Song Information:
Title: Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
Artist: Waylon Jennings
Writer: Waylon Jennings
Album: Dreaming My Dreams
Release Date: August 1975
Genre: Outlaw Country
Label: RCA Victor
Producer: Jack Clement
This song served as the opening track on Jennings’ Dreaming My Dreams album and became one of his most iconic recordings. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and helped solidify the outlaw country movement in the 1970s.
Song Summary:
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way is a bold, introspective anthem that critiques the glitz and commercialization of the country music industry in the 1970s. Waylon Jennings delivers a raw, stripped-down sound that echoes his discontent with how country music had evolved. With references to rhinestone suits, tour buses, and record executives, Jennings questions whether this path aligns with the spirit of Hank Williams — a pioneer who represented grit, authenticity, and storytelling from the heart.
The lyrics are simple but powerful. Jennings sings not just about the music, but about integrity and identity. While the title poses a question, it also acts as a challenge to the industry: Are we staying true to our roots, or have we sold out for fame and glitter?
Musically, the song is driven by a steady drum beat and sparse instrumentation that accentuates Waylon’s gravelly voice and rebellious attitude. It became a rallying cry for the outlaw movement and an enduring critique of Nashville’s polished sound.
Explaining the Central Question:
The question “Are you sure Hank done it this way?” is more than just a rhetorical jab — it reflects a deep existential concern about authenticity in country music. Waylon Jennings, as a key figure in the outlaw country scene, was known for rejecting the heavily produced, formulaic sound coming out of Nashville. Instead, he sought inspiration in artists like Hank Williams, who embodied raw emotion and real-life storytelling.
By invoking Hank’s name, Jennings isn’t merely idolizing the past; he’s using it as a benchmark for honesty and artistic purity. He contrasts that ideal with the flashy showbiz lifestyle that many artists were embracing — from custom buses to rhinestone suits. The subtext is clear: country music has become more about spectacle than soul.
Jennings was one of the few who had the credibility to ask this question — and he did it without compromise. In doing so, he challenged both the industry and his peers to reflect on what country music should be. Decades later, the song still resonates, especially for those disillusioned by commercialism in music. It’s a timeless reminder that sometimes, the boldest statement comes in the form of a simple, honest question.
Watch the Video:
🎬 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xkqpj5D1fg
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 to change
Somebody told me when I came to Nashville
Son you finally got it made
Old Hank made it here, we’re all sure that you will
But I don’t think Hank done it this way, no
I don’t think Hank done it this way, okay
Ten years on the road, making one night stand
Speeding 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, one of his now and then
But I don’t think Hank done ’em this way, no
I don’t think Hank done ’em this way, take it home