Shaver was raised by his mother, Victory Watson Shaver, his father Virgil having left the family before Shaver was born. Until he was 12, he spent a great deal of time with his grandmother in Corsicana so that his mother could work in Waco. He sometimes accompanied his mother to her job at a local nightclub, where he began to be exposed to country music.
Shaver's mother remarried about the time that his grandmother died, so he and his older sister Patricia moved in with their mother and new stepfather. Shaver left school after the eighth grade to help his uncles pick cotton, but occasionally returned to school to play sports.
Shaver joined the U.S. Navy on his seventeenth birthday. Upon his discharge, he worked a series of dead-end jobs, including trying to be a rodeo cowboy. About this time, he met and married Brenda Joyce Tindell. They had one son, John Edwin, known as Eddy, who was born in 1962. The two divorced and remarried several times.
Shaver took a job at a lumber mill to make ends meet. One day his right hand (his dominant hand) became caught in the machinery, and he lost the better part of two fingers and contracted a serious infection. He eventually recovered, and taught himself to play the guitar without those missing fingers.
Shaver lost two fingers in a sawmill accident when he was young.
Shaver set out to hitchhike to Los Angeles, California. He could not get a ride west, so he went to the other side of the highway and headed east, accompanying a man who dropped him off just outside Memphis, Tennessee. The next ride brought him to Nashville, where he found a job as a songwriter for $50 per week.[2] His work came to the attention of Waylon Jennings, who filled most of his album Honky Tonk Heroes with Shaver's songs. Other artists, including Elvis Presley and Kris Kristofferson, began to record Shaver's music. This led to his own record deal.
The first few recording companies he signed with soon folded. He was never able to gain widespread recognition as a singer, although he never stopped recording his own music. On his records, he has been accompanied by other major rock and country music musicians like Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Chuck Leavell and Dickey Betts (of the Allman Brothers), Charlie Daniels, Flaco Jiménez, and Al Kooper.
After losing his wife, Brenda, and his mother to cancer in 1999, Shaver lost his son and longtime guitarist Eddy, who died at age 38 of a heroin overdose on December 31, 2000. Folk country artist Todd Snider wrote and dedicated his song Waco Moon to Eddy. Shaver nearly died himself the following year when he had a heart attack on stage during an Independence Day show at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas. After successful heart surgery, Shaver came back to release Freedom's Child in 2002.
In 1999, Shaver performed at the Grand Ole Opry. In November 2005, he performed on the CMT Outlaws 2005. In 2006, Shaver was inducted in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He later served as spiritual advisor to Texas independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman. For his efforts, the Americana Music Convention awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting. He currently lives in Waco, Texas.
Bob Dylan mentioned Shaver in his song "I Feel a Change Comin' On" (Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter) on the album, Together Through Life (2009) - "I'm listening to Billy Joe Shaver, And I'm reading James Joyce". Shaver is also the "hero" of the song, "Wish I Could Write Like Billy Joe" on the album "Stormy Love" by Bugs Henderson.
Shaver sang the themes to the Adult Swim Television show, Squidbillies. The opening themes, collectively called "Warrior Man", are only a stanza long and end with a sotto voce spoken word portion.
Shaver's debut album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me (1973), contained many songs noted for being performed by other artists such as David Allan Coe and Waylon Jennings. When I Get My Wings (1976) included "Aint No God In Mexico" (also a hit for Waylon Jennings). Gypsy Boy (1977) included "Honky Tonk Heroes" and "You Asked Me To".
Shaver is also remembered for his hit "Live Forever", co-written by his son Eddy, Robert Duvall performs it in the movie Crazy Heart and it is included in the soundtrack. The song was also performed by The Highwaymen and Joe Ely. Shaver also wrote numerous songs for artists such as Patty Loveless and Willie Nelson.
Shaver continued to release records throughout the 1980s and 1990s; the most notable was the critically acclaimed Tramp On Your Street, released in 1993, which prominently featured the guitar playing of Eddy Shaver.
Shaver's 2007 album country gospel style Everybody's Brother was Grammy-nominated. Many of the songs are duets with artists such as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Tanya Tucker. Musicians playing on the album included Randy Scruggs, Laura Cash and Marty Stuart.
On May 22, 2014, Rolling Stone premiered the single-duet with Willie Nelson "Hard To Be An Outlaw". The album, Long In The Tooth was released on August 5, 2014 by Lightning Rod Records. After a 41-year career, Long in the Tooth became Billy Joe Shaver's first album to chart in Billboard's Top Country Albums, entering the chart at 19. The album also entered the Billboard 200, peaking at 157.
