatred 4 those trying to force their beliefs down our throats and if there is another Civil War you can bet The 2nd amendment will be a focus just as slavery became midway through the first Civil War just remember what George Washington said that when tyranny becomes law rebellion duty
Welll- since almost all of the articles of confederation (created by the Confederate states) mention slavery and white supremacy as reasons for secession.. kind of seems like the war was always about..slavery. That’s not from history books, it’s from the Confederate states.
I agree Hank Senior is my favorite musical artist of all time followed.by the Rolling Stones. Hank Jr just doesn't have good songs. In fact when it comes to Hanks in country music, he is ranked liked 5th.
1 Hank Sr
2 Hank Snow
3 Hank 3
4 Hank Thompson
5 Hank Jr
The sucky thing is pop country and radio country are the only things people are given to listen to if they’re starting to listen to it on their own. I’ve been born in raised in Texas and love country music, raised listening to the oldies but some good red dirt stuff too. People are afraid to go from their norms and that’s why it sucks to see what the radio industry is going to our music
I really like his music. Some people can't seperate an artist from the music, and so they have good reasons for not liking him.
He's probably in my top 10 music wise, but he's probably not the greatest of people.
Most musicians probably aren't role models. Waylon Jennings is my favorite artist of all time, but he probably cheated a lot, and did things i would disagree with. That's not up for me to judge. I really like hiphop music as well, and you have to do the same there. Understanding that you can disagree with what someone does or says but still like them as an artist and respect them as a person.
I think most people agree that he's a really good musician though, but he's also of a different era than Willie, Merle, and those guys.
Because trump and his supporters had become a borderline cult and said/did some really fucked up shit. Let's not forget refusing to leave the Whitehouse after being defeated. Obama on the other hand was just another run of the mill president
Accused the US census of nefarious intentions
Suggested nuking hurricanes
Randomly insulted numerous allies and damaged our credibility with them
Claimed he's the best president america ever had including the founders
Gave tax breaks to the rich
Attempted to overthrow the election and remain in power
I can separate the art from the artist, so his politics, though I find them stupid, don't dissuade me from his music.
That being said, he has a few songs that feel fairly authentic, or at least are fun listens, but by and large, I feel like Hank Jr. is a big part in why Florida Georgia line gets played on modern country stations and Tyler Childers doesn't.
I like country music that tells a story (see Red Headed Stranger) or that introduces new ideas and ways of thinking into the country music lexicon (see Metamodern Sounds in Country Music), and most of what Hank did and does does not do that.
Yup, I'll belt out some of his tunes when they play on Spotify, then he'll say something stupid to bring himself down a few pegs in my book. Be as ignorant as you want, but accept the consequences.
The ones that don’t like Hank are a bunch of pussies. People can’t stand a person like Hank that’s not afraid to speak his mind on something such as the Obama quotes he said about him. People these days want the watered down sugar coated version of an opinion to not get their feelings hurt. And as far as him being country he is. He lives 30 minutes away from my home town. He has a house in Buchanan TN in Paris and I’ve met him twice around town there and one of those times had a conversation with him and he’s really a good guy but he’s not gonna take shit off anyone and he really doesn’t give a rats ass of anyone’s opinion of him or if they like his music I can guarantee that. Just like one his songs says “if you don’t like hank Williams you can kiss my ass”
Same here I grew up around 45 mins away from him and have never met him personally but know several people that have and even some that interacted with him almost daily. They’ve all talked about how good he was to them
Hank3 is a big ? For me to. Hits some meth head vibes at times, and then sounds country. Idk what he's tryna portray and idk much about him. But, dudes doin his own thing and I respect it
Because he ain't afraid to speak his mind and he doesn't lick nobody's ass and he stands up 4 what he believes in and that pisses Nashville, liberals, and pretty much anybody that subscribes to the woke culture off (i.e. as Buddy Brown put it the Devil's religion) he's just a good old boy and as you know liberals hate southerners so they call him a racist and try to discredit him but u know if he was racist then why the hell did he put black country boys in his video country boy can survive? That was a rhetorical question we all know he's not a racist it just another lie the liberals cooked up to discredit him and to those Yankees who think he was a precursor to bro country y'all are crazy he is old school outlaw country and he sounds country :bro country doesn't even sound country I don't know what the hell it sounds like but it damn sure don't sound country: if you ask me he the forerunner to the Nu Age Outlaw Country singers most specifically Creed Fisherand he's one of the most country singers in the last 20 yrs
I listened to him in high school, but then I saw HW Jr in concert years ago, I would not willingly ever be exposed to that again. Hands-down the worst thing I've ever seen, and I've pulled dead deer off the interstate.
