New Orleans
BONDS GARY U.S. Lyrics

The lyrics of "New Orleans" by Gary U.S. Bonds are a celebration of the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the city of New Orleans. The opening lines "hey, hey, hey" are a musical invitation to come along on a journey down the Mississippi River to the fabled city of New Orleans. The song captures the languid, sultry atmosphere of the city, where love is always blooming and the honeysuckle vine is omnipresent. The lyrics evoke the beautiful magnolia blossoms and hanging birch moss that add to the magic of the city. The song also pays tribute to the Dixieland music scene, with its distinctive rhythms and horn section, that is so central to the culture of New Orleans.

"New Orleans" is not just a song, it is a window into a time and place in American history. The song was released in 1960 when segregation was still a fact of life across much of the country. In the lyrics, Bonds sings of "southern belles" and "Mississippi Queens," which were common euphemisms for white women in the South. The song, therefore, reflects a certain nostalgia for a bygone era of Southern charm and cultural distinctiveness, while also eliding the darker aspects of that time, such as segregation and racial inequality. Nonetheless, the song is a testament to the enduring appeal of New Orleans, a unique city that has captured the imagination of musicians and artists for generations.