Comedian Norm Macdonald, an avid Shaver fan, occasionally praised his songwriting on his podcast Norm Macdonald Live. In 2018, Shaver appeared as a guest on Macdonald's Netflix program Norm Macdonald Has a Show.
That's What She Said Last Night
Billy Joe Shaver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what she said last night
You′re 'bout to get it alright, alright
That's what she said last night
I went down to Kinkos
To get some faxin′ done
My ex-girlfriend works down there
She said, "Billy, I′m busy
Why don't ya come around back?
I′ll clear the store and lock the doors
We can fax all night"
That's what she said last night
That′s what she said last night
"We can fax all night, alright"
That's what she said last night
I got my other girlfriend
Livin′ in my house
When I got home two days late
She upped and chucked me out
I went and bought her this groovin' watch
To make things up with her
She said, "Billy, I love a good groovin'"
Then she begin to purr
That′s what she said last night
That′s what she said last night
"I love a real good groovin', alright all night"
That′s what she said last night
Oh, step on it
I got a brand new cellphone
AT&T
It was a little bitty thing
Just right for a country boy like me
My girlfriend took a poke at the thing
Then she threw it away
She said, "Billy, I know you're attached to that thing
But it′s too small for me"
That's what she said last night
That′s what she said last night
"You're little thing's too small for me"
That′s what she said last night
That′s what she said last night
That's what she said last night
"You′re 'bout to get it all night, alright"
That′s what she said last night
I tell ya what, next time I buy a cell phone
It's gonna be one of them big ol′ good ones that vibrates
Maybe she'll like that better, I don't know
Some people, you just can′t please ′em
Gonna buy her own damn song, that's what I′ll do
That's what she said last night
That′s what she said last night
"You're about to get it all night, alright"
That′s what she said last night
It's terrible
The lyrics to Billy Joe Shaver's song "That's What She Said Last Night" tell a humorous story of miscommunication and misunderstandings in relationships. The song uses playful innuendos and double entendres to convey the humor.
The song begins by describing a visit to Kinkos, where the singer encounters his ex-girlfriend who invites him to the back of the store for some faxing. The phrase "That's what she said last night" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the unexpected and possibly suggestive nature of the conversation.
Next, the singer reveals that he has another girlfriend living in his house. When he returns home late, she kicks him out. As an attempt to make peace, he buys her a watch, and she expresses her enjoyment of a "good groovin'" with a purr. Again, the phrase "That's what she said last night" is used to add comedic effect.
Finally, the song moves on to a cellphone incident. The singer owns a small cellphone, which his girlfriend finds inadequate and throws away. He contemplates buying a new, larger cellphone that vibrates, hoping to please her. The song ends with the acknowledgement that some people are simply difficult to please.
Overall, the lyrics present a lighthearted and humorous perspective on relationships, highlighting miscommunication, misunderstandings, and the challenges of meeting someone's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
That's what she said last night
She made those exact statements the previous night
You're 'bout to get it alright, alright
She is indicating that the singer is going to receive something (possibly enjoyable) and she approves of it
I went down to Kinkos
The singer visited a Kinkos location
To get some faxin' done
The purpose of the artist's visit was to complete fax-related tasks
My ex-girlfriend works down there
The artist's former romantic partner is employed at the Kinkos location
She was my number one
The ex-girlfriend held a significant and highly regarded position in the singer's life
She said, 'Billy, I'm busy
The ex-girlfriend communicated to the singer that she was occupied with work or other matters
Why don't ya come around back?
