Top 10 Greatest Hank Williams Songs Of All Time – Vote Now!
They had a few names for Hank Williams, Luke The Drifter and The Hillbilly Shakespeare among them. Both aliases sum up the extraordinary range of a man who was not only a country classicist, but also one of the greatest and most influential songwriters of the 20th Century. And yet Hiram King Williams, from Butler County, Alabama, only lived to be 29.
You’ll find Hank Williams in all the relevant halls of fame, of course, and he is still rightly celebrated for a body of work that continues to haunt the airwaves. Though Hank only released two studio albums in his lifetime, both in the early 50s, a slew of posthumously sourced recordings have continued to enhance his reputation. They burnish a legacy that began during his lifetime with the dozens of hit singles that graced the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers (11 of which made No.1). Williams’ legacy is vast, with fans including Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley and every CB trucker who ever hauled a rig across America.
Here’s our pick of the 10 greatest Hank Williams songs of all time.
Disagree with our picks for the 10 greatest Hank Williams songs of all time? Let us know which ones you would pick in the comments below.
UK English
Una mc cann
January 4, 2018 at 7:11 pm
The lost highway
Chuck Creel
January 4, 2018 at 8:29 pm
cold cold hart
bill shell
January 11, 2018 at 8:40 pm
The lost highway best ever
Jake Talley
January 30, 2018 at 4:36 pm
THEY’LL NEVER, NEVER TAKE HER LOVE FROM ME
Jamie H Parker
February 1, 2018 at 3:46 am
I SAW THE LIGHT
Judy kennedy
January 4, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Tear drop on a rose
Buck
January 4, 2018 at 7:38 pm
I saw the light
LaJuan Chambers
January 4, 2018 at 7:44 pm
I saw the Light
Harold G Totten
January 4, 2018 at 8:16 pm
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” tops any song written by anyone during my lifetime!
John
January 30, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Have to agree
HVACRV
January 4, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Your Cheating Heart
Geri
January 5, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Cheating Heart,my favorite, Than Cold Cold Heart,Love all Hanks songs.
Thomas Kero
January 4, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Too many great songs to choose from! My personal favourites:
Alone And Forsaken.
Your Cheating Heart.
Hey, Good Lookin’
Lost Highway
Jambalaya.
Edith Harris
January 5, 2019 at 6:33 am
My husband sang Hey Good Looking to me , just about every time I was in the kitchen, I did not like to cook.. I would be happy if I could hear him again…so that is my vote but they are all good.
Kyle maggard
January 4, 2018 at 8:53 pm
Old country Church
P
January 4, 2019 at 9:04 pm
Oh yeah! The best of the best.
Per
January 4, 2018 at 8:56 pm
Tennessee Border – too often overlooked, but classic!
John Coutts
January 4, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Always a favorite with me too. I was married in North Carolina, just a few miles from the Tennessee border, back in 2003, so the song has meaning for me, and I’m from Scotland – not the US! 🙂
Dan Tannehill
January 12, 2018 at 2:52 am
“I picked her up in a pickup truck” Way better than anything coming out of Nashvegas these days.
Diana Maxhimer
January 4, 2018 at 9:40 pm
Your Cheatin Heart # 1
Nolan James
January 4, 2018 at 9:40 pm
Weary Blues From Waitin’. Has that great line: “Through tears I watch young lovers as they go strolling by, for all the things that might have been, Lord forgive me if I cry”.
Cody
January 4, 2018 at 9:43 pm
My son calls another man daddy
Amanda 6
January 4, 2018 at 10:22 pm
I Saw the Light.
Skip Williams
January 4, 2018 at 10:28 pm
There are so many top picks that were created by this genius who could create a masterpiece in the matter of five minutes. I would have to say that my top pick would have to be “Your Cheating Heart” After that “Kaliga.”
John Coutts
January 4, 2018 at 11:29 pm
Cool Water – it wasn’t one of Hank’s own songs, but I have always thought that Hank gave it an intensity and depth of feeling that he rarely displayed on any of his own songs. Bob Nolan wrote the song in 1936, and The Sons of the Pioneers recorded it first in 1941. Hank recorded the song in 1948, or possibly 1949, for the Johnny Fair Syrup Company radio show on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dennis Devencenzi
January 5, 2018 at 12:02 am
My bucket has a hole in it
chuck mccullough
January 29, 2018 at 6:10 pm
I agree completely, followed by Cigareets and whiskey and wild wild women.
Tabatha
January 5, 2018 at 12:25 am
They don’t make them like him anymore
Alicia
January 5, 2018 at 2:25 am
I Saw the Light and Long Gone Lonesome Blues.
Hank Sunn
January 5, 2018 at 3:50 am
Your Cheating Heart
Stewart Sandison
January 5, 2018 at 3:57 am
Any list that doesn’t have Please Don’t Let Me Love You is missing the most heart-wrenching one of all…
Norwegian Countrylover
January 5, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Lovesick Blues is the top one for me..!