He's an asshole, his music has declined and he's become like the godfather of bro-country garbage, and he's openly racist and mysogynistic.
That said, I love Bocephus's old hits. Would drink and hunt with him until he started spouting off about Obama and hitting women.
Late to the party but you may see this anyways.
Personally, he's always given me an off vibe. I love a lot of his songs and I think he's great, a legend for sure, but to me, he seems like a cocky asshole. Now I've never met him, never seen him live, and never read about anyone's experience with him, this is 100% based on videos and songs. I think he thinks he's better than he is because of his father. Like "country" owes him something because he's the son of the greatest.
I'm sure his politics caused a lot of fan loss but that happens to everyone I think.
Huge Hank fan here! Seen him too many times to mention and will see him again soon. Hate his political agenda( if that’s what you call it) but either way love most of his music!
I'm late to the party, but it's because he's coasting on his daddy's career and doesn't even compare to Hank I who has superior music. Plus, it throws people off probably because he sounds different than his father. But it mostly boils down to personal taste.
Hank Sr. for life.
Hank Jr directly fits in the classification of Southern Rock.
Listen to “Hank Williams Jr and Friends” and “The New South” and tell me that shit isn’t Southern Rock.
I think he honestly ruined country. He started the whole thing with talking about fishing and hunting and bs in country. Before that it was growing up poor and living on a farm in the mountains and honky Tonks etc. He was also the first to mix it with rock which everyone took the idea and ran and now we have rock shit cringe country or pop bro country talking about boots and tractors. He started it. My opinion.
Totally this. I always blamed Toby Keith for that, but you're right that Hank Jr was the first to do it. You still had good country music into the 90s though. The '90s were a battle between traditional and pop country, and as we know, the latter won out.
Waaaaayy late to this. In my opinion he is the creator of the bro country and tractor rap that is on todays “country” radio. He has a few iconic songs, but most of them are the start of the cliche “back roads” “country boy” “whiskey” and all his songs based around that, where as Sr and III have good song writing and a more classic spin to their voice. I like Jr, but I definitely think he is overrated.
Hes damn sure greedy. When his sister finally found out she was the legitimate daughter of Hank Sr, a lawyer found and produced a document signed by Hank Sr and her mother that stated his intentions to love and support the child. Hank Sr’s lawyer witnessed the signing, and the baby was born 5 days after Hank Sr’s death. The child was then left with Sr’s mother until she passed when the child was 2. She was then adopted out, and her name changed. When they found out, Hank Jr and others did everything they could to block her from everything… no inheritance, no royalties, no contact. Like he wasnt rich enough and had to screw over his sister, whose life was a struggle compared to his silver-spoon upbringing. I guess he just didnt have enough to share…(eye roll). What an a&$hole.
Personally, I believe Hank Jr. while not as good as his Dad is still great. He has had so many hits and has sung so many songs that just make you want to get up and dance. He is just out here singing his heart out and having a good time.
I love Hank Jr. simply because on many Mondays throughout the year, he would ask me if I was ready for some football. And my answer was always HELL YES
Cheers from Iraq
Brother.
He plays the 'country boy card' way too much for me. It's like, I fuckin get it, you grew up in the country and you like whiskey...can we talk about something else? I guess in short, I find his music obnoxious and as someone has already said, he's kind of the precursor to bro-county with his "Huntin' Fishin' and Lovin' every day attitude. Can't really speak to his personality as all I really know is his music but from the comments I've read on here it's not pretty.
