Family Tradition (Hank Williams, Jr. song)
Encyclopedia
"Family Tradition" is a song written and recorded by American country music
artist Hank Williams, Jr.
. It was released in May 1979 as the fourth and final single from his 1978 album of the same name
. It peaked at #4, and is one of his most popular songs.
Traditionally when the song is played at parties guests will insert comments during the chorus. These are usually as follows:
"Why do you drink?"
"TO GET DRUNK!"
"And why do you roll smoke?"
"TO GET HIGH!"
"Why must you live out/the songs that you wrote?"
"TO GET LAID!"
rally, by claiming Barack Obama
didn't like the national anthem. Williams, Jr. also performed a song called "McCain-Palin Tradition" (a variation of his composition "Family Tradition"), which includes a line that mentions Obama's "radical friends".
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
. It was released in May 1979 as the fourth and final single from his 1978 album of the same name
Family Tradition (album)
Family Tradition is an album released by country music artist Hank Williams, Jr.. It was released in April 1979 by Curb Records. It peaked at #3 on the Country Albums chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA...
. It peaked at #4, and is one of his most popular songs.
Content
The song describes why Hank does what he does, from smoking to drinking and living out his songs in real life, saying that it's because it's a "Family Tradition".Traditionally when the song is played at parties guests will insert comments during the chorus. These are usually as follows:
"Why do you drink?"
"TO GET DRUNK!"
"And why do you roll smoke?"
"TO GET HIGH!"
"Why must you live out/the songs that you wrote?"
"TO GET LAID!"
Facts
On November 3, one day before the 2008 presidential election, Williams ignited controversy at a McCain-PalinJohn McCain presidential campaign, 2008
John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an unsuccessful bid to win the 2008 presidential election. His candidacy, in the works for a number of years, was informally announced on February 28, 2007 during a...
rally, by claiming Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
didn't like the national anthem. Williams, Jr. also performed a song called "McCain-Palin Tradition" (a variation of his composition "Family Tradition"), which includes a line that mentions Obama's "radical friends".
Chart performance
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 16 |