Family Tradition (Hank Williams, Jr. song)

"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 and title track from his album of the same name. It peaked at No. 4, and is one of his most popular songs. It has sold 895,000 digital copies as of February 2016.^[1]

Content

The song is a Williams' statement of rebellion, not only in his lifestyle and living out the lyrics of his songs, but of his musical identity and direction.

With the latter point, the lyrics state Williams' unapologetic desire to forge his own style, particularly in response to criticism for his change from countrypolitan and covers of his father's songs. At the same time proclaiming how proud and honored he is to be part of his father's musical legacy, the younger Williams makes clear that his musical style – southern rock fused with honky tonk – is very different from the blues-oriented honky-tonk popular during Williams' lifetime.

Taking off on the point of his father, the younger Williams notes that the hard-living lifestyle is a "family tradition," referring to the alcohol and drug use that became associated with his personal life.

Charlie Daniels performs the fiddle-led bridge between the second and third verses.^[2]

When played in concert, at parties, or sung at karaoke, "Family Tradition" frequently becomes a call-and-response song during the chorus. One typical example:

"Why do you drink?"
"TO GET DRUNK!"
"And why do you roll smokes?"
"TO GET STONED!"
"Why must you live out/the songs that you wrote?"
"TO GET LAID!"

Political usage

For the 2008 US presidential campaign, Williams wrote a version of the song called "McCain-Palin Tradition" which included a line suggesting that Barack Obama had "terrorist friends."^[3]

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

Certifications


Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)^[4]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^{^}shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

↑ Bjorke, Matt (February 16, 2016). "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: February 16, 2016".
↑
↑ Hank Williams, Jr. says Obama doesn't like the National Anthem
↑ "American single certifications – Hank Williams, Jr. – Family Tradition". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 31, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

Allmusic

Hank Williams, Jr.

Studio albums	Your Cheatin' Heart Connie Francis and Hank Williams, Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites Ballads of the Hills and Plains Blues My Name A Time to Sing Songs My Father Left Me Luke the Drifter, Jr. Vol. 2 Live at Cobo Hall After You, Pride's Not Hard to Swallow Hank Williams, Jr. and Friends Family Tradition Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound Habits Old and New Rowdy The Pressure Is On High Notes Strong Stuff Man of Steel Major Moves Five-O Montana Cafe Hank Live Born to Boogie Wild Streak Lone Wolf Pure Hank Maverick Out of Left Field Hog Wild A.K.A. Wham Bam Sam Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts Stormy The Almeria Club Recordings I'm One of You 127 Rose Avenue It's About Time

Compilation albums	Greatest Hits Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits Vol. II Fourteen Greatest Hits Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 America (The Way I See It) The Best of Hank Williams, Jr. Volume One: Roots and Branches Tribute to My Father 20 Hits Special Collection, Vol. 1 Early Years, Vol. 1 Early Years, Vol. 2 The Bocephus Box That's How They Do It in Dixie: The Essential Collection

Notable singles	"Long Gone Lonesome Blues" "Nobody's Child" "All for the Love of Sunshine" "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" (with Lois Johnson) "Eleven Roses" "Rainy Night in Georgia" "I'll Think of Something" "I Fought the Law" "To Love Somebody" "Family Tradition" "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" "Women I've Never Had" "Kaw-Liga" "Old Habits" "Texas Women" "Dixie on My Mind" "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)" "A Country Boy Can Survive" "Honky Tonkin'" "The American Dream" "Gonna Go Huntin' Tonight" "Leave Them Boys Alone" (with Ernest Tubb and Waylon Jennings) "Queen of My Heart" "Man of Steel" "Attitude Adjustment" "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" "Major Moves" "I'm for Love" "This Ain't Dallas" "Ain't Misbehavin'" "Country State of Mind" "Mind Your Own Business" (with Reba McEntire, Tom Petty, Reverend Ike and Willie Nelson) "Born to Boogie" "Heaven Can't Be Found" "Young Country" "If the South Woulda Won" "Early in the Morning and Late at Night" "There's a Tear in My Beer" (with Hank Williams Sr.) "Finders Are Keepers" "Ain't Nobody's Business" "Good Friends, Good Whiskey, Good Lovin'" "Devil in the Bottle" "Are You Ready for the Country?" (with Eric Church)

Guest singles	"The Conversation" (with Waylon Jennings) "Bartender Song (Sittin' at a Bar)" (with Rehab)

Related articles	Discography MGM Records Elektra Records Warner Bros. Records Curb Records Audrey Williams Jett Williams Hank Williams III Holly Williams Living Proof: The Hank Williams, Jr. Story

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