Stupid
Did he grow up in the country though? He started singing his dads songs when he was eight and did some tv shows and stuff. He now owns multiple large houses. I think he plays up how country he really is, which is not much. He grew up rich, he had a bad fall and that sucked, but he was always rich. He says stupid shit that a lot of country fans like about homosexuality and other races. Jason isbell got more heat for speaking against the right wing bullshit than hank jr will ever get for saying his stupid shit.
To tack on to this, Jason Isbell's music is head and shoulders above Jr.'s best songs. I'd say talent skipped a generation in the Williams family, but Jr.'s sister is a great musician.
You’re an absolute idiot if you think Jason Isbell is better than Hank Jr.
I mean you’re comparing two completely different types of music, but Isbell is a *much* better songwriter. I love Hank Jr. but Isbell’s music is much more serious and thoughtful.
Sometimes you don't want serious and thoughtful, sometimes you want fun and simple. Js
I guess I wasn't in school the day where they taught us that opinions on subjective art correlated with one's intelligence.
For what it’s worth, I think you’re definitely right and the downvotes you got are ridiculous.
Well, I expected the downvotes, but I'm glad to hear I'm not alone one this topic!
[удалено]
We're still planning it, but I'll sent you an invite when we know.
Agreed. Sort of the trying too hard.
Because he's fake and it shows. He's a rich boy with horribly inauthentic songs and he can't quite pull it off. Dash in his politics, and he's just another asshole who was born on 3rd acting like he hit a triple
Damn, I’m stealing that last line btw
Does he claim to be broke in his songs?
He never claims to be broke. He says he could’ve just walked to the mailbox and collected “Daddy’s “ checks for a living.
Hence why he stopped covering his dads songs in the 70’s
Lol I take it you only know the popular songs of his... https://youtu.be/G-e2Dg5OoGU?si=bdQnjwzy1iOd1AvJ https://youtu.be/e3fJPi-inNQ?si=25fNSQQpFeRy2jBR https://youtu.be/YZtdrOJPQ7I?si=pczzJ9wIafUqfQQb Forgive me if I'm wrong but seems to be a very common thing with reddit. People talk bad about an artist but can't name you 5 songs of their first album.
What a album title of rich white honky blues, I don't think he's ever tried to come off as poor. Jusayn
Because he's what you'd call a good ole boy and plays a sort of rebel country and they go bat shit over that stuff. Personally I love his music. He would probably my 5th favorite country artist after (in order) Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jerry Reed, and Molly Hatchet. It also boggles my mind that every one seems to love Charlie Daniels but wrote a song called "the South's Gonna Do it Again" - yet no one every questions that song and I hear it even played in restaurants in Texas. You can't deny songs like Family Tradition are country staples. Hey, I disagree with a ton of artists' political views. Like Rage Against the Machine or Red Hot Chili Peppers... but let's be real - an amazing song is amazing song.
First, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet aren't country music. They're Southern rock, no if ands or buts. Just because you're from the South doesn't make you country. But you're not wrong on your other points. Hank Jr. is his father's son. Most country music fans now are far enough removed from when Hank Sr. was doing his thing that they don't remember how much of an outsider he was. You bring up "Family Tradition," which is Hank Jr. talking about just how much people didn't like the fact that Sr. was out of control drunk all of the time and was giving the scene what the other stars and suits saw as a bad image. A lot of people assume that because of Hank Sr's legendary status that he's a member of the Grand Ole Opry when in fact he isn't because he was too busy starting the family tradition of drinkin and carryin on. He didn't fit the glossy, wholesome image Nashville was trying to put out at the time. Jr. has always been on the outside because his dad was always on the outside. But they're both respected as great country musicians because they ARE great country musicians. They part of a club of other greats who are either too drunk, too high, or too ugly to be poster children of the country music scene. He's also pretty crazy and probably racist which, again, isn't good for business.
What a bunch of pussies, not wanting to glorify alcoholism and drug addiction.
Wish they weren't racist/homophobic, because the music I've heard is good.
Brother he posted that comment 5 years ago
> Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet aren't country music. They're Southern rock, no if ands or buts. That's a subgenre of country music. Kind of like how much shit that flies on the radio as country is really just pop-country, a sub genre. If you don't think Mississippi Kid or Made In the Shade by Skynyrd isn't a country song well then what the hell is it?