The ex-girlfriend suggested that the artist visit a specific area behind the store
I'll clear the store and lock the doors
The ex-girlfriend proposed securing the establishment by removing other individuals and securing the entrance
We can fax all night'
The ex-girlfriend offered the opportunity to engage in uninterrupted faxing activities throughout the night
I got my other girlfriend
The singer has an additional girlfriend
Livin' in my house
This girlfriend is currently residing in the artist's place of residence
When I got home two days late
The singer arrived at home after an absence of two days, indicating a delay in their return
She upped and chucked me out
The girlfriend promptly evicted the singer from the premises
I went and bought her this groovin' watch
As a gesture of reconciliation, the singer purchased a fashionable wristwatch for the girlfriend
To make things up with her
The purpose of acquiring the watch was to mend the damaged relationship with the girlfriend
She said, 'Billy, I love a good groovin'
The girlfriend expressed her fondness for enjoyable and stylish experiences
Then she begin to purr
The girlfriend displayed contentment or satisfaction, potentially symbolized by a purring sound
I got a brand new cellphone
The singer acquired a recently manufactured mobile phone
AT&T
The mobile phone is connected to the AT&T network
It was a little bitty thing
The mobile phone had a small physical size
Just right for a country boy like me
According to the artist's perspective, the small size of the mobile phone was suitable for someone from a rural background
My girlfriend took a poke at the thing
The girlfriend made physical contact with the mobile phone, potentially in a playful or negative manner
Then she threw it away
The girlfriend discarded the mobile phone
She said, 'Billy, I know you're attached to that thing
The girlfriend acknowledged the singer's emotional connection or dependence on the mobile phone
But it's too small for me'
The girlfriend indicated that the small size of the mobile phone was insufficient or undesirable for her
I tell ya what, next time I buy a cell phone
The singer expresses a plan or intention to acquire a new mobile phone in the future
It's gonna be one of them big ol' good ones that vibrates
The intended mobile phone purchase will be a large, high-quality device with vibration capabilities
Maybe she'll like that better, I don't know
The artist entertains the possibility that the girlfriend may prefer the characteristics of the envisioned mobile phone but remains uncertain
Some people, you just can't please 'em
The singer reflects on the challenge of satisfying certain individuals, implying dissatisfaction or unreasonableness on their part
Gonna buy her own damn song, that's what I'll do
The singer intends to purchase a song specifically for the girlfriend, possibly as an act of revenge or independence
It's terrible
The situation or overall experience described is perceived as being disappointing, unpleasant, or distressing
Writer(s): Billy Joe Shaver
Contributed by Gianna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justa Drumbum
That's what she said last night
That's what she said last night
You're about to get it alright alright
That's what she said last night
I went down to kinkos
To get some faxin' done
My ex girlfriend works down there
She was my number one
She said billy I'm busy
Why don't ya come around back
I'll clear the store and lock the doors
We can fax all night
That's what she said last night
That's what she said last night
You're about to get it alright alright
That's what she said last night
I got my other girlfriend
Livin' in my house
When I got home 2 days late
She upped and chucked me out
I went and got her this groovin' watch
To make things up with her
She said billy I love a good groovin'
And then she begin to purr
I got a brand new cellphone
At&t
It was a little bitty thing
Just right for a country boy like thing
My girlfriend took a poke at the thing
Then she threw it away
She said billy I know you're attached to that thing
But it's too small for me
That's what she said last night
That's what she said last night
You're like to get it all night alright
I tell ya what, next time I buy a cell phone, it's gonna be one of them big ol'
Good'uns, that vibrates, maybe she'll like that better, I don't know, some people
You just can't please 'em
That's what she said last night
That's what she said last night
You're about to get it alright alright
That's what she said last night
Hoot Nightowl
Never be another like ole Billy Joe. One of a kind. Rest in peace.
joe mcmillan
RIP Billy Joe.
Your music will live on forever.
Jerry Frederick
Love his band they took good care of our Legend for us. Great bunch of guys very talented.
A_HumbledDisciple_TruthMuzik_HD
Nice comment. Sharp insight.
Vesa Jormakka
What a legend he is still after these years or maybe that´t the reason! It´s very nice to hear and see these kind of artists who just do their things without just looking good. Country fan from FI
Bernhard Jost
What a great guy.
Jeff Scott
Love this music.
Shane Harris
Billy Joe awesome im 47 been listening to you since i was 15 loved it then love your music today i know your living forever missing you thankful you left us with all this great music i know you and Eddie are making beautiful music again now fly high brother ill see you again
Cliff Gresham
How in hell is this man not in the country music hall of fame? Makes no damn sense
what do ya think ?
Billy was Trampled on, more than once in Life & Now they're Still trying to Do Him Wrong. I Recently read, that Willie Nelsons, Sisters Son, "Suddenly" came up with a "Hand Written Will" Saying EVERYTHING Billy Joe worked So hard for all his life, (His Home & His Music!) Goes to Him/Willies Nephew, Instead of Billy Joes ONLY FAMILY, His Sister & her Son !!! DESPITE THE FACT, that Billy Had 2 "LEGAL WILLS", made out with His Attorney ??? Some S.O.B.'s are Rotten to The Core.