About the song
Hank Williams: The King of Country Music and His Enduring Hit, “Settin’ the Woods on Fire”
In the realm of country music, few names hold the same legendary status as Hank Williams. With his rich baritone voice, heartfelt lyrics, and unparalleled songwriting prowess, Williams captivated audiences worldwide and left an indelible mark on the genre. Among his vast repertoire of timeless classics, “Settin’ the Woods on Fire” stands out as a beacon of his artistry, a testament to his ability to weave tales of love, loss, and the human condition with raw emotion and enduring resonance.
Released in 1952, “Settin’ the Woods on Fire” quickly ignited the country music charts, reaching number two on both the Billboard Most Played by Jockeys and National Best Sellers charts. Its fiery title and Williams’s impassioned vocals hinted at a tale of burning passion and unrequited love, drawing listeners in with its irresistible allure.
The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love so intense, so all-consuming, that it threatens to set the very world ablaze. The narrator, consumed by his affections, declares, “I’m settin’ the woods on fire, honey, just to show that I care.” His desperation and longing are palpable, his emotions laid bare for all to hear.
Yet, beneath the surface of this fiery passion lies a deeper yearning, a recognition that his love may not be reciprocated. The narrator acknowledges the potential consequences of his actions, singing, “I know I’m gonna get burned, but I’m gonna have some fun first.” This bittersweet acceptance adds a layer of poignancy to the song, underscoring the narrator’s willingness to risk heartbreak in pursuit of love’s fleeting joys.
Williams’s masterful delivery further elevates the song’s emotional impact. His voice, imbued with a blend of tenderness and grit, perfectly conveys the narrator’s conflicting emotions – the fiery passion, the underlying vulnerability, and the bittersweet acceptance of his fate. The song’s instrumentation, featuring a driving guitar melody and a steady drumbeat, complements Williams’s vocals, creating a backdrop that both intensifies the emotions and provides a sense of forward momentum.
“Settin’ the Woods on Fire” has become an enduring anthem of love’s extremes, a testament to the power of music to capture the complexities of human emotion. Williams’s passionate vocals and evocative lyrics continue to resonate with listeners generations after the song’s release, solidifying its place as one of country music’s most beloved and enduring classics.
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Lyrics
“Settin’ The Woods On Fire”
Comb your hair and paint and powder
You act proud and I’ll act prouder
You sing loud and I’ll sing louder
Tonight we’re settin’ the woods on fireYou’re my gal and I’m your feller
Dress up in your frock of yeller
I’ll look swell but you’ll look sweller
Settin’ the woods on fireWe’ll take in all the honky tonks
Tonight we’re havin’ fun
We’ll show the folks a brand new dance
That never has been doneI don’t care who thinks we’re silly
You’ll be daffy and I’ll be dilly
We’ll order up two bowls of chili
Settin’ the woods on fireI’ll gas up my hot rod stoker
We’ll get hotter than a poker
You’ll be broke but I’ll be broker
Tonight we’re settin’ the woods on fireWe’ll sit close to one another
Up one street and down the other
We’ll have a time oh brother
Settin’ the woods on fireWe’ll put aside a little time
To fix a flat or two
My tires and tubes are doin’ fine
But the air is showin’ throughYou clap hands and I’ll start bowin’
We’ll do all the laws allowin’
Tomorrow I’ll be right back plowin’
Settin’ the woods on fire