Song written and recorded by Hank Williams, on December 21, 1950, for the MGM label, was released on February 2, 1951. The song reached number # 1 on May 12, 1951, on the lists of US Hot Country Singles.

The song was included in the first album of Hank Williams after his death, Memorial Album (MGM 1953).

This is the true story, the story goes like this:

The inspiration was born in a hospital, Audrey Hank’s wife, was hospitalized, had a disease that had been fighting, had to be admitted for a few days, as the disease worsened. Hank was repentant, because these Hank had wanted to make peace with Audrey, decided to go shopping and bought a very expensive gift, and bought her a coat of mink, then picked up the children and went to the hospital, Audrey was He was very happy to see the children, but she continued to ignore Hank’s presence and did not speak to him, nor did she accept his apology.
Hank left the hospital, sad, sunken and despondent, he knew that it was the fault of what happened, that his drinking problems were deeply affecting his marriage, but he wanted to demonstrate that despite his vices, his love for her was by Above all. But it seemed to Hank that his wife was not willing to do anything to end her enmity.

Hank returned to the hospital accompanied by the family’s housekeeper, Audrey Ragland, Hank rarely drove, and that day Mrs. Regland accompanied them, as driver and nanny, once the visit was made, back from the hospital, Mrs.Ragland, I ask Hank how he had seen his wife, Hank turned his head and with sad eyes I answer him: “I have the coldest heart I have seen”. I did not say anything else during the trip, I remained silent and thoughtful.

That same night, when everyone was asleep, sat down, picked up a piece of paper and pen, and began to write their thoughts, these thoughts were ordered, creating lines of the new song was drawn from the most important relationship that Hank had known. Hank tried to cure Audrey’s anger, but it was impossible, cold cold heart, became one of Hank’s favorite songs, out of the over one hundred songs he wrote.

Some Versions

Tony Bennett 1951 (Columbia)
Louis Armstrong 1951 (Decca)
Eddy Arnold 1954 (RCA)
Gary Buck 1959 (Canatal)
Ernest Tubb 1960 (Decca)
George Jones 1960 (Mercury)
Jerry Lee Lewis 1961 (Sun Records)
Kitty Wells 1961 (Decca)
Wanda Jackson 1964 (Capitol)
Hank Williams Jr. 1964 (MGM)
Ray Price 1964 (Columbia)
Hank Thompson 1967 (Capitol)
Johnny Cash 1970 (Columbia)
Conway Twitty 1971 (MCA)
Vernon Oxford 1978 (Release Records)

and many more ……

Hank Williams – Cold, Cold Heart Lyrics
I tried so hard,my dear,to show that you’re my every dream
Yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn’t do
In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

You’ll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love, yet you’re afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain’t smart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart
Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?