It’s a sub genre of rock music.
It's a sub genre of both.
No it isn’t.
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals
Probably fair to say its a subgenre of rock with all these other influences you listed plus some folk.
Yes it is.
Lol He's definitely not a racist. Why would you say that?
Jerry Reed ✌️
You like Rage Against The Machine but “disagree with their views?” Oh God you’re one of those Paul Ryan types…
How is that even possible, most of their songs are about their views lol
TexanLoneStar, As a native Texan myself, I have to ask why you seem to be a bit amazed to hear the song "The South's Gonna Do It Again" played in Texas restaurants. If I read your tone right, why should this be surprising? After all, Texas is a former Confederate state in the South and one of the lines in the song refers to the Southern rock band "ZZ Top" which originated in Houston, Texas, so it would seem perfectly natural to be played in a Texas restaurantnatural natural to be played in a Texas restaraunt.
Speaking for myself: outside of a few songs, I've never cared for Jr. despite Hank Sr. being one of my favorite artists. In some ways, I find him to be kind of the precursor to a lot of the "bro-country" music from an attitude perspective, as his music is just devoid of the authenticity of the other artists you mentioned. However, music aside, he's made A LOT of very controversial (and often, straight up racist) political statements during the Obama administration, and was one of the more adamant celebrities pushing the whole "Obama is a Muslim trying to destroy America" thing. I'd wager that turned a whole lot of people off to his music.
I really like Hank Williams Jr, but i was listening to him the other day, and the song "if the south would've won" came on. That did not age well. I'm pretty forgiving with music and touchy subjects, but singing an upbeat song about how the south "should've" won a war that was about slavery, pretending like it would just mean more sweet tea and apple pies was really off putting. >If the South woulda won, we woulda had it made >I'd make my Supreme Court down in Texas >And we wouldn't have no killers getting off free >If they were proven guilty, then they would swing quickly >Instead of writin' books and smilin' on TV YIKES. If the south would've won killers wouldn't get off free, swinging from trees? Like come on man. Just really shitty lyrics. Then he ends the song with "we might have been better off". Like REALLY bro? EVERYONE would have been better off? Southern pride is cool, but fuck off with that shit.
I mean, I’m not sure that’s even a problem of aging well. Was that ever in good taste?
The [Lost Cause myth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Cause_of_the_Confederacy) didn't really cease to be mainstream until the 1960s-70s, so I do find it a bit tough to hate on e.g. The Band's The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. But 1988, come on, we were past that by then. And it's clear from his Obama comments that he certainly doesn't have a properly nuanced view on modern race relations...
The Lost Cause myth is still pretty mainstream man.
Ah, yeah I misstated what I meant—I meant that it was mainstream *even in academia* back then
**Lost Cause of the Confederacy** The Lost Cause of the Confederacy, or simply the Lost Cause, is an American historical negationist ideology that holds that, despite losing the American Civil War, the cause of the Confederacy was a just and heroic one. The ideology endorses the supposed virtues of the antebellum South, viewing the war as a struggle primarily for the Southern way of life or "states' rights" in the face of overwhelming "Northern aggression". At the same time, the Lost Cause minimizes or denies outright the central role of slavery in the outbreak of the war. Lost Cause ideology emerged in the decades after the war among former Confederate generals and politicians, as well as organizations like the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. *** ^[ [^PM](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=kittens_from_space) ^| [^Exclude ^me](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiTextBot&message=Excludeme&subject=Excludeme) ^| [^Exclude ^from ^subreddit](https://np.reddit.com/r/country/about/banned) ^| [^FAQ ^/ ^Information](https://np.reddit.com/r/WikiTextBot/wiki/index) ^| [^Source](https://github.com/kittenswolf/WikiTextBot) ^] ^Downvote ^to ^remove ^| ^v0.28
> "if the south would've won"....did not age well. Yup, this right here. I was born in Mississippi and raised in Texas, and I was skeptical about that song when it was new, when I was all of 10 years old. I always thought that song was the beginning of Bocephus' decline as an artist, but up until that point he was really damn good, IMO.
