Song Review – Hank Williams Jr. “Are You Ready For The Country”
Bocephus is back baby, and be ready for him to take the world by storm through a mess of wild gesticulating hand gestures and name dropping himself in his own songs.
Ahead of a comeback album called It’s About Time scheduled for release on January 15th, 2016 through Scott Borchetta’s NASH Icon label, Hank Williams Jr. has issued a rendition of the oft-covered “Are You Ready For The Country,” originally penned by Neil Young, and covered by Waylon Jennings some years later.
“Are You Ready For The Country” appeared on Neil Young’s blockbuster Harvest album that went on to become the best selling record in 1972. However this particular track was considered an afterthought at best, and a joke song by some. Neil Young bangs on a piano while the Stray Gators sloppily follow along, and the warmup banter is left dangling on the front of the master. It was recorded in Neil Young’s barn, but in 1972, especially with David Crosby and Graham Nash singing backup, Young could have shit on a shingle and people would have loved it.
Same could be said for Waylon Jennings circa 1976 when he took the song and made it the title track of an album by molding the melody into a punching, driving back beat, while changing up some of the lyrics to take it from an ambiguous, possibility veiled political song into a ballad of self-affirmation—perfect for the sensibilities of Bocephus.
Joining Jr. on the track is Eric Church, who also joined Jr. on the stage during the 2015 CMA Awards for the track’s world debut. Also on the stage that night was Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three, and apparently The Church Sisters who recently signed a development deal with Big Machine. The performance was a Big Machine stage party apparently, though The Church Sisters were much overshadowed by the troika of boisterous Gospel singers—the texture that links the Bocephus version of this song to Waylon’s.
“Are You Ready For The Country” version 3.0 is fine I guess. It’s fair to question whether there was any tread left on the song’s tires to begin with, and they may have started as budget 2-plys out of the showroom. The groove that Waylon found seems to elude Hank Jr. in lieu of a more boisterous and punchy production, and the rustic nature of Neil’s original is completely left behind. It’s fetching to hear fiddle to start off the song, but almost immediately you have Zildjian overhead ringing in your ears assuring you this listening experience will be just as much rock as country, and there will be more shouting than singing. “Understated” and “subtle” are things Hank Jr. has never had much time for.
While listening, you all of a sudden realize that the point of Hank Jr. covering this song is to extend a theme begun earlier in his career. First you had “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down,” which evolved into “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,” and then morphed into the “Are You Ready For Some Football?” Monday Night Football theme, to now Bocephus shouting “Are You Ready For The Country?” after being shit canned from the TV gig (or quitting, depending on who you believe). I half expected Al Michaels to take it away at the end. “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down” really hit on something. Now all that’s left is bluster.
No major complaints here though. It’s harmless. Hank Jr. does put a lot of heart into his songs and performances, even if it sometimes feels a little artificial. It’s not something that will get you too excited for what he has in store for the new record, but not something that makes you lose faith either.
Terrible lyric video though.
November 6, 2015 @ 11:33 am
1: That fedora looks awful on him.
2: About as much as I expected from Hank Jr.
3: Am I the only one who finds it annoying that 80% of his songs are all about how he’s Hank Jr./Bocephus and that Hank Williams was his father?
November 6, 2015 @ 1:01 pm
I thought I was the only one. Give the “my daddy” thing a rest, Randall.
November 6, 2015 @ 11:51 am
And lets not forget that Shooter’s “Let’s Put the O Back in Country” is basically just a re-write of this song…
November 6, 2015 @ 11:58 am
I’ll take the Kelsey Waldon version over this, by a mile.
November 6, 2015 @ 12:27 pm
By the way, it looks like Kelsey Waldon is working on new music.
https://instagram.com/p/9W-wzvNEjT/
Great news.
November 6, 2015 @ 12:22 pm
When SCM first reported the re-recording of AYRFTC, I rolled my eyes. But, I found Jr.’s spirited rendition at the CMAs, like you stated, harmless.
Good point RD about Shooters retread. My favorite Waylon version of AYRFTC is included on Waylon Forever (the final recordings collection).
November 6, 2015 @ 12:47 pm
Hank Jr. and the Chief definitely do the song justice. The best version/performance of it though has to be Waylon and the Waylors in the late 70s on The Lost Outlaw Performance.
November 6, 2015 @ 2:15 pm
There’s some really good live version from Waylon of this song.
November 7, 2015 @ 5:12 am
I saw Waylon perform on his last birthday, he sang the hell out of this song, with Carter singing
harmony. It was unforgettable.
November 6, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
Texas based artist Jon Wolfe used to open with this song at every show a few years ago. It worked perfectly in that setting with his strong voice and four piece band.
This version, I don’t think it works as well. There seems to be too much going on for my taste.
November 6, 2015 @ 1:40 pm
No disrespect to Hank Jr., but once Waylon sang a song there was never a reason for anyone else to cover it. It was done!
November 6, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
Here’s an excellent Gary Allan cover of a Waylon song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5333yb6Mmlc
November 7, 2015 @ 2:08 pm
I love that song. I had no idea that it was a Waylon song. I’ll have to check out the original.
November 7, 2015 @ 4:10 pm
I believe that it was an Allman Brothers song before that, Wiki attributes the writing of it just to “Allman”, the Allman website says that Gregg wrote it.
November 9, 2015 @ 9:54 am
that entire album (the Eagle) was loaded. Waylon had a nice run once he got away from MCA and eventually back to RCA, to bad country radio missed most of it. The Eagle placed #6 on country charts. His single, “Wrong” stalled at #2 as I believe it got stuck behind Garth’s “the Dance” or “friends in low places” cant remember which. “Where corn don’t grow” was covered by Travis Tritt in about as much of a knock off cover as could be made, Gary Allen did his version of “her man”…. several other solid solid cuts on that offering. Great CD.
November 6, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
Here, here, ol buddy.
November 6, 2015 @ 2:29 pm
Hank Jr and Eric Church’s version seems far too loud and over produced to my ears. I would like to share Mark Chesnutt’s version here, as I think that one is of better quality than this noise. It’s impossible to top or even think you could supplant Waylon Jennings version. Chesnutt’s version here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R3soOG_dCUU
November 6, 2015 @ 3:28 pm
I really like this song and this Hank Jr and Eric Church version is awesome too. 2 guns up indeed!
November 6, 2015 @ 4:52 pm
I think its a decent cover its defintley not the pressures on but I didn’t expect it to be…….. Lots of folks like to bash Hank Jr. That’s fine but the man has sold 70 million plus albums and has built a career that has little to nothing to do with Hank Sr. He is still big enough to fill ampetheaters and be on the cmas I ask only one question hes been touring since 1958 and recording since 1964 who in the hell else has that kind of drawing power today in 2015 that’s been going as long as Hank
November 6, 2015 @ 5:16 pm
Sweet baby satan this is some very bad shit. Shit as in shit that is. Pure zebracum. This is pain ffs. This is pure evil. Why Trigger don’t rate this with the garbage that is garbage I don’t understand. This is way worse than a hipster dude cover of a Taylor S album.
November 6, 2015 @ 5:50 pm
It’s not a bad version, just not my thing. The think wuth Hank Jr. Is that with few exceptions I don’t care for his covers. Love his original stuff but not his covers.
November 7, 2015 @ 10:53 am
I love his version of “Come And Go Blues”. I could never choose between his version and the Allmans’ if I had to.
November 7, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
I’ll second that. I also love his version of “footlights”
November 8, 2015 @ 2:46 am
Just listened, love it.
November 6, 2015 @ 6:06 pm
Seems strange to me that the Borchetta–Hank team think that the way to achieve success for him is to launch the comeback with a cover of a very familiar cover of a very familiar song.
My personal opinion is that if they came up with a great new song that fits him, and he puts his all into it, he might have a shot.
I don’t believe this one will go anywhere–unless Eric Church is so big now that he carries it.
November 6, 2015 @ 6:31 pm
I agree. I think Hank needed to come out of the gates with a track that would really make people stand up and take notice. Your point on the redundancy of the song is well taken (Trigger made the same point in a different way) and it is a real misstep. I want the album to be good but I am not optimistic, despite being a big Hank Jr. fan. I don’t think he has had a really good album since Montana Cafe or so. That is almost 30 years ago and he has churned out a lot of mediocrity since. I would love to see a long over due return to form but if this song is any indication, this album will not be it. I hope I am wrong.
November 7, 2015 @ 2:28 am
I think Hank Jr. has put out some good after Montana Café. Hey, I’m a moderate. on Mediaite and Media Matters, they think I’m a right wing troll. And conservative die-hards–and some Hank Jr. loyalists–think I’m a commie. But I actually enjoyed “Born to Boogie” and even “If the South Woulda Won.” I thought the obvious humor excused whatever offensiveness might have been there and the songs had a good sound.
But like you, I’m not enthralled with his more recent output and this single does not make me enthusiastic over whatever’s coming next.
November 7, 2015 @ 12:01 am
I think if hank jr wrote a new he stopped loving her today that totally shell shocked the country music world you woul figure out a way to down grade it and him I think you have a agenda against him….
