About the song
Few figures loom as large in the American musical imagination as **Hank Williams**, and few songs capture the spirit of postwar optimism quite like **“Hey Good Lookin’”**. First recorded and released in 1951, this enduring classic blends lighthearted flirtation with the unmistakable twang of early **country music**, all wrapped up in the unmistakable voice of a man who, for all his worldly woes, knew exactly how to craft a tune that could make people smile.
**Hank Williams** was only in his late twenties when he recorded **“Hey Good Lookin’”**, yet he was already considered a master of songwriting. At just over two minutes long, the song is deceptively simple—built around a catchy melody, an easy shuffle rhythm, and lyrics that channel the energy of a young man looking for love (or at least a good time). But like so much of **Williams’** best work, it’s what’s beneath the surface that gives it staying power. His delivery is sly and playful, but never crass. He offers a charming proposition—“How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me?”—but it’s delivered with such sweetness and warmth that it’s easy to see why the song became an instant favorite.
Musically, **“Hey Good Lookin’”** sits at a crossroads between **country**, **honky-tonk**, and early **rockabilly**. The instrumentation is sparse but effective: steel guitar, upright bass, and acoustic strumming create a danceable groove that’s both grounded in tradition and surprisingly forward-looking. It’s no coincidence that many historians view this song as a precursor to the rock ’n’ roll explosion of the mid-1950s.
Beyond its historical importance, **“Hey Good Lookin’”** continues to resonate because it captures something universal—the simple pleasure of flirtation, the hopefulness of youth, and the joy of a melody that sticks with you. For listeners of a certain generation, it’s a reminder of jukeboxes and soda fountains, of drive-ins and Saturday night dances. And for those discovering it today, it’s a masterclass in how a great song doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs heart.
Video
Lyrics
Say hey, good lookin’ – what ya got cookin’?
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me?
Hey, sweet baby – don’t you think maybe
We can find us a brand new recipe?I got a hot rod Ford and a two dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill
There’s soda pop and the dancing’s free
So if you wanna have fun, come along with meSay hey, good lookin’ – what ya got cookin’?
How’s about cooking somethin’ up with me?[Steel Guitar Solo]
[Fiddle Solo]
[Steel Guitar Solo]I’m free and ready, so we can go steady
How’s about savin’ all your time for me?
No more lookin’, I know I been tooken
How’s about keepin’ steady company?
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