Cancel my calls for the rest of the day. I’ll be busy watching this peak-country music video over and over again.
I’ll be transparent with you (the reader)… I initially missed this collaboration from all the way back in 2015. It’s hard to believe that this video has already been around for 10 years. 2015 certainly doesn’t seem like that long ago, am I right?
That’s the beauty of music though. It can transport you back to a time, or a memory, or even a place. If you’re familiar with this Hank Williams Jr. song featuring Eric Church and you listened to it a decade ago, rewatching the music video will basically be like jumping into a time machine.
I’m jealous of you if you fall into that category.
But getting back to the nostalgic matter at hand, “Are You Ready For The Country?” was the lead single from Hank Jr.’s 2016 album It’s About Time. The song itself actually came out the year before (the album was released in January of 2016), as did the delightful music video that accompanied it.
For those wondering, “Are You Ready For The Country?” isn’t a Hank Williams Jr. original. The track was originally penned and recorded by Neil Young, and was featured on his iconic Harvest album, which he released in 1972. And Williams Jr. wasn’t even the first country music singer to cover the track. Waylon Jennings tackled the track in 1976 and his version charted in the top 10 on the country charts.
Jennings changed the verses and chorus up, and Hank and the “Chief” followed suit when it came to their cover. Neil Young’s original chorus goes like this:
“Are you ready for the country?
Because it’s time to go
Are you ready for the country?
Because it’s time to go.”
Waylon changed it up to what you see below, and his version certainly seems to fit into the persona of Hank Williams Jr. a bit better:
“Are you ready for the country?
Are you ready for me?
Are you ready for the country?
Ain’t I a sight to see?
Are you ready for the country?
Better get ready for me.”
Yeah… that’s more Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church’s speed.
Not only is the song an absolute banger, the chaotic music video is a lot of fun to watch as well. Eric and Hank are set up in a concrete structure that’s outfitted to look like they’re playing in a barn. Slowly throughout their performance, the set is removed piece by piece until the “country” they were once playing in is revealed to be what looks like a parking garage.
My favorite part is probably when Church and Hank do a role call of sorts, with Williams leaning into the microphone shouting “My name is Bocephus,” and Eric following along by saying “My name is the Chief.” It’s a small detail… but one that really stands out in the song and the music video.
This song gives off that “Finally Friday” feeling. Maybe you can put this one in your back pocket and save it for when you need a mid-week pick-me-up? I know I’m going to.
CRANK IT UP:
