Brooks & Dunn's music covers the full range of modern country music, and their chart-topping hits have included everything from the Ronan Keating-penned ballad "The Long Goodbye," through the Rivers Rutherford-written "Ain't Nothing About You," to the gospel music-influenced "Believe." They are also associated with being pioneers of the line dance craze of the mid-1990s. One of their hits, "Boot Scootin' Boogie" - the video for which was made in Tulsa, Oklahoma - is most emblematic of this style.
Both band members write, sing, and play guitar. One or both artists writes or co-writes a large majority of their material, and self-penned successes include the 2004 smash "Red Dirt Road" which the duo wrote together. Both artists have served as song-writers for other artists too. Ronnie Dunn co-wrote country superstar Toby Keith's song "Don't Leave I Think I Love You" which appeared on his 2003 album Shock'n Y'all. Dunn's vocal performances have tended to be released as radio singles: recent hits "You Can't Take the Honkytonk Out of The Girl," "Red Dirt Road," "It's Getting Better All The Time," "That's What It's All About," "Play Something Country," and "Believe" all feature Ronnie Dunn singing lead vocals.
Brooks & Dunn are renowned for their high-energy stage shows. Recent tours have featured Australian country singer Keith Urban, fellow duo Montgomery Gentry, and successful country newcomer Gretchen Wilson. Their latest Deuces Wild tour of 2005 featured fellow country duo Big and Rich. In 2006, the duo opened for the Rolling Stones at their Omaha, Nebraska show.
The duo's songs have been used by President George W Bush as his official campaign songs in both his election and re-election campaigns. In 2000, the then Texas Governor chose the blue-collar line-dance-friending hit of the mid-1990s, "Hard Workin' Man," and in 2004, the President selected the (pre-9/11) hit patriotic "Only in America." Brooks & Dunn both supported the President's re-election campaign, performing at a Republican rally featuring Laura Bush on the eve of the election.
Their latest album is Hillbilly Deluxe which features the number 1 single "Play Something Country."
On August 10, 2009, the duo issued a statement on their website announcing that they were splitting up after 20 years of making music together. The split was amicable, with a final album in September 2009 and a final tour in 2010.
On December 3, 2014, it was announced that Brooks & Dunn will reunite and perform a series of concerts in Las Vegas, Nevada with Reba McEntire throughout mid-late 2015. In 2016, they were selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track featuring the artists performing a medley of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You", which was released in celebration of 50 years of the CMA Awards.
You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl
Brooks & Dunn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First time she'd been home in 'bout a year or two
Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
But that crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes
[Chorus]
She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
But you can't take the honky tonk, can't take the honky tonk
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Out of that girl
Well the dinner broke up at about 11:30
And the boys went off to do what boys will do
Connie said come here girls we need to huddle up
Around something that's a hundred proof
[Chorus]
It's nine a.m. in front of the church
People are going nuts just looking for the groom
And by the way where's Connie
She's run off with that boy in Cancun
[Chorus]
The song You Can't Take the Honky Tonk out of the Girl by Brooks & Dunn tells the story of a woman named Connie who has traveled the world and lives in L.A. but still retains her roots from being raised in a honky tonk. The lyrics describe Connie's return home for a family wedding and how she stands out from the rest of the attendees by not wearing shoes at the rehearsal dinner. The chorus emphasizes Connie's worldly experiences but also affirms that her honky tonk upbringing will always be a part of her identity.
The second verse of the song shows Connie leading her female friends in a toast with "something that's a hundred proof," suggesting that despite her glamorous lifestyle, she remains down-to-earth and enjoys simple pleasures. In the third verse, the chaos of the wedding day ensues, and Connie decides to run away with a man she met in Cancun, once again demonstrating her free-spirited nature and love for adventure.
Overall, the song celebrates the idea that no matter where a person goes or what they do, their roots and upbringing will always be a part of them. Connie's honky tonk heritage is something she can't escape, and it's a part of what makes her unique and interesting.
