Introduction:
Loretta Lynn blessed us with an amazing cover of Hank Williamsâ classic country hit (and standard) âYour Cheatinâ Heartâ as she performed it live in an episode of The Wilburn Brothers Show. Don Helms, a steel guitarist best known for his feature performances with Hank Williams (as part of the artistâs Drifting Cowboys group), also joined in with the live band. The song was included as the fifth track in Loretta Lynnâs 1966 album I Love âEm Country.
As The Story Went
It was 1952. Country artist Hank Williams was enjoying a successful streak of hits with âHonky Tonk Blues,â âHalf as Much,â âSettinâ the Woods on Fire,â âJambalaya (On the Bayou),â and âYou Win Again.â But the success came with a struggle as Hank developed serious problems with alcohol, morphine, and pain killers just to ease his back pain. And the impact of that struggle caused his marriage with Audrey Sheppard to fall through.
Then came Billie Jean Jones. Williams met the Louisiana native backstage at the Ryman Auditorium, who was at the time still dating country music artist and producer Faron Young. When Jones and Youngâs relationship came to an end, Williams swooped in and started dating Jones. And it didnât take long for the two to talk about marriage. And one day, on their drive from Nashville to Shreveport to announce to Jonesâ family of their plans, Williams talked to her about his previous marriage and described Audrey Sheppard as a cheatinâ heart and that she one day have to pay. The conversation quickly turned into a songwriting session as Williams got inspired by the line. He had Jones take his notebook and write down the lyrics as he dictated it to her.
And the rest is history.
Watch Loretta Lynnâs âYour Cheatinâ Heartâ performance in the video below.