There are a variety of moments packed into Hank Williams’ too-brief profession when the singer and songwriter would change nation music perpetually. However the first, the one which divides the style (and American music historical past) into its pre- and post-Hank eras, came about on April 21, 1947, when Williams recorded “Move It On Over,” his debut single for MGM.
The addictive observe, which seamlessly blended a velvety Western swing with the visceral Deep South blues that shaped Williams’ musical spine, would develop into Williams’ first hit quickly after it was launched in June of that very same 12 months. Moreover bringing Williams his first style of success, the track additionally anticipated and influenced what would develop into rock and roll whereas immediately reworking the period’s “folk” sound.
Take heed to “Move It On Over” on Hank Williams’ 40 Best Hits.
“Move It On Over” has the contours of a novelty track – in spite of everything, it’s about asking one’s canine to make room after one has been despatched to the proverbial doghouse. Apocryphally, although, its inspiration was fairly literal: Williams’ spouse and supervisor Audrey would lock him out of the home after one too many late nights. Additionally apocryphal is the oft-told story that this was the track that made Fred Rose, prolific songwriter and co-founder of Acuff-Rose publishing, promote Williams from his publishing contract to a bona fide document deal.
The recording
Much less mythic are the track’s musical sources, which stretch again to the daybreak of the recorded blues. The precise melody Williams makes use of over a basic 12-bar blues kind has its roots in “one of the first hits in recorded Black music,” as critic and historian David Hajdu describes it in his e-book Love For Sale. That hit was “Jim Jackson’s Kansas City Blues,” recorded by Jim Jackson in 1927. It could be reworked by blues pioneer Charley Patton into “Going To Move To Alabama” in 1929 after which ten years later by bandleader and composer Rely Basie into “Your Red Wagon” earlier than Williams discovered success together with his personal interpretation — which gleaned only a trace of the Basie take’s cosmopolitan slickness to shine up its decidedly relatable lyrics and Williams’ bluesy inflection.
The graceful sound got here courtesy of Pink Foley’s backing band, who had been introduced into Williams’ first session for the label after his personal band proved to be somewhat extra prepared for a roadhouse than that period’s Nashville recording studios. The ensuing single, nonetheless hanging a long time later, is impeccable in nearly each regard, from its tempo – someway rollicking and sultry directly – to its big-band-inspired name and response, to its jazzy guitar solo and pedal metal filigree, to – after all – Williams’ easy swing with a barely detectable pressure of blue yodel.
The reception
“Move It On Over” was a near-instant hit, reportedly promoting over 100,000 copies inside just a few months. It solely reached No. 4 on Billboard’s nation chart (then referred to as “Most Played Jukebox Folk Records”), however its success was sufficient to carry Williams each his first press and his first substantive paychecks: he quickly put a down cost on a home, purchased himself a automobile and his spouse her first fur coat. It was the primary track he performed when he joined the Louisiana Hayride in 1948, and remained his signature hit till he recorded “Lovesick Blues” in 1949.
The track has been recorded quite a few occasions (notably just a few a long time later by George Thorogood and the Destroyers) however its actual legacy might be in 1955 single “Rock Around The Clock” – the primary mainstream rock track, through which Invoice Haley & His Comets retooled that very same arpeggiated blues melody that Williams used to such nice impact right here.
Take heed to “Move It On Over” on Hank Williams’ 40 Best Hits.