Genie
February 9, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Hank didn’t write Lovesick Blues. It was written the year before he was born. But he did turn it into a country classic.
Joey Gooch
January 5, 2018 at 3:32 pm
Long gone Daddy
Robert
January 5, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Men with broeken hearts
Coleen Carter
January 5, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Too hard to choose, I think So lonesome I could cry
Mike Andersen
January 5, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Your Cheating’ Heart
Bert
January 6, 2018 at 1:56 am
This is not easy grew up on Hanks music and still remember that day he passed away the song I loved the most was You Win Again
John
January 7, 2018 at 1:11 am
Log Train
Chuck
January 10, 2018 at 3:13 pm
I saw the Light should be number one…
Paul Carpenter
January 10, 2018 at 6:35 pm
“Someday you’ll call my name” is, probably the most poignant song ever. I can’t think of any other song that is full of so much heartache.
Harvey
January 10, 2018 at 7:42 pm
I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You
Neal Savage
January 11, 2018 at 1:13 am
Won’t You Sometimes Think Of Me. May You Never Be Alone Like Me. I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You.
Sherry R hodes
January 11, 2018 at 7:04 pm
All of them
Jerry Holler
January 11, 2018 at 7:16 pm
I’m so lonesome I could cry
Patsy Halliwill
January 11, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Hey,Hey Good Looking!
We used to sing it to our neighbor man.
I loved all his songs. He was the best singer of Country Music ever. George Strait reminds me a lot of him.
Beth
January 11, 2018 at 9:59 pm
Too many to pick from but I’ll go with “I’m so Tired of it All”
Darrell Riggs
January 12, 2018 at 12:20 am
Crazy Heart
TOM PORTESY
January 12, 2018 at 12:24 am
LONG GONE LONESOME BLUES ARE YOU KIDDING THE BEAT
Dan Tannehill
January 12, 2018 at 2:45 am
“With Tears in My Eyes”, “Crazy Heart”, “Weary Blues From Waitin'”. There are so many truly awesome Hank songs that it’s impossible to nail down a top 10. Good choices in the list and in the comments.
Dan Tannehill
January 12, 2018 at 2:48 am
Oh, and the list skipped over the Luke the Drifter songs, so here’s a few to whet your appetite….. “A Picture From Life’s Other Side” “The Funeral”, “Be Careful of Stones That You Throw” and Hank’s favorite, “Angel of Death”
Lyman L. Krimmel
January 12, 2018 at 4:04 am
I’m so lonesome I could cry! The most perfect song written by anyone and Hank Williams wrote it!
Susan
January 12, 2018 at 6:05 am
Definitely Classic Hank:
1. Your Cheatin’ Heart
2. I Saw The Light
3. Lovesick Blues
Lloyd
January 28, 2018 at 7:12 pm
1 should be Your Cheating Heart
Ylviz
January 28, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Ramblin’ man
Doyle
January 28, 2018 at 9:10 pm
I can’t help it..
Clarence Hurst
January 28, 2018 at 9:51 pm
I saw the light, man,manison on the hill, I cant help it , your cheating heart, you win again ,most all of his.
Jerry Shaw
January 28, 2018 at 10:41 pm
Ramblin’ Man, IMO, is one of the greatest country songs by anybody. Not only was Hank one of the greatest C&W singers ever, he was also one of best singers of the Blues.
judyhauk
January 28, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Ialways loved this song.
Roger lamo
January 28, 2018 at 11:04 pm
!. You Win Again 2. Tie between all the rest!
Mickey
January 28, 2018 at 11:41 pm
No 1 Your Cheating Heart The best country song ever written!
LOUIS
September 3, 2018 at 7:43 pm
SO SO TRUE.
Mickey Jordan
January 28, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Hank wrote songs of his feelings . Jr. grandfather, Mr Sheppard told me he would sit at the kitchen table and the songs would pour out. He would ask for a paper bag and scribble all the words down. One of the greatest if not the greatest songwriter’s of country Music of all time.
Peter
January 29, 2018 at 12:32 am
My Heart Would Know
Susan Hunt
January 29, 2018 at 2:18 am
I’m So Lonesome I could cry.
Lottie
January 29, 2018 at 3:17 am
I love all Hank’s music, but these are my favorites.
1. Your Cheatin’ Heart
2. I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You
3. Jambalaya
Jerry
January 29, 2018 at 4:04 am
Your Cheatin’ Heart
craig
January 29, 2018 at 4:45 am
I Saw The Light
Barbara Hatfield
January 29, 2018 at 8:10 pm
One of my favorites and hasn’t been mentioned at all is Wedding Bells are ring in the chapel. A tear jerk error for sure. There is not a Hank Williams song that I don’t love. I was six when he died but I remember it so well. I felt as if part of me had died. My parents and Grandparents listened to him all the time so I knew most or all of his songs. A great song writer. We lost the best.
terry
January 29, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Love them all, but my personal favorite is “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight.” When I was a little kid, and my father would play Hank’s Greatest Hits (he especially liked “Kaliga”), I always wondered about “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and the strange ways of adults. What could it mean “You’ll walk the floor the way I do…”?
