About the Song
When Waylon Jennings released “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” in 1975, it wasn’t just another country song—it was a statement, a challenge, and a declaration of independence. Tired of Nashville’s glossy machine and cookie-cutter image, Waylon took a long, hard look at what the industry had become—and dared to ask if the legends before him would have played along.
Built around a gritty, minimalist rhythm and Waylon’s unmistakable baritone, the song begins like a conversation and slowly burns into a rebellion. “It’s the same old tune, fiddle and guitar / Where do we take it from here?” From the very first line, Jennings sets the tone: country music had lost its soul, and he wasn’t afraid to say it.
The song’s title—and its central question—refers to Hank Williams Sr., the hillbilly Shakespeare whose raw, emotional music defined the genre’s early years. By asking “Are you sure Hank done it this way?”, Waylon isn’t criticizing Hank—he’s calling out the industry that claimed to honor Hank’s legacy while moving further from its roots.
Musically, the track is raw and stripped down, with a steady beat and distorted guitar that feel more rock & roll than Grand Ole Opry. And that’s exactly the point. Jennings, along with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and others, was at the forefront of the Outlaw Country movement, pushing back against overproduced studio sounds and demanding artistic freedom.
“Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” became an anthem—not just for musicians who wanted to break free from Music Row’s control, but for fans who craved authenticity. It was a reminder that country music was born from hardship, storytelling, and truth—not rhinestones, TV specials, and record label polish.
Decades later, the song still resonates. Artists from Clint Black to Uncle Tupelo to Alabama have covered it, and its message continues to echo in the voices of every independent artist who chooses heart over hype.
At its core, Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” isn’t just a song. It’s a manifesto. And it reminds us that sometimes, the most country thing you can do—is go your own way.