Mind Your Own Business (song)


"Mind Your Own Business" is a 1949 song written and originally performed by Hank Williams.

Background

"Mind Your Own Business" was recorded on March 2, 1949, at Castle Studio in Nashville. During the same session, Williams also recorded "You're Gonna Change ", "My Son Calls Another Man Daddy", and "Honky Tonk Blues". He is backed by Dale Potter, Don Davis, Zeke Turner, Clyde Baum, Jack Shook, and probably Ernie Newton.

Content

In the song, the narrator admonishes a local busybody for snooping and gossiping. While the delivery is light and breezy, the song's lyrics were likely inspired by the singer's own tempestuous relationship with wife Audrey Williams and the buzz it created. The opening lines seem to reference this: "If the wife and I are fussin', brother that's our right/'Cause me and that sweet woman's got a licence to fight..." His delivery is measured, laconic, and dry. The day before, Hank had cut several duets with his wife Audrey, who by all accounts had limited singing talent. Introducing it in October 1949, he told his radio audience that it was a "little prophecy in song", and indeed it would prove to be.
The song is similar in tone and structure to Williams' first Billboard hit "Move It on Over", with the singer couching his moral indignation in humor, allowing the subject matter to resonate with the public. "Mind Your Own Business" went to #6 on the C&W Best Seller list where it stayed for two weeks.

Cover versions