Paula Hogue
January 29, 2018 at 10:51 pm
I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You
Brigitte Martino
January 30, 2018 at 12:50 am
I’m sorry for you, my friend
Larry
January 30, 2018 at 2:11 am
Crazy Heart
Kaw Liga
January 30, 2018 at 2:37 am
Why Don’t You Love Me, Jambalaya, and Long Gone Lonesome Blue
Mickey Chalfan
January 30, 2018 at 2:39 am
Trying to pick out 10 or 20 songs from the many songs Hank Williams wrote and recorded over his short career, would be like looking through millions upon millions of every rose known to man, of every color, shade, hue, would be a task that would be almost totally impossible. Hank Williams had the ability to put into words what the common man was thinking, and tell the story of the pain of heartbreak. His words, his songs, his music will never be outdated, they will still mean as much as they did when Hank stood on stage 0r in a recording studio and recorded it for the first time, In closing may I say, What a genius Hank Williams was and what a legacy he left on January 1, 1953
Larry M Claqrk
January 30, 2018 at 5:11 am
I love “HOUSE OF GOLD”. I usually close shows with it. I sang it at my Sister’s Memorial Service, <3
Jim
January 30, 2018 at 6:41 pm
1. Cold, Cold Heart
2. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
3. You Win Again
4. You’re Cheating Heart
5. Mansion On The Hill
6. Dear John
7. Wealth Won’t Save Your Soul
8. My Son Calls Another Man Daddy
9. Kaw-Liga
10. Move It On Over
James Singer
January 30, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Jambalaya is my Favorite. I also have most of Hank Williams songs,
Kermit L Collins
January 30, 2018 at 9:09 pm
I have been listening to Hank Williams Sr. since I was a small boy. The top selling song wasen’t listed. Your Cheatin Heart sold more copies than any other one and I think I read somewhere that He wrote over 725 songs that were published. Most of these songs that were recorded by various artist’s. I’m an Ex Disk Jockey and I think at my age of 82. I should have learned a thing or two about Country Music. I think I have most all of the ones that He recorded. Still was known as probably the most famous song writer of all time. I would have to agree with that for now.
Doris Jacobs-Covington
January 30, 2018 at 10:38 pm
I met Hank Williams when he appeared at my hometown with the Hadacol Caravan . I loved all his music. He was, by far, the greatest songwriter in Country Music. My favorite of all his songs has always been “They’ll Never Take Her Love From Me.” …..”I’m so thankful for each golden hour of happiness……that we shared together in the used to be…..Someone else’s arms may hold her now in fond caress ……but they’ll never ever take her love from me.” Soooo beautiful……he was a poet!!
Jens
January 31, 2018 at 7:21 am
RAMBLIN MAN .
don savage
January 31, 2018 at 10:47 am
First heard the name Hank Williams in 1951 on American Forces Network. He was singing Wedding Bells. Bought the record and still have it. Collected lots more since.
Carol
January 31, 2018 at 2:57 pm
I loved them all. I am torn between Cold Cold Heart, and You Win Again! Have been a Hank Williams fan since before country music was what it is today!
Carol Cantin
January 31, 2018 at 2:59 pm
I loved them all. I am torn between Cold Cold Heart, and You Win Again! Have been a Hank Williams fan since before country music was what it is today!
Dale Roach
January 31, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Ijoyed them all and remember a lot of them on Oprey
Dale Roach
January 31, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Ijoyed them all and remember a lot of them on Oprey
carolyn
February 9, 2018 at 11:49 pm
“I’m So Lonesome I could Cry”
Wally Summers
February 10, 2018 at 4:09 am
Angle of Death
Wally Summers
February 10, 2018 at 4:10 am
It’s the truth!
Peter
February 10, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Lost Highway, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Jambalaya, Settin The Woods On Fire
dimitris
January 4, 2019 at 9:14 pm
long gone lonesome blues
lost highway
move it on over
Justin Rasco
January 5, 2019 at 2:09 am
Kawliga
David Moseley
January 5, 2019 at 5:19 am
Kowaliga!!
Hunter Lee
January 12, 2019 at 8:03 pm
Hey Good Looking
I Saw the Light
Jambalaya
Larry P Boutilier
January 13, 2019 at 1:16 am
My favourite is ….Why should we try anymore……Just because of the raw poetry.My favourite songwriter of all time.
Joe Kmiec
March 4, 2023 at 12:45 pm
“A single tear holds all the pain that sorrow knows”.
If that line does not sum up the human condition what does?
It is from “A tear drop on a rose by Hank Williams.