November 6, 2015 @ 6:51 pm
I hate how people bash Hank. He has more talent then 95% of the people in the music world today! To those who hate him referencing his dad, put yourself in his unique position. Imagine what this man has been through! This album will debut in the top 10, probably top 5! Name another 66 year old that can do that!
November 6, 2015 @ 7:01 pm
Actually, I’d expect it to be #1 or #2. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard just had a #1 record and Willie’s over 80.
November 7, 2015 @ 2:38 am
Hey, Jimmy Fortune just had a top-10 album!
We need a better shorthand yardstick for assessing the success of albums than the single-week chart peak. Just as an example, I’ve actually seen “Spend My Time” describe as Clint Black’s “most successful” album since “No Time to Kill”–because it peaked at #3 on the Billboard chart. Of course it died immediately afterward. Black had three other mid-late-’90s peaked lower in the top-10 but were very successful and went gold or platinum
November 7, 2015 @ 6:24 am
Are you really comparing Clint Black to Hank Williams Jr?
November 7, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
Heres a yard stick for you cousin, Hank still selling out the same big venues with his roadshow as hes been doing for decades and he sells the shit out of his merch out on the road…. the same road hes been on since 1958…..
November 6, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
Too bad he doesn’t use that talent when making albums these days.
November 7, 2015 @ 6:23 am
Have you heard this album yet? I didn’t think so! So how do you know it’s not good? Go listen to Almeria Club and tell me he doesn’t make good albums anymore!
November 6, 2015 @ 8:34 pm
I don’t mind Hank, Jr’s. remake of this song, but Waylon’s version is still my favorite. Occasionally, I get in the mood for it and play it on You Tube. Same way with Waylon’s version of Can’t You See. Besides Waylon voice and sound, he had a secret weapon that made “Are You Ready For The Country” and “Can’t You See” stand out from the crowd. And, that was Jesse Colter singing backup.
November 6, 2015 @ 8:57 pm
It’s not bad, but it just doesn’t feel right. Too much stuff going on all at once. Needs to be toned down some.
November 7, 2015 @ 9:18 am
I’m going to support Hank Jr as long as he lives just to be contrary because the lefties can’t stand him. His being multi-talented just makes it easier, even if he doesn’t always live up to his potential.
November 7, 2015 @ 11:24 am
That was the worst video I think I’ve ever seen.
November 8, 2015 @ 8:38 am
“It was recorded in Neil Young”™s barn, but in 1972, especially with David Crosby and Graham Nash singing backup, Young could have shit on a shingle and people would have loved it.”
LOL LOL …so DEAD on true Trigger . Neil’s been getting away with cranking out half-baked music for years …too much product and too little filtering , in my opinion . I ‘ve always seen him as the’ King of the Buskers’ and the reason his songs got such exposure is that they were easy enough to remember and to play for someone on the street with an open guitar case .AND if you missed a few chords or a few lyrics , it still sounded like ol Neil .Not saying he hasn’t put out some nice things….bu hell ….hasn’t ANYONE who’s unleashed 300 albums to the masses??
All of the great music and bands Canada is responsible for and Shania and Neil Young are the household words ???? What a world ………..
November 8, 2015 @ 8:53 am
Hey, I can’t stand Neil Young, and I love him at the same time. He’s put out some terrible music over the years, but he’s also put out some amazing songs that have completely shaped musical culture in North America. “Heart of Gold” is amazing, even if Clear Channel ran it into the ground for 40 years. “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” is an amazing record.
November 9, 2015 @ 8:59 am
Not saying he hasn”™t put out some nice things”¦.bu hell ”¦.hasn”™t ANYONE who”™s unleashed 300 albums to the masses??
I think that is a ridiculously hyperbolic statement. I think Neil Young’s output was quite solid between 1968 and 1980, which is a period that is four years longer than the recording career of the Beatles. For example, for the albums released during that time, Allmusic.com rates five of them at 5 stars and another 4 at 4.5 stars (fair ratings, I think). Then, he went on a genre exploring phase in the ’80s where he lost a lot of fans and the critics were not kind. He didn’t “get away” with it. I know I pretty much tuned him out to the point of not even being aware of his Ragged Glory album when it came out in 1990, which I consider his last great album (if you like Crazy Horse). Since then, he’s put out some ones that I’ve liked (e.g., Harvest Moon, Silver and Gold, Greendale, Prairie Wind, Le Noise, Psychedelic Pill) and quite a few that I have passed on.
November 9, 2015 @ 4:25 pm
Over produced, not a fan of this version. Waylon’s cover is the definitive cover if this tune!