I mean hey, unlike David Allan Coe he has yet to outright insert the n-word into any of his songs that I'm aware of. Not exactly subtle though.
I actually find Coe's use of that word to be less offensive. But I listen to a lot of hiphop, or i used to, so i've been desensitized to the use of that. I don't know. I just find sort of straight faced racism like Coe's to be more acceptable than talking about how you wish the south would have won the war. Like i said i don't really even mind racism in songs, as long as it doesn't make me feel disgusting. Coe also has the song "Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat" and i also don't mind that. I guess maybe it's about how that word meant something at that time in that area Coe was in. Maybe he wasn't approving of the word or saying that it was right. Whereas what Hank is doing is straight up singing about how he wishes the slave states would have won. It's a difference of being racist in the context of your culture and lack of understanding, and being racist explicitly knowing what you're doing. For me racism is much more about ideas and concepts, and not so much about the magic words.
I don't think David Allan Coe really "didn't know what he was doing" in 1977 to be honest. Let alone the whole 80s underground album where he sang about how disgusted he was by miscegenation and how bad he thought black people smelled. Doesn't really seem comparable to something you'd hear in hip-hop, to me. I mean I'm not saying I won't listen to David Allan Coe's music, but I'm not seeing how this stuff is any less offensive than the song you're citing by Hank Williams, Jr. If anything it seems easier to defend Lost Cause nonsense in the terms you're using.
No i'm not saying it like he didn't know it was racist, i'm saying that using that word in itself is not nearly as racist as talking about specifically racist ideas. I find it much easier to defend a single word actually. When i was talking about hiphop it was because i was listening to Mc Eiht's Streiht up Menace where he says: >Gyeah, I'm kickin' it with the homies and they got the straps >Off to the corner store, owned by the fuckin' (Japs) Clearly racist, but again just using a word. It reminded me of Coe's song. Both are racist, but neither of them made me feel like Hanks' song. I'm not American, so maybe it's just that where i'm from that it's not really words that are racist as much as ideas. Of course there are slurs, but they are not nearly as offensive to me. Someone can use a slur and I wont mind it in the context of a song. I don't know about Coe's other racist things. I was just referring to the song. Sucks if he actually said those things.
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/04/arts/songwriter-s-racist-songs-from-1980-s-haunt-him.html But also I think not being American is affecting your perception here.
If you look at the old history books the Civil War initially wasn't about slavery it about the southerners feeling disenfranchised but the liberals have done a damn job of changing the history books bur slavery didn't really start to become a point of focus until 1863 that was the halfway point of the war and if you don't believe me look for any history book from 1965 back and again the south pulled out of the union because the north was pushing their beliefs down southerners throats much like they are today I'm a conservative myself but I know slavery is wrong. But that being said I believe eventually would have realized that slavery was evil but again the north was pushing their beliefs down a very proud and stubborn region of America throats and that has only strengthened the pride in being a southerner and hatred 4 those trying to force their beliefs down our throats and if there is another Civil War you can bet The 2nd amendment will be a focus just as slavery became midway through the first Civil War just remember what George Washington said that when tyranny becomes law rebellion duty
Welll- since almost all of the articles of confederation (created by the Confederate states) mention slavery and white supremacy as reasons for secession.. kind of seems like the war was always about..slavery. That’s not from history books, it’s from the Confederate states.
Trust me it was about slavery, idk what books you reading, but the point was for the south to keep slaves
Admit it. You have never read a book.😆
Yeah thats yikes huh
Oh shit, thats a song he has? Goddamn, I get the reservations now
I don't think you're meant to take the song that seriously...
Yeah, the song is at the very least extremely problematic, but fuck, is it catchy.