Line by Line Meaning
Connie came back from her second cousin's wedding
After attending a relative's wedding, Connie returned home after being away for a year or two.
First time she'd been home in 'bout a year or two
Connie had not returned home for nearly two years.
Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
Connie returned home just in time for the wedding's rehearsal dinner.
But that crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes
Connie arrived at the rehearsal dinner without any shoes, acting oddly.
She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
Connie travels frequently between Los Angeles and New York City.
That woman's been around the world
Connie has traveled extensively around the world.
You can take that girl out of the honky tonk
Connie can be taken out of country-style bars and clubs.
But you can't take the honky tonk, can't take the honky tonk
However, Connie's love for the country lifestyle will never truly go away.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Out of that girl
Well the dinner broke up at about 11:30
The dinner ended around 11:30pm.
And the boys went off to do what boys will do
The men went off to do what men typically do.
Connie said come here girls we need to huddle up
Connie called the women together to gather for a drink.
Around something that's a hundred proof
The group gathered around a drink that was very strong.
It's nine a.m. in front of the church
The time is nine in the morning, and they are outside the church.
People are going nuts just looking for the groom
People are frantically searching for the groom.
And by the way where's Connie
They are unsure of Connie's whereabouts.
She's run off with that boy in Cancun
Connie has gone off with a young man to Cancun.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BART ALLMAND, BOB DIPIERO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q
Lyrics: ❤
Yeah, Connie came back for her second cousin's wedding
First time she'd been home in a year or two
Just in time for the rehearsal dinner
That crazy Connie wasn't wearing any shoes
Yeah, she lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl
We let dinner broke up at around 11:30
And boys went out to do what boys do
Connie said, "Hey girls, let's huddle up"
Around something 'bout a hundred proof
She lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl
Well at 9 a.m. out in front of that church
People going nuts looking for the groom
Somebody says, "Hey by the way, where's Connie?"
She's run off with that boy to Cancun
Yeah, she lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman's been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky-tonk
But you can't take the honky-tonk
Take the honky-tonk out of the girl
@michelleallen1664
I chose this song to use when I did my last Georgia Bodybuilding Contest. Broke the mold using country music instead of hard rock & also wore my cowboy hat fit the night show. WHAT AN AWESOME NIGHT!! Crowd😮 went crazy & I won, for the second time! Did the show for my son who died a year ago. RIP, BRIAN ALLEN! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH....Momma
@angelaallen340
Brooks & Dunn.....never gets old
@cameronwitmer
A great voice wasted on cheap plastic drivel like this. Jones he’s dead, he’s been a long time gone.
@ladypaul7932
First, Ronnie looks so relaxed and is having a GREAT time, go Ronnie. This song is one of THOSE songs thats timeless.When it was released I had just had my triplets, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and 2yr old. My husband and I survived on turmoil and the infectious tempo of this song. Unfortunately, I didn't see the video until 2 to 3yrs later when I could breathe.Today all the girls are honor students, but one remind me of Connie."My" Connie is Ruby who never delivers a dull moment.To all parents rearing a Connie, nurture the wild girl because they give much laughter.THANKS TO ALL THE CONNIE'S IN THE WORLD 💪💪💪
@duanemayberry9280
Amazing, just to survive 🤣. Great for ya
@angelaallen340
Ronnie Dunn is great
@RalphieGirl713
My grammy's name was Connie, and she LOVED this song. Brooks and Dunn's greatest hits CD was a must have for every road trip we took ❤
This song brings me so many happy memories. I miss you, Gram ❤
@bootsieboris830
This song , like a lot of other brooks and Dunn songs, randomly pop in my head every now and then love these guys
@hausengell
Met Ronnie Dunn here in Oklahoma. Great guy,he gave me an autograph. No pictures,a lot of hugs.
@toadamine
I sing this to my pups when they catch a squirrel... "you can take the squirrel out of the chompy chomp, but you cant take the chompy chomp, out of the squirrel" 🇺🇸🤣👍