 Following the success of the song , Williams was invited to appear as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry , on June 11 , 1949 . After the performance , Williams received a standing ovation . " Lovesick Blues " became his signature song , which he used to close his shows . It was also his first number one hit , and garnered Williams the stage nickname of " The Lovesick Blues Boy " . In 1949 , the singer received second billing behind Eddy Arnold on the list of the " Year 's Top Selling Folk Artists " . Williams ' version of the song was featured in the films The Last Picture Show ( 1971 ) , Forrest Gump ( 1994 ) and The Shawshank Redemption ( 1994 ) . In 2004 , " Lovesick Blues " was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress . 