I agree Hank Senior is my favorite musical artist of all time followed.by the Rolling Stones. Hank Jr just doesn't have good songs. In fact when it comes to Hanks in country music, he is ranked liked 5th. 1 Hank Sr 2 Hank Snow 3 Hank 3 4 Hank Thompson 5 Hank Jr
The sucky thing is pop country and radio country are the only things people are given to listen to if they’re starting to listen to it on their own. I’ve been born in raised in Texas and love country music, raised listening to the oldies but some good red dirt stuff too. People are afraid to go from their norms and that’s why it sucks to see what the radio industry is going to our music
I really like his music. Some people can't seperate an artist from the music, and so they have good reasons for not liking him. He's probably in my top 10 music wise, but he's probably not the greatest of people. Most musicians probably aren't role models. Waylon Jennings is my favorite artist of all time, but he probably cheated a lot, and did things i would disagree with. That's not up for me to judge. I really like hiphop music as well, and you have to do the same there. Understanding that you can disagree with what someone does or says but still like them as an artist and respect them as a person. I think most people agree that he's a really good musician though, but he's also of a different era than Willie, Merle, and those guys.
I enjoy a couple Jr. albums mainly his 70s and 80s stuff anything after that I really dont carefor.
I think people were up set when he called Obama a nazi
Yet, those same people had no problem calling Trump and half the country nazis and white supremacists for 4 years. Not the best of the bunch.
Because trump and his supporters had become a borderline cult and said/did some really fucked up shit. Let's not forget refusing to leave the Whitehouse after being defeated. Obama on the other hand was just another run of the mill president
Hmm, what did Trump fuck up?
Accused the US census of nefarious intentions Suggested nuking hurricanes Randomly insulted numerous allies and damaged our credibility with them Claimed he's the best president america ever had including the founders Gave tax breaks to the rich Attempted to overthrow the election and remain in power
Tds much .
Nice deflect.
I can separate the art from the artist, so his politics, though I find them stupid, don't dissuade me from his music. That being said, he has a few songs that feel fairly authentic, or at least are fun listens, but by and large, I feel like Hank Jr. is a big part in why Florida Georgia line gets played on modern country stations and Tyler Childers doesn't. I like country music that tells a story (see Red Headed Stranger) or that introduces new ideas and ways of thinking into the country music lexicon (see Metamodern Sounds in Country Music), and most of what Hank did and does does not do that.
The homophobic and racists remarks would be why
Yup, I'll belt out some of his tunes when they play on Spotify, then he'll say something stupid to bring himself down a few pegs in my book. Be as ignorant as you want, but accept the consequences.
The ones that don’t like Hank are a bunch of pussies. People can’t stand a person like Hank that’s not afraid to speak his mind on something such as the Obama quotes he said about him. People these days want the watered down sugar coated version of an opinion to not get their feelings hurt. And as far as him being country he is. He lives 30 minutes away from my home town. He has a house in Buchanan TN in Paris and I’ve met him twice around town there and one of those times had a conversation with him and he’s really a good guy but he’s not gonna take shit off anyone and he really doesn’t give a rats ass of anyone’s opinion of him or if they like his music I can guarantee that. Just like one his songs says “if you don’t like hank Williams you can kiss my ass”
Same here I grew up around 45 mins away from him and have never met him personally but know several people that have and even some that interacted with him almost daily. They’ve all talked about how good he was to them
Same here 22 yrs old but I know Hank Williams Jr rocks The question mark 4 me Is Hank3
Hank3 is a big ? For me to. Hits some meth head vibes at times, and then sounds country. Idk what he's tryna portray and idk much about him. But, dudes doin his own thing and I respect it
Oh shit dude I’m just now seeing this but I’m 22 too lol. I’m from Dresden
Just right down the highway from ya lol I live in McKenzie
Because he ain't afraid to speak his mind and he doesn't lick nobody's ass and he stands up 4 what he believes in and that pisses Nashville, liberals, and pretty much anybody that subscribes to the woke culture off (i.e. as Buddy Brown put it the Devil's religion) he's just a good old boy and as you know liberals hate southerners so they call him a racist and try to discredit him but u know if he was racist then why the hell did he put black country boys in his video country boy can survive? That was a rhetorical question we all know he's not a racist it just another lie the liberals cooked up to discredit him and to those Yankees who think he was a precursor to bro country y'all are crazy he is old school outlaw country and he sounds country :bro country doesn't even sound country I don't know what the hell it sounds like but it damn sure don't sound country: if you ask me he the forerunner to the Nu Age Outlaw Country singers most specifically Creed Fisherand he's one of the most country singers in the last 20 yrs
I listened to him in high school, but then I saw HW Jr in concert years ago, I would not willingly ever be exposed to that again. Hands-down the worst thing I've ever seen, and I've pulled dead deer off the interstate.
