Written and recorded by Hank Williams in 1949, Elvis Presley called it the "the saddest song I've ever heard."
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
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Amazing song! Hank Williams is such a defining character in country music — and maybe even music in general — that ironically it is easy to overlook him. Often the country songs that get the most attention are the least interesting — examples: On the Road Again is hardly Willie Nelson's best work; Elvira was not the song in which the Oak Ridge Boys demonstrated their greatest depth or talent. And I kind of thought that way about Hank generally — perhaps because of the fact everyone knows his name, I guess I thought maybe his stuff lacked the depth or virtuosity of a Kristofferson or Bob Wills. Or maybe familiarity bred if not contempt, at least disinterest. Then Ken Burns reintroduced me to Hank. It was like listening to his songs for the first time — and once I got to that place where it was like the first, rather than the 300th, time I heard Hank, I was in awe. Thanks so much for sharing this. It really is a masterfully done song and the covers are extraordinary.
Glad you liked the post, Wes. Unfortunately, there is very little video of Hank Williams performing, basically some short clips from the Kate Smith Show, when he appeared with the Grand Ole Opry. If you search around, you can find some great live radio performances.