About the Song
When Hank Williams Jr. released “Family Tradition” in 1979, it wasn’t just a hit—it was a thunderous declaration of identity, defiance, and legacy. It was the moment Bocephus stopped living in the shadow of his legendary father and stepped fully into his own spotlight—with a swagger, a raised glass, and a whole lot of honesty.
By that time, Hank Jr. had already endured years of comparisons to Hank Williams Sr., the original hillbilly hero whose tragic life and poetic songs carved out the very foundation of country music. But “Family Tradition” wasn’t a tribute. It was a breakaway, a line in the sand. Over a rollicking honky-tonk beat and soaring fiddle, Hank Jr. asked the question everyone in Nashville was already whispering:
“Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?”
And with a sly grin and unapologetic tone, he answered:
“To get high, and to help me get by—if that ain’t country, I’ll kiss your…”
Well—you know the rest.
More than just a sing-along, “Family Tradition” is a deeply personal statement. It’s about wrestling with a famous last name, living up to expectations, and choosing to live life on your own terms. It’s Hank Jr. saying: Yes, I carry my father’s legacy—but I’ll do it my way. And fans loved him for it.
The song blends Southern rock energy with classic country roots, giving it crossover appeal that brought in both outlaw country die-hards and the emerging rowdy country crowd of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Its rebellious spirit aligned perfectly with the Outlaw movement, alongside Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and David Allan Coe.
To this day, “Family Tradition” is a concert favorite, a barroom anthem, and a rallying cry for anyone who refuses to be defined by someone else’s expectations. It’s part celebration, part confession, and all Hank Jr.
And while it may be filled with humor and bravado, underneath it lies something very real: the tension between honoring the past and forging your own path. In that way, Hank Williams Jr. didn’t just live up to his legacy—he redefined it.
“Family Tradition” isn’t just a song—it’s a philosophy. And for anyone who’s ever stood their ground and said, “This is who I am,” it hits home every single time.