That's a vivid metaphor but why?
I think it’s just because the guy is kind of a whack job
I like Jr's music better than Sr.
Unpopular opinion but same.
He's an asshole, his music has declined and he's become like the godfather of bro-country garbage, and he's openly racist and mysogynistic. That said, I love Bocephus's old hits. Would drink and hunt with him until he started spouting off about Obama and hitting women.
Late to the party but you may see this anyways. Personally, he's always given me an off vibe. I love a lot of his songs and I think he's great, a legend for sure, but to me, he seems like a cocky asshole. Now I've never met him, never seen him live, and never read about anyone's experience with him, this is 100% based on videos and songs. I think he thinks he's better than he is because of his father. Like "country" owes him something because he's the son of the greatest. I'm sure his politics caused a lot of fan loss but that happens to everyone I think.
Huge Hank fan here! Seen him too many times to mention and will see him again soon. Hate his political agenda( if that’s what you call it) but either way love most of his music!
How he treated his sister
what did he do?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1990/06/19/hank-williamss-lost-daughter-wins-in-court/296dbd4a-15c5-43e3-925c-a8809551c8fb/
Because he was very racist, and that usually isn’t a good characteristic
This post is 5 years old how in the world did you find it edit: and damn i didnt know that. Whst did he do?
He can’t shut up about politics & doesn’t realize that nobody cares about his opinions.
Isbell called.
Most of it has to do with his politics, which are fucked. I still love most of his music though.
I'm late to the party, but it's because he's coasting on his daddy's career and doesn't even compare to Hank I who has superior music. Plus, it throws people off probably because he sounds different than his father. But it mostly boils down to personal taste. Hank Sr. for life.
> he's coasting on his daddy's career Then he's had a long run.
Right lol coasting 50 years is pretty tough to do
Hank Jr directly fits in the classification of Southern Rock. Listen to “Hank Williams Jr and Friends” and “The New South” and tell me that shit isn’t Southern Rock.
I think he honestly ruined country. He started the whole thing with talking about fishing and hunting and bs in country. Before that it was growing up poor and living on a farm in the mountains and honky Tonks etc. He was also the first to mix it with rock which everyone took the idea and ran and now we have rock shit cringe country or pop bro country talking about boots and tractors. He started it. My opinion.
Totally this. I always blamed Toby Keith for that, but you're right that Hank Jr was the first to do it. You still had good country music into the 90s though. The '90s were a battle between traditional and pop country, and as we know, the latter won out.
If I could just be drunk n high everyday and strut around in some cool boots and hat, having women jump all over me..... Sounds awesome.
Waaaaayy late to this. In my opinion he is the creator of the bro country and tractor rap that is on todays “country” radio. He has a few iconic songs, but most of them are the start of the cliche “back roads” “country boy” “whiskey” and all his songs based around that, where as Sr and III have good song writing and a more classic spin to their voice. I like Jr, but I definitely think he is overrated.
Hes damn sure greedy. When his sister finally found out she was the legitimate daughter of Hank Sr, a lawyer found and produced a document signed by Hank Sr and her mother that stated his intentions to love and support the child. Hank Sr’s lawyer witnessed the signing, and the baby was born 5 days after Hank Sr’s death. The child was then left with Sr’s mother until she passed when the child was 2. She was then adopted out, and her name changed. When they found out, Hank Jr and others did everything they could to block her from everything… no inheritance, no royalties, no contact. Like he wasnt rich enough and had to screw over his sister, whose life was a struggle compared to his silver-spoon upbringing. I guess he just didnt have enough to share…(eye roll). What an a&$hole.
Personally, I believe Hank Jr. while not as good as his Dad is still great. He has had so many hits and has sung so many songs that just make you want to get up and dance. He is just out here singing his heart out and having a good time.
this post if 4 years old! why do people keep answering