While working at a pawn shop in Austin, Joe Lewis first picked up the guitar. Shortly thereafter, Joe Lewis immersed himself in the local Red River blues/garage scene, recording and performing with Austin luminaries such as the Weary Boys and Walter Daniels. Upon the release of the 2005 Brian Salvi produced Black Joe Lewis and The Cold Breeze EP and the 2007 album Black Joe Lewis, both released on Italian label Shake Yo Ass Records, the band gained critical national acclaim and toured as openers for Spoon and Okkervil River in 2007.
The band signed to Lost Highway Records in 2008. Following the signing and performances at 2008's Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears released a four song EP on January 27, 2009.
Their debut album Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! was released on March 17, 2009. It was produced by Spoon's drummer Jim Eno.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have performed at music festivals including Bonnaroo, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Bumbershoot, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, Musikfest, Latitude Festival, and Splendour in the Grass. The band has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Late Show with David Letterman, Austin City Limits, and Later... with Jools Holland.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears were featured in Echotone, a 2010 documentary about the Austin, Texas music scene.
On Aug 25, 2013, Joe Lewis stated on NPR that he was trying to shed the 'Honeybears' portion of the band's name, and had never intended for it to continue for so long
She's So Scandalous
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing good on her mind
She's so scandalous, man
Mistreated me a lotta times
Got my own telephone
Not a bad man
The mad sense is still on my mind
On top of me
Moving on with my life
'Cause what I got is scandalous
Messing with her all the time
She's so scandalous
Nothing good on her mind
Instrumental
Got me walkin′ ′round town
Carrying your load baby
You got me feeling just like a fool
And everybody around the town I know seen her
They said they seen her with another man
Instrumental
I tried to walk away
Just the other day
But I Iove her just too good
Got me feeling like a fiend
Needing prayer
I just gotta get some more of you babe
'Cause what I got is scandalous
Nothing good on her mind
′Cause what I got is scandalous
Messing with her all the time
Instrumental
Shoulda known by the way we met
That things might turn out like this
Wanna put you back out
On a trip baby, where you belong
What you think about that?
'Cause what I got is scandalous
Nothing good on her mind
′Cause she's so scandalous
Messing with her all the time
Instrumental
Scandalous
Instrumental
The song "She's So Scandalous" by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears is about a woman who is always up to no good. The lyrics suggest that this woman has mistreated the singer multiple times and he is ready to move on from her scandalous behavior. However, he still finds himself drawn to her and unable to fully let her go.
The singer describes feeling like a fool for carrying the woman's burden and being seen with her even though everyone knows she's been with other men. He admits that he loves her despite all of this and feels addicted to her, needing more of her like a fiend. The lyrics suggest that the singer is conflicted about his feelings for this woman, knowing that she's trouble but unable to resist her.
Overall, the song paints a vivid picture of a dysfunctional relationship with a woman who causes nothing but trouble. The singer recognizes that he needs to move on from her, but is torn by his feelings of love and addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
She's so scandalous
The woman in question is highly controversial and has a notorious reputation.
Nothing good on her mind
She is not a good person and has a negative agenda.
She's so scandalous, man
The singer is frustrated and annoyed by the woman's behavior.
Mistreated me a lotta times
The woman has treated the artist poorly on numerous occasions.
Got my own telephone
The artist has his own phone and is not dependent on the woman for communication.
Not a bad man
The singer is a decent person who does not deserve mistreatment.
The mad sense is still on my mind
The negative feelings caused by the woman's behavior still affect the singer.
And don't nothing get too more
The artist wants to avoid the woman and move on with his life.
On top of me
The woman is causing stress and trouble in the artist's life.
Moving on with my life
The artist wants to move forward and leave the woman behind.
'Cause what I got is scandalous
The singer's relationship with the woman is problematic and fraught with issues.
Messing with her all the time
The woman's behavior constantly causes problems for the artist.
Got me walkin' 'round town
The woman's behavior has caused the singer to feel lost and aimless.
Carrying your load baby
The singer feels burdened and responsible for the woman's problems.
You got me feeling just like a fool
The woman's actions have made the singer feel foolish and embarrassed.
And everybody around the town I know seen her
The woman's reputation is well-known and has affected how others perceive her and the artist.
They said they seen her with another man
Rumors suggest that the woman is unfaithful and disloyal.
I tried to walk away
The singer has attempted to end the relationship.
Just the other day
The singer's recent attempt to leave the woman did not work out.
But I Iove her just too good
Despite the problems, the artist still has strong feelings for the woman.
Got me feeling like a fiend
The artist is struggling with addiction-like feelings toward the woman.
Needing prayer
The artist recognizes that the situation is unhealthy and needs divine intervention to overcome it.
I just gotta get some more of you babe
The singer is struggling to resist the woman's pull and wants to continue the relationship.
Shoulda known by the way we met
The artist realizes that the initial spark of the relationship was problematic and could lead to trouble.
That things might turn out like this
The singer acknowledges that the relationship has turned sour.
Wanna put you back out
The singer wants to end the relationship and put the woman out of his life.
On a trip baby, where you belong
The singer suggests that the woman's place is not with him and that she should leave.
What you think about that?
The artist wants the woman's opinion on ending the relationship.
Scandalous
The word scandalous is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the woman's negative reputation and actions.
Instrumental
This line is used when there is no lyrics being sung but only music being played.
Writer(s): Joseph David Lewis
Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jameslunn601
"I tried to walk away the other day, but Her Lovin is just TOO GOOD"
@janitorialjargon2411
Bro this band is hip hop sample gold! Everything could be turned into some fire on god
@NelsonAVega
OMFG I fucking love that actual music is finally coming back.
@TheCelticGoldsmith
Saw them open for Sharron Jones and the Dap Kings. Man that was Lucky!
@mrstevestoffel
not even a Gillette razor could make something this smooth
@bangzoom8180
In the groove music is NOT DEAD...thank you Black Joe and Lee Fields!
@jonathanwebb8380
These dudes are wonderful. I really want to see them live.
@jkbenedict
My bowels just rocked the funk out of my seat. DAMN!
@b4eyego
Seriously sad we missed these guys Sounds great..would have been great live
@robertdominguez6002
this whole album is dank