Hank Williams Jr. - Country Boy Can Survive - 1981
This song is a big deal in country music for a whole lot of reasons. I feel it started a whole new era for Hank Jr. The album, The Pressure Is On, was a gem and this song spoke directly to the times. This became an anthem for many and still is. The country was in a deep economic recession, interesst rates were sky high, and times were extremely tough for millions of hard working Americans, and Hank made everyone know he knew that too. And even though Hank had recorded dozens of albums before this, this one was different. After this song, Hank went on a run through the 1980's and became a Mega Star and this was the springboard. This song also had a very wide appeal outside of country, as many new fans discovered Hank and us for the first time. The Urban Cowboy style of country was in vogue at the time, and this was anything but. This singular song was right on time and set country on a totally new path that others would follow. I was new in country too, and this was edgy and I liked it. This was sort of country, sort of southern rock, and became one of the most influential country songs of all time and has been referenced dozens of times in songs by future stars - still today. Fans have been requesting this song for over 40 years. Darn rare for any song. One of the quintessential country anthems of the last century.
My Full Profile On Hank Williams Jr.
